Bulk Repository Creation
The Git Class Repositories tool is intended for all instructors. It enables the bulk creation of student repositories for any course.
Key use cases include:
- Creating repositories for students based on a course in a semester, by tutorial group, or by specifying individual users.
- Defining a source project from which student repositories will be created.
- Synchronizing any branch from a specified repository into individual student repositories.
- e.g., for distributing assignments.
- and more.
No downloads or installation are required. The entire process runs through automation within the faculty GitLab.
Prerequisites
For the initial setup, contact the ICT department’s helpdesk.
Example Usage in the BI-PS2 Course
One of the courses using bulk repository creation is BI-PS2. The course is represented in GitLab as a group. The group contains subgroups and repositories:
- Subgroups (A) are generated automatically and contain individual student repositories.
- The repository (B) named control is used to configure bulk repository creation. It may remain hidden from regular users.
After opening a subgroup, individual student repositories can be seen.
Inside the control repository, there is a configuration file called student-projects.yml. Its structure is described in detail in the example configuration file.
Re-running the Process
The pipeline for creating or updating repositories can also be started manually without creating additional commits. This can be useful, for example, when repositories need to be created for students who enrolled in the course later.
In the control repository, navigate to CI/CD › Pipelines, click Run Pipeline, and then select Create pipeline.