Introduction
Jenkins is an open source automation server that can help you with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) of your software projects. CI/CD is a process that enables you to build, test, and deploy your code faster and more reliably by automating various tasks and stages. Jenkins can be used as a simple CI server or as a complex CD hub for any project.
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Jenkins offers many attractive features for developers, such as:
It is free and open source, with a large and active community of contributors and users.
It is easy to install and configure, with a web-based interface and built-in help.
It supports hundreds of plugins that integrate with various tools and technologies in the CI/CD toolchain.
It is extensible, allowing you to customize and extend its functionality through its plugin architecture.
It is distributed, enabling you to scale up your builds, tests, and deployments across multiple machines and platforms.
However, Jenkins is not the only option for CI/CD. There are many other tools that offer similar or different features and capabilities. Some of the alternatives to Jenkins are:
: A web-based platform that provides a complete DevOps lifecycle solution, including source code management, CI/CD, security, monitoring, etc.
: A project management tool that integrates with various CI/CD tools like Bamboo, Bitbucket Pipelines, etc.
: A graphical build automation tool that supports various scripting languages, compilers, testing tools, etc.
: A framework for creating custom CI systems that can run on any platform.
: A lightweight CI server that runs on Ruby on Rails and integrates with GitHub.
: A CD-focused tool that helps you model complex deployment workflows.
: An enterprise-grade tool that provides end-to-end automation for application delivery.
: A cloud-based tool that specializes in Salesforce development and deployment.
: A cloud-native tool that offers fast and scalable CI/CD pipelines.
: A hybrid tool that combines cloud-based orchestration with self-hosted agents.
Downloading Jenkins
To use Jenkins, you need to download it from its official website. There are different packages and platforms available for Jenkins, depending on your needs and preferences. Here are the steps to download Jenkins from the official website:
Go to the and select the platform that suits your needs. You can choose from Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, Kubernetes, and other options.
Depending on your platform, you will see different packages and formats available for Jenkins. For example, for Windows, you can download the Jenkins installer as a .msi file, or as a generic Java package as a .war file. For Linux, you can download Jenkins as a .deb or .rpm package, or as a Docker image.
Click on the package or format that you want to download and save it to your local machine. You can also copy the direct link or the command to download Jenkins from the terminal.
Optionally, you can verify the Jenkins download by checking its SHA-256 checksum. You can find the checksum for each package or format on the download page. You can use a tool like to calculate and compare the checksum of your downloaded file.
Congratulations, you have successfully downloaded Jenkins! Now you are ready to install it and start using it.
Installing Jenkins
The installation process of Jenkins varies depending on the platform and the package or format that you have downloaded. In this section, we will cover some of the most common ways to install Jenkins on Windows, Linux, and Docker.
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Installing Jenkins on Windows using the installer
If you have downloaded the Jenkins installer as a .msi file, you can follow these steps to install Jenkins on Windows:
Locate the jenkins.msi file that you have downloaded and double-click on it to launch the installer.
You will see a welcome screen that asks you to choose the location where you want to install Jenkins. You can accept the default location or browse to a different one. Click on Next to continue.
You will see a screen that asks you to choose the port number for the Jenkins web interface. The default port is 8080, but you can change it if you want. Click on Next to continue.
You will see a screen that asks you to choose whether you want to run Jenkins as a service or not. Running Jenkins as a service means that it will start automatically when your machine boots up. It is recommended to run Jenkins as a service for convenience and security reasons. Click on Next to continue.
You will see a screen that asks you to choose whether you want to install additional tools for Jenkins or not. These tools include Java Development Kit (JDK), Git, Maven, etc. You can skip this step if you already have these tools installed on your machine or if you don't need them for your projects. Click on Next to continue.
You will see a screen that shows the progress of the installation. Wait for it to finish and click on Finish to exit the installer.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed Jenkins on Windows using the installer! Now you can access the Jenkins web interface and complete the initial setup wizard.
Installing Jenkins on Linux using the package manager
If you have downloaded Jenkins as a .deb or .rpm package, you can follow these steps to install Jenkins on Linux using the package manager:
Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where you have downloaded the Jenkins package.
If you have downloaded a .deb package, run the following command to install Jenkins: sudo dpkg -i jenkins.deb
If you have downloaded a .rpm package, run the following command to install Jenkins: sudo rpm -ivh jenkins.rpm
The installation process will create a user and a group named jenkins and start the Jenkins service automatically.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed Jenkins on Linux using the package manager! Now you can access the Jenkins web interface and complete the initial setup wizard.
