Automatic rebase before merge

In previous versions of GitLab, if your project used the semi-linear or fast-forward merge method, you had to complete an additional step when the source branch fell behind the target branch. To merge, you had to select Rebase, wait for it to complete, then return to the merge request to select Merge. That two-step handoff added friction to every merge.

You can now select Enable automatic rebase prior to merge in your project's merge request settings. When the setting is on, GitLab rebases the source branch onto the target branch at merge time and you can merge with a single action. If it's important to preserve GPG signatures on individual commits, you can leave the setting off.