356 lines
14 KiB
Markdown
356 lines
14 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
stage: Create
|
|
group: Code Review
|
|
info: "To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments"
|
|
type: reference, howto
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Threads **(FREE)**
|
|
|
|
GitLab encourages communication through comments, threads, and suggestions.
|
|
|
|
For example, you can create a comment in the following places:
|
|
|
|
- Issues
|
|
- Epics
|
|
- Merge requests
|
|
- Snippets
|
|
- Commits
|
|
- Commit diffs
|
|
|
|
There are standard comments, and you also have the option to create a comment
|
|
in the form of a thread. A comment can also be [turned into a thread](#start-a-thread-by-replying-to-a-standard-comment)
|
|
when it receives a reply.
|
|
|
|
The comment area supports [Markdown](../markdown.md) and [quick actions](../project/quick_actions.md). You can edit your own
|
|
comment at any time, and anyone with [Maintainer access level](../permissions.md) or
|
|
higher can also edit a comment made by someone else.
|
|
|
|
You can also reply to a comment notification email to reply to the comment if
|
|
[Reply by email](../../administration/reply_by_email.md) is configured for your GitLab instance. Replying to a standard comment
|
|
creates another standard comment. Replying to a threaded comment creates a reply in the thread. Email replies support
|
|
[Markdown](../markdown.md) and [quick actions](../project/quick_actions.md), just as if you replied from the web.
|
|
|
|
NOTE:
|
|
There is a limit of 5,000 comments for every object, for example: issue, epic, and merge request.
|
|
|
|
## Resolvable comments and threads
|
|
|
|
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/-/merge_requests/5022) in GitLab 8.11.
|
|
> - Resolvable threads can be added only to merge request diffs.
|
|
> - Resolving comments individually was [removed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/28750) in GitLab 13.6.
|
|
|
|
Thread resolution helps keep track of progress during planning or code review.
|
|
|
|
Every thread in merge requests, commits, commit diffs, and
|
|
snippets is initially displayed as unresolved. They can then be individually resolved by anyone
|
|
with at least Developer access to the project or by the author of the change being reviewed.
|
|
If the thread has been resolved and a non-member un-resolves their own response,
|
|
this also unresolves the discussion thread.
|
|
If the non-member then resolves this same response, this resolves the discussion thread.
|
|
|
|
The need to resolve threads prevents you from forgetting to address feedback and lets you
|
|
hide threads that are no longer relevant.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
### Commit threads in the context of a merge request
|
|
|
|
For reviewers with commit-based workflow, it may be useful to add threads to
|
|
specific commit diffs in the context of a merge request. These threads
|
|
persist through a commit ID change when:
|
|
|
|
- force-pushing after a rebase
|
|
- amending a commit
|
|
|
|
To create a commit diff thread:
|
|
|
|
1. Navigate to the merge request **Commits** tab. A list of commits that
|
|
constitute the merge request are shown.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
1. Navigate to a specific commit, select the **Changes** tab (where you
|
|
are only be presented diffs from the selected commit), and leave a comment.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
1. Any threads created this way are shown in the merge request's
|
|
**Discussions** tab and are resolvable.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
Threads created this way only appear in the original merge request
|
|
and not when navigating to that commit under your project's
|
|
**Repository > Commits** page.
|
|
|
|
NOTE:
|
|
When a link of a commit reference is found in a thread inside a merge
|
|
request, it is automatically converted to a link in the context of the
|
|
current merge request.
|
|
|
|
### Marking a comment or thread as resolved
|
|
|
|
You can mark a thread as resolved by selecting the **Resolve thread**
|
|
button at the bottom of the thread.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
Alternatively, you can mark each comment as resolved individually.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
### Move all unresolved threads in a merge request to an issue
|
|
|
|
To continue all open threads from a merge request in a new issue, select
|
|
**Resolve all threads in new issue**.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
Alternatively, when your project only accepts merge requests [when all threads
|
|
are resolved](#only-allow-merge-requests-to-be-merged-if-all-threads-are-resolved),
|
|
an **open an issue to resolve them later** link displays in the merge
|
|
request widget.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
This prepares an issue with its content referring to the merge request and
|
|
the unresolved threads.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
Hitting **Create issue** causes all threads to be marked as resolved and
|
|
add a note referring to the newly created issue.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
You can now proceed to merge the merge request from the UI.
