that you can later download and analyze. Due to implementation limitations, we
always take the latest SAST artifact available.
### Configure SAST in the UI **(ULTIMATE)**
### Configure SAST in the UI
You can enable and configure SAST in the UI, either with default settings, or with customizations.
Use the method that best meets your needs.
-[Configure SAST in the UI with default settings](#configure-sast-in-the-ui-with-default-settings)
-[Configure SAST in the UI with customizations](#configure-sast-in-the-ui-with-customizations)
### Configure SAST in the UI with default settings **(FREE)**
> [Introduced](https://about.gitlab.com/releases/2021/02/22/gitlab-13-9-released/#security-configuration-page-for-all-users) in GitLab 13.9
To enable and configure SAST with default settings:
1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Projects** and find your project.
1. On the left sidebar, select **Security & Compliance** > **Configuration**.
1. In the SAST section, select `Enable via MR`.
1. Review the draft MR that enables SAST with the default recommended settings in the
`.gitlab-ci.yml` file.
1. Merge the MR to enable SAST. You should see SAST jobs run in that MR's pipeline.
NOTE:
The configuration tool works best with no existing `.gitlab-ci.yml` file, or with a minimal
configuration file. If you have a complex GitLab configuration file it may not be parsed
successfully, and an error may occur.
### Configure SAST in the UI with customizations **(ULTIMATE)**
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/3659) in GitLab Ultimate 13.3.
> - [Improved](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/232862) in GitLab Ultimate 13.4.
> - [Improved](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/3635) in GitLab Ultimate 13.5.
You can enable and configure SAST with a basic configuration using the **SAST Configuration**
page:
To enable and configure SAST with customizations:
1. From the project's home page, go to **Security & Compliance** > **Configuration** in the
left sidebar.
1. If the project does not have a `.gitlab-ci.yml` file, click **Enable** in the Static Application Security Testing (SAST) row, otherwise click **Configure**.
1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Projects** and find your project.
1. On the left sidebar, select **Security & Compliance > Configuration**.
1. If the project does not have a `.gitlab-ci.yml` file, select **Enable** in the Static Application
Custom values are stored in the `.gitlab-ci.yml` file. For CI/CD variables not in the SAST Configuration page, their values are left unchanged. Default values are inherited from the GitLab SAST template.
Custom values are stored in the `.gitlab-ci.yml` file. For CI/CD variables not in the SAST
Configuration page, their values are left unchanged. Default values are inherited from the GitLab
SAST template.
1. Optionally, expand the **SAST analyzers** section, select individual [SAST analyzers](analyzers.md) and enter custom analyzer values.
1. Click **Create Merge Request**.
1. Optionally, expand the **SAST analyzers** section, select individual
[SAST analyzers](analyzers.md) and enter custom analyzer values.
1. Select **Create Merge Request**.
1. Review and merge the merge request.
NOTE:
The configuration tool works best with no existing `.gitlab-ci.yml` file, or with a minimal
configuration file. If you have a complex GitLab configuration file it may not be parsed
successfully, and an error may occur.
### Customizing the SAST settings
The SAST settings can be changed through [CI/CD variables](#available-cicd-variables)