diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1c44827..e78c636 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,6 +5,14 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/).
This project uses [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org).
+## [0.2.24] - 2026-06-25
+
+### Added
+
+- **`rules:needs:` validation (GL044)** — validates jobs listed in `rules:needs:` overrides (GitLab CI 16.4+). Each entry must reference a job that exists in the pipeline; `optional: true` entries that reference missing jobs are downgraded to warnings (same behaviour as GL027 for top-level `needs:`). Cross-pipeline needs (maps with a `pipeline:` key) are ignored. Skipped jobs are excluded when a context is provided. `glint explain GL044` documents the rule with a bad-YAML example and fix.
+
+- **`Rule.Needs` model field** — `rules:` entries now parse their `needs:` key into `model.Rule.Needs []any`, making the per-rule needs list available for validation and future evaluation.
+
## [0.2.23] - 2026-06-25
### Added
diff --git a/FEATURES.md b/FEATURES.md
index 4915f23..9cc618c 100644
--- a/FEATURES.md
+++ b/FEATURES.md
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ description, bad-YAML example, and fix.
| GL029 | ERR | Circular dependency in `needs:` graph |
| GL030 | ERR | `dependencies:` references a job that doesn't exist |
| GL031 | ERR | `dependencies:` references a job in the same or a later stage |
+| GL044 | ERR/WARN | `rules:needs:` references a job that doesn't exist (WARN when `optional: true`) |
### Expression & reachability
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4c3bf30..f4abd06 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
-
+
> **Disclaimer:** This tool was built through iterative AI-assisted development with [Claude](https://claude.ai). It is experimental, incomplete, and not intended for production use. Coverage of GitLab CI keywords is best-effort and may lag behind GitLab's evolving spec. Use it at your own discretion — no correctness guarantees are made. Contributions and bug reports are welcome.
diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md
index 5574dcf..005b9b3 100644
--- a/ROADMAP.md
+++ b/ROADMAP.md
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ The SVG renderer and terminal tree cover the basic layout. These would bring it
## Reliability and developer experience
-- ~~**Structured rule IDs**~~ — ✓ shipped post-v0.2.0; GL001–GL031 assigned; GL032 added v0.2.11; GL033 added v0.2.15; GL034–GL041 added v0.2.16; output formats (--format json/sarif/junit/github) added v0.2.18; GL042–GL043 added v0.2.20
+- ~~**Structured rule IDs**~~ — ✓ shipped post-v0.2.0; GL001–GL031 assigned; GL032 added v0.2.11; GL033 added v0.2.15; GL034–GL041 added v0.2.16; output formats (--format json/sarif/junit/github) added v0.2.18; GL042–GL043 added v0.2.20; GL044 added v0.2.24
- ~~**`glint explain `**~~ — ✓ shipped v0.2.20; prints rule description, rationale, bad-YAML example, and fix; `glint explain` (no arg) lists all rules
- ~~**Semantic versioning and first release**~~ — shipped as `v0.1.0` (2026-06-07)
- ~~**Subcommand CLI**~~ — shipped as `v0.2.0` (2026-06-11); `glint check` / `glint graph [mode]` with ruff-style `--help`
diff --git a/Taskfile.yml b/Taskfile.yml
index ae1d576..deba163 100644
--- a/Taskfile.yml
+++ b/Taskfile.yml
@@ -113,10 +113,16 @@ tasks:
ignore_error: false
- cmd: ./{{.BINARY}} check testdata/inherit_dead_fields.yml
ignore_error: false
+ - cmd: ./{{.BINARY}} check testdata/rules_needs_valid.yml
+ ignore_error: false
+ - cmd: ./{{.BINARY}} check testdata/rules_needs_invalid.yml
+ ignore_error: true
- cmd: ./{{.BINARY}} explain GL007
ignore_error: false
- cmd: ./{{.BINARY}} explain gl042
ignore_error: false
+ - cmd: ./{{.BINARY}} explain GL044
+ ignore_error: false
- cmd: ./{{.BINARY}} explain
ignore_error: false
diff --git a/internal/linter/explain.go b/internal/linter/explain.go
index 0d7b8cf..67c2139 100644
--- a/internal/linter/explain.go
+++ b/internal/linter/explain.go
@@ -816,4 +816,41 @@ my-job:
my-job:
script: echo hi`,
},
+
+ RuleRulesNeedsUnknown: {
+ Title: "'rules:needs:' references unknown job",
+ Severity: Error,
+ Description: "A job listed in a rule's 'needs:' override does not exist in " +
+ "the pipeline. 'rules:needs:' (GitLab CI 16.4+) overrides the top-level " +
+ "'needs:' list when that specific rule matches. GitLab will refuse to " +
+ "create the pipeline if any referenced job is missing.",
+ Example: `stages: [build, test]
+
+build:
+ stage: build
+ script: make
+
+test:
+ stage: test
+ script: make test
+ rules:
+ - if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == "main"
+ needs: [build, lint] # lint does not exist`,
+ Fix: `stages: [build, test]
+
+lint:
+ stage: build
+ script: make lint
+
+build:
+ stage: build
+ script: make
+
+test:
+ stage: test
+ script: make test
+ rules:
+ - if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == "main"
+ needs: [build, lint]`,
+ },
}
diff --git a/internal/linter/linter.go b/internal/linter/linter.go
index ce101ca..af87400 100644
--- a/internal/linter/linter.go
+++ b/internal/linter/linter.go
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ func Lint(p *model.Pipeline, skipped map[string]bool) []Finding {
findings = append(findings, checkWorkflow(p)...)
findings = append(findings, checkJobs(p)...)
findings = append(findings, checkNeeds(p, skipped)...)
