docs: add instructions for setting up GitLab environments

README.md

@@ -172,6 +172,15 @@ GitLab Runners are agents that execute jobs defined in `.gitlab-ci.yml`.
    docker push gitlab.rc.uab.edu:4567/<your_gitlab_namespace>/<project_name>:<tag>
    ```
 
+### Set Up GitLab Environment as the Final Step
+To finalize your GitLab environment setup:
+
+1. Go to the **Operate** tab in your GitLab project.
+2. Create the desired environment (e.g., `build`, `dev`, or `production`).
+3. Assign and configure environment-specific variables as per your requirements.
+4. Trigger the pipeline and call the appropriate environment (`build` or `dev`) as needed based on pipeline job requirements.
+
+
 ### Deployment Pipeline:
 
 You can now schedule a pipeline to build and deploy proxy nodes. Use the same process for additional proxy nodes, such as HTTP proxies.
@@ -193,3 +202,11 @@ Below is a screenshot showing the deploy pipeline for the SSH proxy node:
 ![Deploy Pipeline for SSH Proxy Node](https://gitlab.rc.uab.edu/rc/hpc-factory-proxy-nodes-notes/-/raw/main/screenshots/deploy_ssh_proxy.png)
 
 ---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+1. **Environment Variables Not Working:**
+   - Check if the variables are correctly scoped to the environment.
+   - Validate the variable values in the **Settings > CI/CD > Variables** section.
+
+