|
|
|
|
### Moving a single thread to a new issue
|
|
|
|
To create a new issue for a single thread, you can use the **Resolve this
|
|
thread in a new issue** button.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
This directs you to a new issue prefilled with the content of the
|
|
thread, similar to the issues created for delegating multiple
|
|
threads at once. Saving the issue marks the thread as resolved and
|
|
add a note to the merge request thread referencing the new issue.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
### Only allow merge requests to be merged if all threads are resolved
|
|
|
|
You can prevent merge requests from being merged until all threads are
|
|
resolved.
|
|
|
|
Navigate to your project's settings page, select the
|
|
**Only allow merge requests to be merged if all threads are resolved** check
|
|
box and hit **Save** for the changes to take effect.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
From now on, you can't merge from the UI until all threads
|
|
are resolved.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
### Automatically resolve merge request diff threads when they become outdated
|
|
|
|
You can automatically resolve merge request diff threads on lines modified
|
|
with a new push.
|
|
|
|
Navigate to your project's settings page, select the **Automatically resolve
|
|
merge request diffs threads on lines changed with a push** check box and hit
|
|
**Save** for the changes to take effect.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
From now on, any threads on a diff are resolved by default if a push
|
|
makes that diff section outdated. Threads on lines that don't change and
|
|
top-level resolvable threads are not automatically resolved.
|
|
|
|
## Commit threads
|
|
|
|
You can add comments and threads to a particular commit under your
|
|
project's **Repository > Commits**.
|
|
|
|
WARNING:
|
|
Threads created this way are lost if the commit ID changes after a
|
|
force push.
|
|
|
|
## Threaded discussions
|
|
|
|
While resolvable threads are only available to merge request diffs,
|
|
threads can also be added without a diff. You can start a specific
|
|
thread which looks like a thread, on issues, commits, snippets, and
|
|
merge requests.
|
|
|
|
To start a threaded discussion, select the **Comment** button toggle dropdown,
|
|
select **Start thread**, and then select **Start thread** when you're ready to
|
|
post the comment.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
This posts a comment with a single thread to allow you to discuss specific
|
|
comments in greater detail.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
## Image threads
|
|
|
|
Sometimes a thread is revolved around an image. With image threads,
|
|
you can easily target a specific coordinate of an image and start a thread
|
|
around it. Image threads are available in merge requests and commit detail views.
|
|
|
|
To start an image thread, hover your mouse over the image. Your mouse pointer
|
|
should convert into an icon, indicating that the image is available for commenting.
|
|
Simply click anywhere on the image to create a new thread.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
After you select the image, a comment form is displayed that would be the start
|
|
of your thread. After you save your comment, a new badge is displayed on
|
|
top of your image. This badge represents your thread.
|
|
|
|
NOTE:
|
|
This thread badge is typically associated with a number that is only used as a visual
|
|
reference for each thread. In the merge request thread tab,
|
|
this badge is indicated with a comment icon, because each thread renders a new
|
|
image section.
|
|
|
|
Image threads also work on diffs that replace an existing image. In this diff view
|
|
mode, you can toggle the different view modes and still see the thread point badges.
|
|
|
|
| 2-up | Swipe | Onion Skin |
|
|
|:-----------:|:----------:|:----------:|
|
|
|  |  |  |
|
|
|
|
Image threads also work well with resolvable threads. Resolved threads
|
|
on diffs (not on the merge request discussion tab) appear collapsed on page
|
|
load and have a corresponding badge counter to match the counter on the image.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
## Lock discussions
|
|
|
|
For large projects with many contributors, it may be useful to stop threads
|
|
in issues or merge requests in these scenarios:
|
|
|
|
- The project maintainer has already resolved the thread and it is not helpful
|
|
for continued feedback.
|
|
- The project maintainer has already directed new conversation
|
|
to newer issues or merge requests.
