# GitLab

{% hint style="warning" %}
You must use the `git@...` or `ssh:...` version of your git URL, not the `https://...` version. Paradime uses the SSH protocol to clone repositories, so Paradime will be unable to clone repos supplied with the HTTP protocol.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
We advise creating a service account user in your GitHub account like **`paradime.gitlab.maintainer@yourcompany.com`** with write access to the repository and let this user own the deploy key.
{% endhint %}

To add a deploy key to a GitLab account, navigate to the project’s settings of your GitLab repository.

Next, expand the deploy keys section and paste in the deploy key generated by Paradime for your repository, be sure to check *"Grant write permissions"*. After saving this SSH key, Paradime will be able to read and write files in your GitLab repository.

{% embed url="<https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/deploy_keys/>" %}

<figure><img src="https://2337193041-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FHET0AD04uHMgdeLAjptq%2Fuploads%2Fc6TCZ2Zlwi4fmThWITDQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2d4a01a9-9391-4ebc-853d-5ced2879bd27" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.paradime.io/app-help/documentation/settings/git-repositories/importing-a-repository/gitlab.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.