Jenkins is an open-source automation server built with Java that provides over 2,000 plugins to support automating virtually anything across development workflows.
Jenkins solves the problem of repetitive manual tasks in software development by automating building, testing, static code analysis, and deployment. It executes these tasks automatically so developers can focus on work that requires human judgment. The tool works by providing a plugin-based architecture where users configure automation workflows, with plugins extending functionality across virtually any development tool or platform.
Jenkins suits teams of any size looking to automate their development process. It is commonly used for building projects, running tests to catch bugs early, performing static code analysis, and managing deployments. The tool offers two release lines: a weekly release line with frequent updates including new features and bug fixes, and a Long-Term Support line with periodic bug fix backports for those preferring stability. Official distributions are available as WAR files, Docker images, and native packages for Linux and Windows platforms.
The project maintains a substantial base of adopters, with almost all open issues raised by outside users rather than the core team, indicating real-world usage at scale. Maintainers typically respond to new issues and pull requests within a few days. Work in the issue tracker is dominated by imported JIRA issues, unresolved items, and core component discussions.