|
|
- The people participating in the thread are trolling, abusive, or otherwise
|
|
being unproductive.
|
|
|
|
In these cases, a user with Developer permissions or higher in the project can lock (and unlock)
|
|
an issue or a merge request, using the "Lock" section in the sidebar. For issues,
|
|
a user with Reporter permissions can lock (and unlock).
|
|
|
|
| Unlock | Lock |
|
|
| :-----------: | :----------: |
|
|
|  |  |
|
|
|
|
System notes indicate locking and unlocking.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
In a locked issue or merge request, only team members can add new comments and
|
|
edit existing comments. Non-team members are restricted from adding or editing comments.
|
|
|
|
| Team member | Non-team member |
|
|
| :-----------: | :----------: |
|
|
|  |  |
|
|
|
|
Additionally, locked issues and merge requests can't be reopened.
|
|
|
|
## Confidential Comments
|
|
|
|
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/207473) in GitLab 13.9.
|
|
> - [Deployed behind a feature flag](../feature_flags.md), disabled by default.
|
|
> - Disabled on GitLab.com.
|
|
> - Not recommended for production use.
|
|
> - To use in GitLab self-managed instances, ask a GitLab administrator to enable it. **(FREE SELF)**
|
|
|
|
WARNING:
|
|
This feature might not be available to you. Check the **version history** note above for details.
|
|
|
|
When creating a comment, you can make it visible only to the project members (users with Reporter and higher permissions).
|
|
|
|
To create a confidential comment, select the **Make this comment confidential** check box before you submit it.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
## Filtering notes
|
|
|
|
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/-/issues/26723) in GitLab 11.5.
|
|
|
|
For issues with many comments like activity notes and user comments, sometimes
|
|
finding useful information can be hard. There is a way to filter comments from single notes and threads for merge requests and issues.
|
|
|
|
From a merge request's **Discussion** tab, or from an epic/issue overview, find the filter's dropdown menu on the right side of the page, from which you can choose one of the following options:
|
|
|
|
- **Show all activity**: displays all user comments and system notes
|
|
(issue updates, mentions from other issues, changes to the description, etc).
|
|
- **Show comments only**: only displays user comments in the list.
|
|
- **Show history only**: only displays activity notes.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
After you select one of the filters in a given issue or merge request, GitLab saves
|
|
your preference, so that it persists when you visit the same page again
|
|
from any device you're logged into.
|
|
|
|
## Start a thread by replying to a standard comment
|
|
|
|
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/-/issues/30299) in GitLab 11.9
|
|
|
|
To reply to a standard (non-thread) comment, you can use the **Reply to comment** button.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
The **Reply to comment** button is only displayed if you have permissions to reply to an existing thread, or start a thread from a standard comment.
|
|
|
|
Selecting the **Reply to comment** button brings the reply area into focus and you can type your reply.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
Replying to a non-thread comment converts the non-thread comment to a
|
|
thread after the reply is submitted. This conversion is considered an edit
|
|
to the original comment, so a note about when it was last edited appears underneath it.
|
|
|
|
This feature exists only for issues, merge requests, and epics. Commits, snippets, and merge request diff threads are
|
|
not supported yet.
|
|
|
|
## Assign an issue to the commenting user
|
|
|
|
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/191455) in GitLab 13.1.
|
|
|
|
You can assign an issue to a user who made a comment.
|
|
|
|
In the comment, select the **More Actions** menu, and then select **Assign to commenting user**.
|
|
|
|
Select the button again to unassign the commenter.
|
|
|
|

|
|
|
|
## Enable or disable Confidential Comments **(FREE SELF)**
|
|
|
|
Confidential Comments is under development and not ready for production use. It is
|
|
deployed behind a feature flag that is **disabled by default**.
|
|
[GitLab administrators with access to the GitLab Rails console](../../administration/feature_flags.md)
|
|
can enable it.
|
|
|
|
To enable it:
|
|
|
|
```ruby
|
|
Feature.enable(:confidential_notes)
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
To disable it:
|
|
|
|
```ruby
|
|
Feature.disable(:confidential_notes)
|
|
```
|