+ findings = append(findings, checkRulesNeeds(p, skipped)...)
findings = append(findings, checkDependencies(p, skipped)...)
findings = append(findings, checkVariableRefs(p)...)
findings = append(findings, checkRulesIfReachability(p)...)
diff --git a/internal/linter/needs.go b/internal/linter/needs.go
index 737a96e..62f0e64 100644
--- a/internal/linter/needs.go
+++ b/internal/linter/needs.go
@@ -85,6 +85,44 @@ func checkNeeds(p *model.Pipeline, skipped map[string]bool) []Finding {
return findings
}
+// checkRulesNeeds validates rules:needs: entries across all jobs. Each entry
+// in a rule's needs: list must reference a job that exists in the pipeline.
+// Cross-pipeline needs (maps with a "pipeline" key) are ignored. Skipped jobs
+// are excluded from checking (same semantics as top-level needs: via GL027).
+func checkRulesNeeds(p *model.Pipeline, skipped map[string]bool) []Finding {
+ var findings []Finding
+ for name, job := range p.Jobs {
+ if skipped[name] {
+ continue
+ }
+ for i, rule := range job.Rules {
+ if len(rule.Needs) == 0 {
+ continue
+ }
+ for _, entry := range parseNeedEntries(rule.Needs) {
+ if _, exists := p.Jobs[entry.job]; !exists {
+ sev := Error
+ if entry.optional {
+ sev = Warning
+ }
+ findings = append(findings, Finding{
+ Severity: sev,
+ Rule: RuleRulesNeedsUnknown,
+ Job: name,
+ File: job.File,
+ Line: job.Line,
+ Message: fmt.Sprintf(
+ "rules[%d].needs: references unknown job %q",
+ i, entry.job,
+ ),
+ })
+ }
+ }
+ }
+ }
+ return findings
+}
+
// parseNeedEntries extracts needs entries from a needs: list, preserving the
// optional flag. Each element is a plain string (job name) or a map with a
// "job" key. Cross-pipeline needs (maps with a "pipeline" key) are skipped.
diff --git a/internal/linter/needs_test.go b/internal/linter/needs_test.go
index 631e59e..635708f 100644
--- a/internal/linter/needs_test.go
+++ b/internal/linter/needs_test.go
@@ -31,6 +31,129 @@ func TestCheckNeeds_SkippedJob(t *testing.T) {
}
}
+// TestCheckRulesNeeds_UnknownJob verifies that an unknown job in rules:needs: produces GL044.
+func TestCheckRulesNeeds_UnknownJob(t *testing.T) {
+ p := &model.Pipeline{
+ Stages: []string{"build", "test"},
+ Jobs: map[string]model.Job{
+ "build-job": {
+ Name: "build-job",
+ Stage: "build",
+ Script: []any{"make"},
+ },
+ "test-job": {
+ Name: "test-job",
+ Stage: "test",
+ Script: []any{"make test"},
+ Rules: []model.Rule{
+ {
+ If: `$CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == "main"`,
+ Needs: []any{"build-job", "nonexistent"},
+ },
+ },
+ },
+ },
+ }
+ findings := checkRulesNeeds(p, nil)
+ var got bool
+ for _, f := range findings {
+ if f.Rule == RuleRulesNeedsUnknown && f.Severity == Error {
+ got = true
+ }
+ }
+ if !got {
+ t.Errorf("expected GL044 error for unknown rules:needs: job; got %v", findings)
+ }
+}
+
+// TestCheckRulesNeeds_KnownJob verifies no finding when all rules:needs: jobs exist.
+func TestCheckRulesNeeds_KnownJob(t *testing.T) {
+ p := &model.Pipeline{
+ Stages: []string{"build", "test"},
+ Jobs: map[string]model.Job{
+ "build-job": {Name: "build-job", Stage: "build", Script: []any{"make"}},
+ "test-job": {
+ Name: "test-job",
+ Stage: "test",
+ Script: []any{"make test"},
+ Rules: []model.Rule{{Needs: []any{"build-job"}}},
+ },
+ },
+ }
+ if findings := checkRulesNeeds(p, nil); len(findings) != 0 {
+ t.Errorf("expected no findings for valid rules:needs:; got %v", findings)
+ }
+}
+
+// TestCheckRulesNeeds_Optional verifies that optional: true downgrades to Warning.
