A self-hosted CI/CD engine that runs pipelines defined in config files in containers, with extensibility through plugins.
jenkinsci/jenkins
Jenkins is an open-source automation server for building, testing, and deploying software, extensible through over 2,000 plugins.
Open-source alternative to:GitHub Actions
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- Last commit
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What is it?
Jenkins is a Java-based automation server that runs the repetitive tasks of a development workflow. It is commonly used to build projects, run test suites so bugs surface as soon as they are introduced, perform static code analysis, and deploy software.
Capabilities come from a plugin ecosystem of more than 2,000 plugins listed on the Jenkins plugin index, which covers integrations with source control, build tools, and deployment targets. Pipelines can be defined as code. Official distributions include WAR files, Docker images, native packages, and installers for several Linux distributions and Windows.
Jenkins offers two release lines: a weekly line with all new features and fixes, and a Long-Term Support line that receives periodic bug-fix backports. The project is governed by an open community and released under the MIT License.
Key features
- 01Automates builds, tests, static analysis, and deployments
- 02Extensible through more than 2,000 plugins
- 03Pipelines can be defined as code
- 04Official distributions for WAR, Docker, native packages, and Windows
- 05Weekly and Long-Term Support release lines
Use cases
- Compiling and packaging projects automatically on every commit
- Running test suites to catch regressions early
- Deploying applications to staging or production environments
- Running static code analysis as part of a delivery pipeline
Quick start
- 1
Read the Downloads page and pick a distribution (WAR, Docker image, or native package)
- 2
Read the contributing guide for setting up a development environment
Things to know
- The README covers downloads and development setup only; no quick-run command is given for end users.
- Running from source requires a Java toolchain and build setup described in the contributing guide.
Topics
FAQ
- What is jenkins?
- Jenkins is an open-source automation server for building, testing, and deploying software, extensible through over 2,000 plugins. Jenkins is a Java-based automation server that runs the repetitive tasks of a development workflow. It is commonly used to build projects, run test suites so bugs surface as soon as they are introduced, perform static code analysis, and deploy software.
- Is jenkins free to use? What license does it have?
- jenkins is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
- Is jenkins still maintained?
- Actively maintained. The last commit to jenkins was on Oct 22, 2026.
- What can I use jenkins for?
- Compiling and packaging projects automatically on every commit Running test suites to catch regressions early Deploying applications to staging or production environments Running static code analysis as part of a delivery pipeline
- How do I install jenkins?
- Read the Downloads page and pick a distribution (WAR, Docker image, or native package) Read the contributing guide for setting up a development environment
- Where can I get jenkins?
- The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/jenkinsci/jenkins
Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.
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