Most developers prefer Jenkins for automation. The integration of Jenkins with Jira will benefit the Project Manager to track every Migration Pipeline, create traceability for all work items, and fulfill compliance requirements for enterprises. In case of build failure or abortion of the Pipeline, it might be possible that Jenkins will populate all the Jira details. As a result, the Project Manager can faster check logs and troubleshoot errors.
In this article, you will gain a basic understanding of Jenkins and Jira and will also learn their key features. In addition, you will understand the need for Jenkins Jira Integration. Moreover, you will learn a comprehensive free, secure, and reliable method to connect Jira cloud with Jenkins. To make it easier for you, this article provides all the essential steps to set up and work with Jenkins Jira Integration.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Jenkins
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Jenkins is a leading Open-Source Automation Server Tool preferred by most Developers. Earlier, the Developers had to perform code testing to check for errors. But with the introduction of this CI/CD Developer tool under an MIT license has eased the process. It helps automate the whole building process, ensures continuous integration, and produces higher efficiency. It comprises more than 1500 plugins for best functioning. Jenkins is written in Java programming language and supports Windows platform, macOS, and other UNIX versions.
Earlier Developers had to invest more time and energy, but with Jenkins, they can find and fix errors at the initial stages. Also, it allows you to integrate the SDLC process and help create web applications. In 2010, Oracle took over Sun Microsystems. As a result, a new fork of Hudson named Jenkins was created. This new DevOps tool allows seamless testing and deployment of the new codes. Further, it helps reduce the tester’s burden and improves efficiency in code builds and verification processes. The top DevOps tool supports Master-Slave architecture.
Jenkins has heavy community support. The only disadvantage with Jenkins is it is more Developer-centric. Thus, it requires an experienced Developer to perform testing and deployment processes. Also, you may find a few minor issues, like Jenkins not starting up when you install certain plugins. Yet, overall it has touched many hearts and become one of the top DevOps tools.
Key Features of Jenkins
Some of the amazing features supported by Jenkins are:
- Easy to Setup: Jenkins is one of the best Automation tools that are compatible with macOS, Unix, Windows platforms. It is easy to install and can run as a servlet in Java containers. Remember, at the initial stage, you will need to JRE in the system for better installation.
- Provides Numerous Plugins: With Jenkins, you can find more than 1500 plugins that make the customization process easier. This feature additionally saves on cost and helps the Developers to overcome any overhead expense.
- Simple to Setup and Configure: It is much simple to set up and configure Jenkins with the help of provided documentation for the tool. You can easily find all the steps to configure and upgrade properly in the documentation. Thus, make it a smooth and hassle-free procedure.
- Parallel Execution and Work Distribution Support System: It is simple to integrate Jenkins with additional tools. Also, the automation tool supports parallel execution, which makes the work distribution easy.
To explore more about Jenkins, visit the official site here.
Introduction to Jira
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Introduced in 2002 by the Australian Company Atlassian, Jira is a trusted Software Development Tool used to plan, track issues, and projects management. Jira software is written in Java language and helps track bugs and issues visible in software and Mobile Applications. The demand for the Agile Development methodology by the software companies lead to the expansion of the Jira platform. Currently, the software development tool is available to various non-technical, software development, and IT teams.
Jira also comprises release management features and offers free Open-Source projects for those who meet certain criteria. Also, the Jira software comprises various functionalities and is the best tool to manage, report, track, and resolve bugs and issues in the software.
Key Features of Jira
Jira is a great Project Management tool. It offers a plethora of key features like:
- Agile Development: It is this fundamental application that allows smooth use of all Scrum boards and Kanban boards feature. Also, it can be used for all methods, like Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid.
- Reporting: The tool helps provide detailed information in an easy-to-understand format referred to as reports. These reports additionally help gain visibility on issues and bugs present in a software or application.
- Security System: People who are permitted to work as a team member of the given security level have the access to track a certain bug. Permission scheme and encryption in transit and at rest are default security features in Jira.
- Roadmaps: This feature enables users to create, handle and visualize stories. They also disclose when the bugs are scheduled to get fixed.
- Real-time Notification System: It provides email alerts as an issue gets updated. Also, for overdue tasks, the administrator has the choice to send reminders.
- Dashboard: You can view and customize the dashboard as per the need.
To learn more about Jira, visit the Jira HomePage.
Understanding the Need for Jenkins Jira Integration
Jira is a Software Development Tool, whereas Jenkins is an Open-Source Automation tool. The only purpose behind Jenkins Jira Integration is to create a free, easy, and secure way to connect the servers running behind the firewall. To begin the integration process, all you require is to add more lines that define Pipeline steps to the Jenkins file. As the administrator adds them to the Jenkins, the complete process to build, deploy, and link data to Jira issues will begin.
As a result, you will have access to more visibility on Jira issues, the latest build status, and successful deployments. You can also make use of Jira Query Language (JQL) to search across various Jira issues.
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Steps to Set up Jenkins Jira Integration
Before you begin setting up Jenkins Jira Integration, here are a few points to keep in mind.
- Remember, you have the right to be the Jira Cloud site’s administrator.
- Also, as an Admin to Jenkins, you have the authority to install, update and delete plugins.
