Which user role in GitLab generally has the highest level of access?

In GitLab, the role of Owner provides the highest level of access to a project or group. This role is designed for users who need complete control over the project settings and permissions. Owners have the ability to manage the project beyond just contribution capabilities; they can change settings, add and remove users, and handle billing information if applicable.

Owners can perform all actions available within GitLab, including those that are necessary for managing integrations, CI/CD configurations, and repository settings. This access is crucial for designing and maintaining the project’s structure and governance. Therefore, assigning the Owner role is reserved for individuals who are responsible for the overall direction and management of the project, ensuring that they can make any necessary changes without restriction.

In contrast, the other roles like Guest, Developer, and Maintainer have more limited permissions tailored to specific tasks. For example, Guests typically have minimal access, such as viewing project information or issues, whereas Developers can contribute code but do not have the same level of administrative authority as Maintainers, who can manage the project but still have some limitations compared to Owners. Hence, the Owner role stands out as the one with the highest level of access in GitLab.