We use this Gitlab upgrade path tool for create the update path and be sure that the steps between version can be done safetly.
GitLab releases, at least, a new security update every month, a week after the feature release. They also release as many additional security updates as necessary. Some of them are critical, and you will be encouraged to update ASAP.
If the instance is unstable or misbehaves after an upgrade, please run
sudo gitlab-ctl reconfigure.
The availability of the new update is displayed in the GitLab UI.
In addition, you can subscribe to the GitLab’s CE releases mail list or RSS.