<commit_before>---
title: "GitLab 8.17 released with xyz and abc features"
categories: release
author: <NAME>
author_twitter: Jobvo
image_title: '/images/8_17/pic.jpg'
description: GitLab 8.17 released with xyz and abc features
---

_Job writes introductory paragrahs here_

_Job writes about the MVP here_

## Squash and merge

To improve code collaboration, we suggest teams share their merge requests as soon as possible in [WIP form](https://docs.gitlab.com/ce/user/project/merge_requests/work_in_progress_merge_requests.html). 
This naturally results in many commits as the merge request evolves.
Developers will then often squash the commits manually on their local machine before merging into the target branch.
With 8.17, you can now squash and merge with a single click in GitLab itself, by simply selecting the option in the merge request.
[Learn more](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/merge_requests/squash_and_merge.html).

![Squash and merge in GitLab 8.17](/images/8_17/squash_edit_form.png){: .shadow}

## Streamlining project settings and navigation

We are continuing to streamline project settings and navigation, which we [first started in 8.16](https://about.gitlab.com/2017/01/22/gitlab-8-16-released/).
We've combined the existing `Runners`, `Variables`, `Triggers`, and `CI/CD Pipelines` menu items into one simply called `CI/CD Pipelines`.
Navigating to `CI/CD Pipelines` will show you one page with all the settings that were previously spread across the 4 original pages.

![Improved settings navigation in GitLab 8.17](/images/8_17/settings_new.png){: .shadow}

## Audit Users (EE Only)

GitLab Enterprise Edition features a new capability to create users with an `Audit` role. This role allows the user read-only access to all projects, groups and users.

## Impersonation Tokens

Administrators can now retrieve an Impersonation Token for any user, which allows API-based applications to authenticate as other users without needing to go through the cumbersome oAuth process.
<commit_msg>Added additional platform changes to the blog post.<commit_after>---
title: "GitLab 8.17 released with xyz and abc features"
categories: release
author: <NAME>
author_twitter: Jobvo
image_title: '/images/8_17/pic.jpg'
description: GitLab 8.17 released with xyz and abc features
---

_Job writes introductory paragrahs here_

_Job writes about the MVP here_

## GitLab Pages is now free for everyone

[GitLab Pages](https://pages.gitlab.io/) allows you to host static websites straight from GitLab, with any kind of static site generator. Previously this functionality was only available on GitLab.com and GitLab Enterprise Edition. After receiving [over 100 votes](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/issues/14605) we decided to make GitLab Pages available to everyone, for free!

## Squash and merge

To improve code collaboration, we suggest teams share their merge requests as soon as possible in [WIP form](https://docs.gitlab.com/ce/user/project/merge_requests/work_in_progress_merge_requests.html).
This naturally results in many commits as the merge request evolves.
Developers will then often squash the commits manually on their local machine before merging into the target branch.
With 8.17, you can now squash and merge with a single click in GitLab itself, by simply selecting the option in the merge request.
[Learn more](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/merge_requests/squash_and_merge.html).

![Squash and merge in GitLab 8.17](/images/8_17/squash_edit_form.png){: .shadow}

## Streamlining project settings and navigation

We are continuing to streamline project settings and navigation, which we [first started in 8.16](https://about.gitlab.com/2017/01/22/gitlab-8-16-released/).
We've combined the existing `Runners`, `Variables`, `Triggers`, and `CI/CD Pipelines` menu items into one simply called `CI/CD Pipelines`.
Navigating to `CI/CD Pipelines` will show you one page with all the settings that were previously spread across the 4 original pages.

![Improved settings navigation in GitLab 8.17](/images/8_17/settings_new.png){: .shadow}

## Audit Users (EE only)

GitLab Enterprise Edition features a new capability to create users with an `Audit` role. This role allows the user read-only access to all projects, groups and users.

## Configureable mirror synchronisation time (EE only)

[Repository mirroring](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/workflow/repository_mirroring.html) is a great feature in GitLab Enterprise Edition that allows you to synchronise remote repositories with your repository on GitLab. Previously, synchronisation happened every hour; you can now [adjust this](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/workflow/repository_mirroring.html#adjusting-synchronization-times) for more fine-grained synchronisation windows.

## Impersonation Tokens

Administrators can now retrieve an Impersonation Token for any user, which allows API-based applications to authenticate as other users without needing to go through the cumbersome oAuth process.

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