The docs page linked have git alias suggestions, but perhaps "git push -o gitlab.help"? And that operation would be free to abort the push in the same way that "git commit -h" doesn't actually execute the commit. I'd guess returning like the 5 most common options and then the URL to the help page would be stellar

I lot of my problem is that I don't recall how "-o ci.varables" get merged; I have to say:

> now, is it "-o ci.variables=alpha=beta,charlie=delta" or "-o ci.variables=a=b -o ci.variables=c=d"?

.. and then that syntax gets jumbled up in my head with the "&var[alpha]=beta" syntax from the "/-/pipelines/new" URL so that just makes it worse

And all of this is a fantastic discussion for someone who knows that subsystem exists, but just can't recall offhand the specifics -- but as for how a new user to GitLab would know about such a thing -- maybe at the bottom of the "/-/pipelines/new" page, show the equivalent "git push -o" syntax that would reproduce the pipeline request with its variables?

And maybe the same at the bottom of the "create merge request" page, although that could be super chatty when multiplied by the number of times that create merge request page must be visited

Even if none of this sounds appealing, I do sincerely appreciate you asking. It's this level of customer-focus and strive for improvement that makes me absolutely love GitLab!