Installing Jenkins on Docker using the image
If you have downloaded Jenkins as a Docker image, you can follow these steps to install Jenkins on Docker using the image:
Open a terminal window and make sure that Docker is running on your machine.
Pull the latest version of the Jenkins image from Docker Hub by running the following command: docker pull jenkins/jenkins
Create a container from the image by running the following command: docker run -d -p 8080:8080 - p 50000:50000 -v jenkins_home:/var/jenkins_home jenkins/jenkins
The command will create a container named jenkins, map the port 8080 of the container to the port 8080 of the host, map the port 50000 of the container to the port 50000 of the host, and mount a volume named jenkins_home to store the Jenkins data.
You can check the status of the container by running the following command: docker ps -a
Congratulations, you have successfully installed Jenkins on Docker using the image! Now you can access the Jenkins web interface and complete the initial setup wizard.
Configuring Jenkins
After installing Jenkins, you need to configure it before you can start using it. The first time you access the Jenkins web interface, you will see a screen that asks you to unlock Jenkins by entering an initial administrator password. You can find this password in one of the following locations:
If you have installed Jenkins on Windows using the installer, you can find the password in the file C:\Program Files (x86)\Jenkins\secrets\initialAdminPassword
If you have installed Jenkins on Linux using the package manager, you can find the password in the file /var/lib/jenkins/secrets/initialAdminPassword
If you have installed Jenkins on Docker using the image, you can find the password by running the following command: docker exec jenkins cat /var/jenkins_home/secrets/initialAdminPassword
Copy and paste the password into the text box and click on Continue. You will see a screen that asks you to customize Jenkins by installing suggested plugins or selecting plugins to install. You can choose either option depending on your needs and preferences. The suggested plugins include some of the most common and useful plugins for Jenkins, such as Git, Pipeline, GitHub, etc. You can also install more plugins later from the Manage Jenkins section.
After installing the plugins, you will see a screen that asks you to create an admin user for Jenkins. You can enter your username, password, full name, and email address for this user. Alternatively, you can skip this step and continue as admin using the initial password. However, it is recommended to create a separate admin user for security reasons.
After creating an admin user, you will see a screen that shows the URL of your Jenkins instance. You can copy this URL and save it for future reference. You can also change this URL later from the Manage Jenkins section.
Congratulations, you have successfully configured Jenkins! Now you are ready to create and manage users and permissions in Jenkins.
Creating and managing users and permissions in Jenkins
Jenkins allows you to create and manage multiple users and assign them different roles and permissions. This way, you can control who can access and perform various actions on your Jenkins instance. To create and manage users and permissions in Jenkins, follow these steps:
Go to the Manage Jenkins section from the left sidebar of your Jenkins web interface.
Click on Manage Users under Security.
You will see a list of existing users on your Jenkins instance. You can edit or delete any user by clicking on their name or the corresponding icons.
To create a new user, click on Create User on the left side of the screen.
Enter a username, password, full name, and email address for this user. Optionally, you can also enter a description for this user.
Click on Create User to save this user.
To assign roles and permissions to this user, go back to the Manage Jenkins section and click on Configure Global Security under Security.
Under Authorization, select one of the following options:
Anyone can do anything: This option allows anyone to access and perform any action on your Jenkins instance without authentication. This option is not recommended for security reasons.
Legacy mode: This option allows anyone to read anything on your Jenkins instance without authentication, but only authenticated users can perform any action. This option is deprecated and not recommended for security reasons.
Logged-in users can do anything: This option allows only authenticated users to access and perform any action on your Jenkins instance. This option is suitable for small teams or personal use.
Matrix-based security: This option allows you to define specific permissions for each user or group on your Jenkins instance. This option is suitable for large teams or complex scenarios.
Project-based Matrix Authorization Strategy: This option allows you to define specific permissions for each user or group on each project or pipeline on your Jenkins instance. This option is suitable for granular control and flexibility.
If you choose Matrix-based security or Project-based Matrix Authorization Strategy, you will see a table where you can add users or groups and assign them permissions. You can use the Add user or group button to add a user or group, and use the checkboxes to grant or deny permissions. You can also use the Select all or Deselect all buttons to quickly select or deselect all permissions for a user or group.
Click on Save to apply your changes.
Congratulations, you have successfully created and managed users and permissions in Jenkins! Now you are ready to install and update plugins in Jenkins.
Installing and updating plugins in Jenkins
Jenkins supports hundreds of plugins that integrate with various tools and technologies in the CI/CD toolchain. Plugins can enhance the functionality and usability of Jenkins by adding new features, options, interfaces, etc. To install and update plugins in Jenkins, follow these steps:
Go to the Manage Jenkins section from the left sidebar of your Jenkins web interface.
