Configure permissions in the source control repository

When working with source control repositories in a DevOps environment, configuring permissions is an essential aspect of managing access and maintaining security. By setting up appropriate permissions, you ensure that team members have the right level of access they need to perform their tasks without compromising the integrity of the codebase. In this article, we’ll explore how to configure permissions in a source control repository, specifically examining Microsoft Azure DevOps.

Azure DevOps provides a robust set of features for version control, including support for both Git and Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC). Regardless of the version control system you choose, you can define permissions at the repository level, branch level, and specific file level.

Configuring Permissions at the Repository Level

1. Navigate to the Azure DevOps project containing your repository.
2. Go to the “Repos” section and select your repository.
3. Click on the “Settings” tab and then choose “Repositories” from the submenu.
4. In the repositories list, select the repository for which you want to configure permissions.
5. On the right-hand side, click on the “Security” tab.

At this point, you have the option to configure security permissions for different user groups or individual users. Azure DevOps provides several pre-defined security groups such as “Contributors,” “Readers,” and “Administrators.” You can add users or groups to these pre-defined groups or create your custom group based on your requirements.

To grant permissions to a group or user, click on the “Add” button and select the desired group or user. Then, choose the appropriate access level for the selected group or user. Access levels include “None,” “Read,” “Contribute,” and “Administer.”

Configuring Permissions at the Branch Level

1. Open your repository in Azure DevOps.
2. Navigate to the “Repos” section and select the repository containing your desired branch.
3. Click on the “Branches” tab and select the branch for which you want to configure permissions.
4. On the right-hand side, click on the “Security” tab.

Here, you can assign permissions to groups or users similar to the repository level. However, the permissions granted at the branch level will override the repository-level permissions for the selected branch.

Configuring Permissions at the File Level

1. Open your repository in Azure DevOps.
2. Navigate to the “Repos” section and select the repository containing your target file.
3. Browse to the specific file for which you want to configure permissions.
4. Click on the three-dot icon next to the file and select “Manage permissions.”

Similar to repository and branch-level permissions, you can now add users or groups, specify access levels, and control the permissions at the file level.

Remember that permissions granted at higher levels, such as repository or branch, are inherited by lower levels. For example, if a user has read access at the repository level, they will have the same read access at the branch and file levels unless explicitly specified otherwise.

By configuring permissions in the source control repository, you ensure that access to sensitive code and files is controlled and regulated. This helps maintain the integrity of the codebase while allowing collaboration among team members.

In conclusion, configuring permissions in a source control repository is an essential aspect of managing a DevOps environment. Azure DevOps provides a comprehensive set of features to configure permissions at the repository, branch, and file levels. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively manage access and maintain security in your DevOps workflows.