diff --git a/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.test.ts b/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.test.ts
index 4b29e67a2176..8c74e6a8bbe5 100644
--- a/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.test.ts
+++ b/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.test.ts
@@ -83,16 +83,24 @@ describe("add project shared logic", () => {
         sshUrl: "ssh://git@forgejo.example.test:2222/owner/repo.git",
       }),
     ).toBe("https://forgejo.example.test:8443/owner/repo.git");
+    expect(
+      getDefaultCloneUrl({
+        provider: "gitlab",
+        // The lookup returns GitLab's web_url here, which git clones as well.
+        url: "https://gitlab.com/group/project",
+        sshUrl: "git@gitlab.com:group/project.git",
+      }),
+    ).toBe("https://gitlab.com/group/project");
   });
 
   it("preserves existing clone transport behavior for other providers", () => {
     expect(
       getDefaultCloneUrl({
-        provider: "gitlab",
-        url: "https://gitlab.com/group/project.git",
-        sshUrl: "git@gitlab.com:group/project.git",
+        provider: "bitbucket",
+        url: "https://bitbucket.org/workspace/repo.git",
+        sshUrl: "git@bitbucket.org:workspace/repo.git",
       }),
-    ).toBe("git@gitlab.com:group/project.git");
+    ).toBe("git@bitbucket.org:workspace/repo.git");
   });
 
   it("derives the clone folder name from any pasted clone URL", () => {
diff --git a/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.ts b/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.ts
index ec03ea86dce1..873e2a854dcc 100644
--- a/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.ts
+++ b/packages/client-runtime/src/operations/projects.ts
@@ -123,11 +123,16 @@ export function normalizePastedCloneUrl(input: string): string {
   return `https://github.com/${repository}`;
 }
 
-/** GitHub and Forgejo default to HTTPS; other providers retain their existing SSH default. */
+/**
+ * GitHub, GitLab, and Forgejo default to HTTPS: their CLIs install a Git credential helper on
+ * sign-in, while SSH needs a separately registered key. Other providers keep their SSH default.
+ */
 export function getDefaultCloneUrl(
   repository: Pick<SourceControlRepositoryInfo, "provider" | "url" | "sshUrl">,
 ): string {
-  return repository.provider === "github" || repository.provider === "forgejo"
+  return repository.provider === "github" ||
+    repository.provider === "gitlab" ||
+    repository.provider === "forgejo"
     ? repository.url
     : repository.sshUrl;
 }