Click on Manage Plugins under System Configuration.
You will see four tabs: Updates, Available, Installed, and Advanced. You can use these tabs to manage your plugins.
To install new plugins, go to the Available tab and browse or search for the plugins that you want to install. You can also filter the plugins by category or status. Check the boxes next to the plugins that you want to install and click on Download now and install after restart at the bottom of the page. Jenkins will download the plugins and install them after you restart your instance.
To update existing plugins, go to the Updates tab and check for any updates available for your installed plugins. You can also filter the plugins by category or status. Check the boxes next to the plugins that you want to update and click on Download now and install after restart at the bottom of the page. Jenkins will download the updates and install them after you restart your instance.
To view or uninstall your installed plugins, go to the Installed tab and browse or search for the plugins that you have installed. You can also filter the plugins by category or status. To uninstall a plugin, check the box next to it and click on Uninstall at the bottom of the page. Jenkins will uninstall the plugin after you restart your instance.
To configure advanced settings for your plugins, go to the Advanced tab and use the options available there. You can upload a plugin from your local machine, specify a proxy server for downloading plugins, change the update site URL, etc.
After installing, updating, or uninstalling any plugins, you need to restart your Jenkins instance for the changes to take effect. You can do this by clicking on Restart Jenkins when no jobs are running at the bottom of any tab.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed and updated plugins in Jenkins! Now you are ready to create and run a simple pipeline in Jenkins.
Using Jenkins
Jenkins allows you to create and run pipelines that automate various stages of your software development lifecycle. A pipeline is a sequence of steps that perform tasks such as building, testing, deploying, etc. You can create pipelines using either a graphical user interface (GUI) or a code-based approach. In this section, we will cover how to create and run a simple pipeline in Jenkins using both methods.
Creating and running a simple pipeline in Jenkins using the GUI
If you prefer to use a GUI to create your pipelines, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Dashboard of your Jenkins web interface and click on New Item on the left sidebar.
Enter a name for your pipeline and select Pipeline as the item type. Click on OK to create your pipeline.
You will see a configuration page where you can define various settings for your pipeline. Under General, you can enter a description for your pipeline, enable or disable options such as Discard old builds, Disable this project, etc.
Under Build Triggers, you can specify when and how you want your pipeline to be triggered. You can choose from various options such as Build periodically, Build after other projects are built, Poll SCM, etc.
Under Pipeline, you can define the steps of your pipeline using a GUI editor. Click on Define pipeline script in SCM under Definition. This option allows you to store your pipeline script in a source code management (SCM) system such as Git, SVN, etc.
Select your SCM system from the SCM dropdown menu and enter the repository URL where your pipeline script is stored. Optionally, you can also enter credentials, branch name, script path, etc.
Click on Save to save your pipeline configuration.
To run your pipeline, go to the Dashboard and click on your pipeline name. You will see a page where you can view the status and details of your pipeline. Click on Build Now on the left sidebar to start your pipeline.
You will see a progress bar and a console output that shows the execution of your pipeline steps. You can also click on the stage view icon on the left sidebar to see a graphical representation of your pipeline stages.
When your pipeline is completed, you will see a summary of the results and any artifacts produced by your pipeline. You can also click on any build number on the left sidebar to see more details about that build.
Congratulations, you have successfully created and run a simple pipeline in Jenkins using the GUI! Now you can modify and improve your pipeline as per your requirements.
Creating and running a simple pipeline in Jenkins using the code
If you prefer to use a code-based approach to create your pipelines, you can follow these steps:
Create a file named Jenkinsfile and write your pipeline script using Groovy syntax. A Jenkinsfile is a text file that contains the definition of your pipeline. You can use various directives, steps, and parameters to define your pipeline stages and actions. For example, here is a simple Jenkinsfile that builds and tests a Java project using Maven:
pipeline agent any stages stage('Build') steps sh 'mvn clean package' stage('Test') steps sh 'mvn test'
Save your Jenkinsfile in a source code management (SCM) system such as Git, SVN, etc. Alternatively, you can also store your Jenkinsfile directly on your Jenkins instance.
Go to the Dashboard of your Jenkins web interface and click on New Item on the left sidebar.
Enter a name for your pipeline and select Pipeline as the item type. Click on OK to create your pipeline.
You will see a configuration page where you can define various settings for your pipeline. Under General, you can enter a description for your pipeline, enable or disable options such as Discard old builds, Disable this project, etc.
