GitLab (GTLB) Reports Net ARR Growth Above 40% as Operating Cash Flow Turns Negative. Will AI Demand Convert Into Durable Revenue and Cash?

GitLab Inc. (NASDAQ: GTLB ) reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $286.3 million, up 21% year over year, as gross bookings reached a company record. Annual recurring revenue, or ARR, is the annualized run rate of subscription revenue at period end and excludes professional services. GitLab Inc. (NASDAQ:GTLB) defines Net ARR as the change in ARR between periods on a bookings basis, measured by opportunity close date. Quarterly Net ARR grew more than 40%, which does not mean total ending ARR grew at that rate.

Dollar-based net retention was 117%, the same rounded figure as the first quarter. GitLab Inc. (NASDAQ:GTLB) said the underlying rate accelerated sequentially, although it declined from 121% one year earlier. Customers generating more than $100,000 of ARR increased 17% to 1,571. Current remaining performance obligations, or contracted revenue expected to be recognized within 12 months, rose 20% to $744.7 million. Total remaining performance obligations increased 16% to $1.2 billion.

Record bookings and management-reported sequential improvement in dollar-based net retention create a credible path to future subscription revenue. First orders more than doubled, while first-order Net ARR grew nearly 40%. Deals worth at least $500,000 increased more than 150%, and the Ultimate tier reached 59% of ARR after growing approximately 35%.

AI and consumption products are gaining early traction. Duo Agent Platform paid consumption run rate grew roughly 50% sequentially. GitLab Inc. (NASDAQ:GTLB) defines paid consumption run rate as a point-in-time annualized measure of credit and Flex commitments plus paid on-demand consumption, excluding trials and promotional credits. It exceeded $40 million, up from $15 million entering the quarter, but is not revenue or ARR. The increase included Flex, where existing subscription dollars can enter the commitment pool, so it was not necessarily incremental consumption demand.

GitLab Flex attracted more than 130 customers and over $20 million of commitments during its first six weeks, with most occurring at renewal. Flex lets customers allocate one commitment across seats, credits, and eligible consumption products, potentially reducing procurement friction as AI-driven activity grows.

Quarterly operating cash flow was negative $3.1 million versus positive $49.4 million, but six-month operating cash flow remained positive at $146.1 million versus $155.7 million. The $61.2 million year-over-year swing from accounts receivable exceeded the $52.5 million quarterly cash-flow decline, showing that collection timing was a major factor. Stronger bookings must still produce sustained operating cash.