+func TestCheckRulesNeeds_Optional(t *testing.T) {
+ p := &model.Pipeline{
+ Jobs: map[string]model.Job{
+ "test-job": {
+ Name: "test-job",
+ Script: []any{"make test"},
+ Rules: []model.Rule{
+ {Needs: []any{map[string]any{"job": "ghost", "optional": true}}},
+ },
+ },
+ },
+ }
+ findings := checkRulesNeeds(p, nil)
+ if len(findings) != 1 || findings[0].Severity != Warning {
+ t.Errorf("optional unknown rules:needs: should produce Warning; got %v", findings)
+ }
+}
+
+// TestCheckRulesNeeds_CrossPipeline verifies that cross-pipeline needs are ignored.
+func TestCheckRulesNeeds_CrossPipeline(t *testing.T) {
+ p := &model.Pipeline{
+ Jobs: map[string]model.Job{
+ "test-job": {
+ Name: "test-job",
+ Script: []any{"make test"},
+ Rules: []model.Rule{
+ {Needs: []any{map[string]any{"pipeline": "other", "job": "j"}}},
+ },
+ },
+ },
+ }
+ if findings := checkRulesNeeds(p, nil); len(findings) != 0 {
+ t.Errorf("cross-pipeline rules:needs: should be ignored; got %v", findings)
+ }
+}
+
+// TestCheckRulesNeeds_SkippedJob verifies that a skipped job's rules:needs: violations are suppressed.
+func TestCheckRulesNeeds_SkippedJob(t *testing.T) {
+ p := &model.Pipeline{
+ Jobs: map[string]model.Job{
+ "test-job": {
+ Name: "test-job",
+ Script: []any{"make test"},
+ Rules: []model.Rule{{Needs: []any{"nonexistent"}}},
+ },
+ },
+ }
+ if findings := checkRulesNeeds(p, map[string]bool{"test-job": true}); len(findings) != 0 {
+ t.Errorf("skipped job: expected no findings; got %v", findings)
+ }
+}
+
+// TestCheckRulesNeeds_NoNeeds verifies no findings when rules have no needs: override.
+func TestCheckRulesNeeds_NoNeeds(t *testing.T) {
+ p := &model.Pipeline{
+ Jobs: map[string]model.Job{
+ "test-job": {
+ Name: "test-job",
+ Script: []any{"make test"},
+ Rules: []model.Rule{{When: "on_success"}},
+ },
+ },
+ }
+ if findings := checkRulesNeeds(p, nil); len(findings) != 0 {
+ t.Errorf("rules without needs: should produce no findings; got %v", findings)
+ }
+}
+
// TestCheckNeeds_StageOrder verifies that a job needing a job in a later stage
// produces RuleNeedsStageOrder (line 64-76 in needs.go).
func TestCheckNeeds_StageOrder(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/internal/linter/rules.go b/internal/linter/rules.go
index c43eaaa..aed68bb 100644
--- a/internal/linter/rules.go
+++ b/internal/linter/rules.go
@@ -154,4 +154,8 @@ const (
// pipeline has no 'default:' block, making the declaration a no-op. Also fires
// when 'inherit: default: [list]' names fields not set in the default: block.
RuleInheritNoDefault = "GL043"
+
+ // GL044: a rules:needs: entry references a job that does not exist in the pipeline.
+ // rules:needs: overrides the top-level needs: when a specific rule matches (GitLab CI 16.4+).
+ RuleRulesNeedsUnknown = "GL044"
)
diff --git a/internal/model/pipeline.go b/internal/model/pipeline.go
index a88cb69..eec44b1 100644
--- a/internal/model/pipeline.go
+++ b/internal/model/pipeline.go
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ type Rule struct {
Changes any `yaml:"changes"` // []string or {paths,compare_to} map
Exists any `yaml:"exists"` // []string or map form
Variables map[string]any `yaml:"variables"` // set/override variables when rule matches (GitLab CI 15.0+)
+ Needs []any `yaml:"needs"` // override needs: when this rule matches (GitLab CI 16.4+)
}
// ReservedKeys are top-level GitLab CI keys that are NOT job definitions.
diff --git a/testdata/rules_needs_invalid.yml b/testdata/rules_needs_invalid.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d9de36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/rules_needs_invalid.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+stages:
+ - build
+ - test
+
+build-job:
+ stage: build
+ script: make
+
+test-job:
+ stage: test
+ script: make test
+ rules:
+ - if: '$CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == "main"'
+ needs: [build-job, nonexistent-job] # nonexistent-job does not exist → GL044
+ - when: on_success
diff --git a/testdata/rules_needs_valid.yml b/testdata/rules_needs_valid.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c688893
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/rules_needs_valid.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+stages:
+ - build
+ - test
+
+build-job:
+ stage: build
+ script: make
+
+lint-job:
+ stage: build
+ script: make lint
+
+test-job:
+ stage: test
+ script: make test
+ rules:
+ - if: '$CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == "main"'
+ needs: [build-job, lint-job] # both exist → clean
+ - when: on_success