Under Build Triggers, you can specify when and how you want your pipeline to be triggered. You can choose from various options such as Build periodically, Build after other projects are built, Poll SCM, etc.
Under Pipeline, you can define the source of your pipeline script. Click on Pipeline script from SCM under Definition. This option allows you to load your pipeline script from an SCM system.
Select your SCM system from the SCM dropdown menu and enter the repository URL where your Jenkinsfile is stored. Optionally, you can also enter credentials, branch name, script path, etc.
Click on Save to save your pipeline configuration.
To run your pipeline, go to the Dashboard and click on your pipeline name. You will see a page where you can view the status and details of your pipeline. Click on Build Now on the left sidebar to start your pipeline.
You will see a progress bar and a console output that shows the execution of your pipeline script. You can also click on the stage view icon on the left sidebar to see a graphical representation of your pipeline stages.
When your pipeline is completed, you will see a summary of the results and any artifacts produced by your pipeline. You can also click on any build number on the left sidebar to see more details about that build.
Congratulations, you have successfully created and run a simple pipeline in Jenkins using the code! Now you can modify and improve your pipeline script as per your requirements.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned how to download, install, configure, and use Jenkins for CI/CD. We have also learned how to create and run simple pipelines in Jenkins using either a GUI or a code-based approach. We have seen some of the features, benefits, and alternatives of Jenkins as well.
Jenkins is a powerful and versatile tool that can help you automate various tasks and stages of your software development lifecycle. It can integrate with various tools and technologies in the CI/CD toolchain and provide you with fast and reliable feedback. It can also scale up to handle complex and large-scale projects with ease.
However, Jenkins is not without its challenges and limitations. It requires some learning curve and maintenance effort to set up and use it effectively. It also has some security and performance issues that need to be addressed carefully. Moreover, it may not suit every project or team's needs or preferences.
Therefore, it is important to evaluate your project's requirements and goals and choose the best tool for your CI/CD needs. You can also compare and contrast Jenkins with other tools and see which one fits your needs better.
We hope that this article has given you a good overview and understanding of Jenkins and how to use it for CI/CD. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your queries.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Jenkins and CI/CD:
What is the difference between Jenkins and Jenkins X?
Jenkins X is a project that extends Jenkins to provide a cloud-native CI/CD solution for Kubernetes. It automates the creation of Kubernetes clusters, pipelines, environments, etc. It also integrates with various cloud services and tools such as Helm, Skaffold, Tekton, etc. Jenkins X is designed to simplify and accelerate the development and deployment of cloud-native applications on Kubernetes.
How can I backup and restore my Jenkins data?
Jenkins stores its data in a directory called JENKINS_HOME, which contains the configuration files, plugins, jobs, logs, etc. You can backup and restore your Jenkins data by copying or archiving this directory to a safe location. You can also use plugins such as to automate the backup and restore process.
How can I secure my Jenkins instance?
Jenkins provides various options and features to enhance the security of your instance. Some of the best practices for securing your Jenkins instance are:
Enable HTTPS for your Jenkins web interface using SSL/TLS certificates.
Enable authentication and authorization for your Jenkins users and groups using various options such as LDAP, SSO, etc.
Restrict access to your Jenkins instance using firewall rules, VPN, etc.
Encrypt your Jenkins data using encryption plugins such as .
Update your Jenkins core and plugins regularly to fix any security vulnerabilities.
Audit and monitor your Jenkins activity using logging plugins such as .
How can I optimize the performance of my Jenkins instance?
Jenkins provides various options and features to improve the performance of your instance. Some of the best practices for optimizing your Jenkins performance are:
Allocate enough resources (CPU, memory, disk space, etc.) for your Jenkins instance and its agents.
Distribute your workload across multiple agents using labels, load balancers, etc.
Clean up your old builds, logs, artifacts, etc. using plugins such as .
Tune your JVM parameters using environment variables such as JAVA_OPTS, JENKINS_OPTS, etc.
Analyze and troubleshoot your performance issues using plugins such as .
How can I learn more about Jenkins and CI/CD?
Jenkins provides various resources and documentation to help you learn more about its features and capabilities. Some of the useful resources are:
: A comprehensive guide that covers everything from installation to configuration to usage of Jenkins.
: A detailed guide that explains how to create and run pipelines in Jenkins using either a GUI or a code-based approach.
: A blog that features news, updates, tips, tutorials, case studies, etc. about Jenkins and CI/CD.
: A community that consists of users, developers, contributors, advocates, etc. who share their knowledge and experience about Jenkins and CI/CD.
: A collection of books, courses, videos, podcasts, webinars, etc. that can help you learn more about Jenkins and CI/CD.
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