CodeRabbit Install & Auth
Overview
CodeRabbit is an AI-powered code review platform. It installs as a GitHub App (or GitLab integration) and automatically reviews pull requests. There is no SDK to install -- you configure it via a .coderabbit.yaml file and interact through PR comments. Optionally, install the CLI for local pre-commit reviews.
Prerequisites
- GitHub organization admin or GitLab group owner permissions
- A repository to enable CodeRabbit on
- (Optional) Shell access for CLI installation
Instructions
Step 1: Install the CodeRabbit GitHub App
1. Navigate to https://github.com/apps/coderabbitai
2. Click "Install" and select your organization
3. Choose repository access:
- "All repositories" for org-wide coverage
- "Only select repositories" for targeted setup
4. Authorize the requested permissions (read code, write PR comments)
5. You will be redirected to app.coderabbit.ai to complete onboarding
Step 2: Verify Installation
set -euo pipefail
# Confirm the GitHub App is installed on your repo
gh api repos/YOUR_ORG/YOUR_REPO/installation --jq '.app_slug'
# Expected output: coderabbitai
Step 3: Create Base Configuration
# .coderabbit.yaml (place in repository root)
language: "en-US"
reviews:
profile: "assertive" # Options: chill, assertive
request_changes_workflow: false
high_level_summary: true
poem: false
review_status: true
collapse_walkthrough: false
sequence_diagrams: true
auto_review:
enabled: true
drafts: false
base_branches:
- main
- develop
chat:
auto_reply: true
Step 4: Install the CLI (Optional)
set -euo pipefail
# Install CodeRabbit CLI for local pre-commit reviews
curl -fsSL https://cli.coderabbit.ai/install.sh | sh
# Verify installation
cr --version
Step 5: Trigger Your First Review
set -euo pipefail
# Create a test branch and PR to verify CodeRabbit is active
git checkout -b test/coderabbit-verification
echo "// test change" >> src/index.ts
git add src/index.ts && git commit -m "test: verify coderabbit integration"
git push -u origin test/coderabbit-verification
gh pr create --title "test: verify CodeRabbit" --body "Testing CodeRabbit integration"
# CodeRabbit will post a review within 2-5 minutes
# Check the PR for the walkthrough comment and line-level feedback
GitLab Setup (Alternative)
1. Navigate to app.coderabbit.ai and sign in with GitLab
2. Select your GitLab group during onboarding
3. Provide a GitLab access token with api and read_repository scopes
4. CodeRabbit automatically configures the webhook:
https://coderabbit.ai/gitlabHandler
5. Place .coderabbit.yaml in repository root (same format as GitHub)
Output
- CodeRabbit GitHub App installed on selected repositories
.coderabbit.yamlconfiguration file in repository root- (Optional) CLI installed for local reviews
- First automated review posted on a test PR
Error Handling
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| No review on PR | App not installed on repo | Add repo in GitHub App settings > Repository access |
| "Not accessible" error | Missing permissions | Reinstall GitHub App with correct org/repo selection |
| Review only on some PRs | PR author has no seat | Assign a seat at app.coderabbit.ai > Subscription |
| CLI install fails | Unsupported platform | Check system requirements at coderabbit.ai/cli |
| GitLab webhook missing | Token scope insufficient | Ensure token has api and read_repository scopes |
Seat Management
CodeRabbit charges per seat (developer who creates PRs). To manage seats:
1. Go to app.coderabbit.ai > Organization > Subscription
2. Assign seats to specific developers, or set "Active committers" mode
3. Bot accounts (dependabot, renovate) should NOT consume seats
4. Only users who open PRs need seats; reviewers do not
Resources
- CodeRabbit Getting Started
- GitHub App Installation
- GitLab Integration
- CodeRabbit CLI
- Configuration Reference
Next Steps
Proceed to coderabbit-hello-world for your first customized review configuration.