- For deployment information, the team must add issue keys, such as FUSE-123, as part of their commit messages. However, for building information, the team must add a branch name.
- Also, make sure that you have the authority to edit Jenkinsfile in your source code/repo.
Follow the steps below to successfully set up your Jenkins Jira Integration using Jira Cloud Plugin:
Step 1: Create OAuth Credentials in Jira for Jenkins
- Go to Jira home and choose Apps from Jira Settings.
- Choose OAuth credentials and Create credentials.
- Now, fill in the following information:
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Step 2: Install the Jira Cloud Plugin
- Sign in to the Jenkins server and find the Plugin Manager.
- Click on the ‘Available‘ tab and type the plugin name ‘Atlassian Jira Software Cloud‘ in the search box.
- Now, install it.
Step 3: Add the OAuth Credentials in Jenkins
- Sign in to Jenkins and navigate to Manage Jenkins. Select Configure System screen and search for the Jira Software Cloud integration section.
- From this section, choose Add Jira Cloud Site, then Jira Cloud Site.
- A pop-up will appear displaying the Site name, ClientID, and Secret fields on your screen.
- Now, fill in the below-listed details:
- Jira Cloud site URL under the site name field. For instance, yourcompany.atlassian.net
- Visit the OAuth credentials screen and copy the value from the Client ID column for the Client ID field.
- For the secret field, choose to add and click Jenkins.
- Kind: Choose Secret text
- Secret: Add the OAuth credentials screen from the secret column
- Description: Add a unique and helpful description
- Now, select the new secret created recently.
- To make sure valid credentials are in use for your Jira site, choose Test Connection.
- Now, press Save.
Steps to Work with Jenkins Jira Integration
Now that you have learned the steps to set up Jenkins Jira Integration, in this section, you will understand how to work and load your data into Jenkins Jira Pipeline. So, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Build Jenkins Jira Snippets
- Navigate to Jenkins’s specific pipelines.
- Choose Pipeline Syntax from the left-hand menu.
- A dialog box will appear. Under the snippet generator section, a dropdown list of Sample Steps will be available. Fill in the details and choose jiraSendDeploymentInfo or jiraSendBuildInfo, or checkGatingStatus.
- Choose Generate Pipeline Script and paste the copied output in your Jenkinsfile. Make sure to place it where you are willing to notify Jira.
Step 2: Load Build Data to Jenkins Jira Pipeline
Have a look at an example snippet of the ‘Build’ stage installation in a Jenkinsfile. Once you have added the extra in the pipeline and it is on the run, all the build information will be posted at the branch name to your Jira Cloud site. In case of a Jira issue key in the branch name, such as TEST-123, it will send back the data to Jira.
stage('Build') {
steps {
echo 'Building...'
}
post {
always {
jiraSendBuildInfo site: '<sitename>.atlassian.net'
}
}
}
Step 3: Load Deployment Data to Jenkins Jira Pipeline
Check out the example snippet of a stage that performs when any change is made to the master branch. Make use of the post step to load deployment data to Jira and related issues. Make sure to set the environmentId, environmentName, and environmentType wherever you are willing to notify Jira. To add more context to deployment progress and result, include State and ServiceIds.
stage('Deploy - Production') {
when {
branch 'master'
}
steps {
echo 'Deploying to Production from master...'
}
post {
always {
jiraSendDeploymentInfo site: '<sitename>.atlassian.net', environmentId: 'us-prod-1', environmentName: 'us-prod-1', environmentType: 'production'
}
}
}
Step 4: Add Environment and Service Details for Jira
Site, Environment, and Service details work as parameters to build environment variables. To add the same in your Jenkins pipeline, follow the below-listed steps:
- Visit Jenkins and choose a Pipeline.
- Choose Configure > General tab.
- Make sure to check if the project is parameterized.
- Now, go to the Add Parameter and select the String parameter.
- Put the following details for your parameter – Name, Default Value, and Description.
- Now, click on Save.
Step 5: Fetch Keys using Custom Logic
As per the default settings, the plugin releases issue keys from all the commit messages present in the build’s change log section. You may override this behavior to make changes as per your mind. Also, later send the list issue keys in the form of issueKeys parameter.
jiraSendDeploymentInfo site: '<sitename>.xyz.net',
environmentId: 'us-prod1', environmentName: 'us-prod2',
environmentType: 'production', issueKeys: ['DEV-001', 'DEV-002']
Step 6: View Development Data in Jira
When committing or merging a Pull Request in your SCM tool (Bitbucket or GitHub) at the time of installation, it must run as per the specified Jenkins pipeline for that repo. On the right-hand side, you will find all the build and deployment information in the issue detail.
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Well Done!! You have finally learned the key steps to set up and work with Jenkins Jira Integration.
Conclusion
In this article, you gained a basic understanding of Jenkins and Jira. You learned their key features and understood the need to integrate Jenkins Jira. In addition, you understood the simple yet detailed steps to set up Jenkins Jira Integration. Moreover, you also learned the steps to load and view your data using Jenkins Jira Cloud Plugin.
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Share your experience of setting up Jenkins Jira Integration in the comments section below!