diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
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+# This file is a template, and might need editing before it works on your project.
+# This is a sample GitLab CI/CD configuration file that should run without any modifications.
+# It demonstrates a basic 3 stage CI/CD pipeline. Instead of real tests or scripts,
+# it uses echo commands to simulate the pipeline execution.
+#
+# A pipeline is composed of independent jobs that run scripts, grouped into stages.
+# Stages run in sequential order, but jobs within stages run in parallel.
+#
+# For more information, see: https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/ci/yaml/index.html#stages
+#
+# You can copy and paste this template into a new `.gitlab-ci.yml` file.
+# You should not add this template to an existing `.gitlab-ci.yml` file by using the `include:` keyword.
+#
+# To contribute improvements to CI/CD templates, please follow the Development guide at:
+# https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/development/cicd/templates.html
+# This specific template is located at:
+# https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/lib/gitlab/ci/templates/Getting-Started.gitlab-ci.yml
+
+
+# define stages of runner. at the moment,
+# just test (no build or deploy).
+stages:
+  - test
+  - build
+
+# define test job
+test-job:
+  stage: test
+  script:
+    # run the R CMD check on the package (this path)
+    - R CMD check ./ --no-manual
+    # run the devtools test
+    - R -e 'devtools::test()'
+    
+build-job:
+  stage: build
+  script:
+    # install
+    - R -e 'devtools::install()'
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