Configure Build Tools in Jenkins and Jenkinsfile | Jenkins Tutorial

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of configuring build tools in Jenkins, specifically focusing on Gradle and Yarn. These tools are essential for building and packaging applications effectively. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to install and use these tools within your Jenkins pipeline, enhancing your continuous integration and deployment processes.

Step 1: Check Existing Build Tools in Jenkins

Before installing new build tools, it's important to verify which ones are already available in your Jenkins setup.

• Navigate to your Jenkins dashboard.
• Open the Manage Jenkins section.
• Select Global Tool Configuration.
• Look for sections labeled Gradle and Yarn to see if they are already configured.

Step 2: Install npm and Yarn via Jenkins Plugins

If the required build tools are not available, you can install them using Jenkins plugins.

• Go to the Manage Jenkins section.
• Click on Manage Plugins.
• Under the Available tab, search for:
  • NodeJS Plugin for npm and Yarn.
• Check the box next to the plugin and click Install without restart.
• Once installed, return to the Global Tool Configuration page.
• Find the NodeJS section and configure npm and Yarn by specifying their installation paths.

Step 3: Configure Gradle in Jenkins

To use Gradle in your Jenkins builds, you need to configure it appropriately.

• On the Global Tool Configuration page, find the Gradle section.
• Click Add Gradle.
• Choose the option to install automatically or specify the path to an already installed Gradle version.
• Save your changes.

Step 4: Create a Jenkinsfile with Gradle and Yarn

The Jenkinsfile is where you define your pipeline's build process using these tools.

• Create a new file named Jenkinsfile in the root of your project repository.
• Use the following sample structure:

pipeline {
    agent any 

    stages {
        stage('Build with Gradle') {
            steps {
                script {
                    // Use Gradle commands
                    sh './gradlew build'
                }
            }
        }
        
        stage('Install Dependencies with Yarn') {
            steps {
                script {
                    // Use Yarn commands
                    sh 'yarn install'
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 5: Run the Pipeline

Once your Jenkinsfile is created, you can initiate the build process.

• Push your changes to the repository.
• Navigate to your Jenkins dashboard.
• Create a new pipeline job or configure an existing one to point to your repository.
• Trigger the build and monitor the console output for any errors or success messages.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to configure Gradle and Yarn in Jenkins, check for existing tools, and create a Jenkinsfile to automate your build processes. By following these steps, you can streamline your development workflow and improve the efficiency of your CI/CD practices. As next steps, consider exploring additional plugins or configurations specific to your application's needs.