How to connect a GitLab MCP to Cursor (4 steps)

Merge's blog post outlines how to connect GitLab with the Merge Agent Handler's GitLab MCP server to facilitate seamless access to GitLab data without leaving the Cursor environment. The setup involves installing the Merge CLI, authenticating it with a Merge Agent Handler account, and configuring it to communicate with GitLab through Cursor. This connection allows developers to query real-time data such as issue structures, merge request metadata, and CI job outputs directly within their development workflows, improving efficiency and accuracy in automation and coding tasks. The Merge Agent Handler provides centralized GitLab authentication, eliminating the need for individual tokens per agent and offering precise control over agent operations. This method contrasts with self-hosted MCP servers, which require managing personal access tokens and can lead to deployment challenges. The integration aims to enhance data accessibility for developers working on automation, integration, or tooling projects, ensuring that their code interacts with authentic operational data from GitLab.