Final answer:
To use a personal access token on GitLab, generate one through your account settings and use it for authentication in lieu of your password for Git operations or API access. Ensure you copy it upon creation, as it cannot be viewed again.
Step-by-step explanation:
To use a personal access token on GitLab, you'll first need to generate one through the GitLab interface. Once created, you can use this token to authenticate with GitLab's API, or to push and pull from repositories without using your username and password.
Log in to your GitLab account. Go to your profile settings by clicking on your avatar in the upper-right corner and selecting “Settings”. Click on “Access Tokens” within the User Settings menu. Enter a name and an optional expiry date for the token. Select the desired scopes that determine what the token is authorized to do. Click the “Create personal access token” button. Once generated, make sure to copy your new personal access token. You won't be able to see it again! Use the token in place of your password when performing Git operations over HTTPS or when accessing the GitLab API. Remember that the personal access token is like a password, so keep it secure. Do not share it with others and store it safely.