Custom Plugin Development Overview

1. Introduction

Jenkins plugins extend the core functionality of Jenkins. Custom plugins allow you to tailor Jenkins to meet specific needs, enhancing build processes, integrating with external systems, or adding new features.

2. Setup Environment

Before developing a custom plugin, ensure your environment is set up correctly. Follow these steps:

1. Install Java Development Kit (JDK) 8 or higher.
2. Set up Apache Maven for project management.
3. Install Jenkins and configure it locally for testing.
4. Install Git for version control.

3. Plugin Structure

Every Jenkins plugin consists of several key components:

• src/main/java: Contains Java source files.
• src/main/resources: Holds resource files such as configuration files and web assets.
• pom.xml: Maven Project Object Model file that manages dependencies.

Here’s a basic structure of a Jenkins plugin:

my-plugin/
├── pom.xml
└── src/
    └── main/
        ├── java/
        │   └── com/
        │       └── example/
        │           └── MyPlugin.java
        └── resources/
            └── META-INF/
                └── MANIFEST.MF
                └── views/
                    └── myplugin.jelly
                └── config.xml
                

4. Development Process

Follow these steps to create a basic plugin:

1. Set up a new Maven project using the Jenkins archetype:

mvn archetype:generate -Dfilter=io.jenkins.archetypes:jenkins-plugin-archetype
                    

2. Implement your plugin logic in Java.
3. Define your plugin's functionality in the plugin.xml file.
4. Test your plugin locally on Jenkins.
5. Package your plugin using Maven:

mvn package
                    

5. Best Practices

Follow these best practices to ensure your plugin is maintainable and efficient:

• Keep your plugin up to date with Jenkins core changes.
• Leverage existing Jenkins plugins to reduce redundancy.
• Document your code and usage instructions clearly.
• Write unit tests for your plugin.

6. FAQ