Jenkins X: Cloud-Native CI/CD

Cloud-native has changed how we build and run apps. It’s given us tools that make things faster and more reliable. But, with these new tools come new ways of doing things. One of the trickiest parts is setting up a good CI/CD, which stands for Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery, pipeline that works well with the cloud. That’s where Jenkins X comes in, which provides a cloud-native way of building CI/CD. This Jenkins X guide will show you how.

Table of Contents

What is Jenkins X?

Jenkins X is a cloud-native CI/CD platform built for Kubernetes. It’s built on top of Jenkins, a well-known automation server, but it takes things a step further by adding more automation for cloud setups. Unlike Jenkins which needs a lot of hand-tuning, Jenkins X is more automated. Think of Jenkins X as Jenkins, but better, for the cloud.

Jenkins X makes sure the CI/CD process is more streamlined, it lets you build, test and release apps on Kubernetes more quickly and consistently. It gives you an opinionated setup, one that is built on best practices for cloud-native apps, it helps you use tools and workflows that are common for cloud setups.

Why Use Jenkins X?

You may be wondering, why should I pick Jenkins X when Jenkins already exists? Here’s why you might find Jenkins X helpful:

Faster Setups: Jenkins X gets you started quickly with default setups for common tasks. No more lengthy setup times.
Cloud Focus: It’s made to work with Kubernetes. So, you get the benefits of Kubernetes without much extra effort.
Automation: Many CI/CD steps are automated, which means you spend less time on config and more on your code.
Simplified Pipeline: The pipelines are made to be easy to use. You get pipelines that work with cloud setups without having to build them yourself.
Built-in Tools: It comes with tools like Helm for Kubernetes package management, and Skaffold for faster builds and deploys. You use proven tools without having to set them up.

Essentially, Jenkins X is built to give you an out of the box CI/CD experience that works well with cloud-native setups, letting you focus on making apps instead of spending time trying to set up how to deploy them.

How Does Jenkins X Work?

Jenkins X works by automating the whole CI/CD process, which starts from the moment code is committed to version control to when it is deployed to Kubernetes. Here’s a step-by-step look at how it works:

Code Commit: It all starts with your code. When you commit your code to a Git repository like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket, Jenkins X detects that a new commit has occurred.
Build and Test: Jenkins X will trigger a pipeline to build and test the code. It’ll make a container image by using tools such as Docker or Buildpacks, then run tests to make sure that the new code is working properly.
Package and Promote: If the build and tests are successful, Jenkins X packages the application with tools like Helm, and then promote the new version through different environments, such as staging and production. It pushes container images to a container registry and makes Helm charts to organize deployable units.
Deploy: Jenkins X then deploys these packages to Kubernetes, which means your app is now up and running. This process uses GitOps which treats the Kubernetes setup as a git repository. Changes are made by pushing changes into the git repository which are synced to Kubernetes.
Feedback: It also provides feedback during each stage, so you know how the process is progressing and if there are any issues.

At its core, Jenkins X is a set of tools and workflows made to automate how you get code from your computer into the cloud. This way, you and your team spend less time on setup and more time building and releasing code.

Key Features of Jenkins X

Jenkins X comes packed with features that make it a powerful CI/CD tool for cloud setups. Here’s a more detailed look at some key features:

Automated Pipelines: Jenkins X gives you automated CI/CD pipelines, it sets them up for you, so you don’t have to do that manually. This automation can free you up from the complex work of pipeline creation and config.
Preview Environments: It has preview environments, also known as “pull request environments”, where you can see and test your changes before you deploy them to staging or production. When a developer opens a pull request, Jenkins X automatically sets up a temporary preview environment for that branch, so everyone can check if changes are working as expected before they’re merged.
GitOps Support: With Jenkins X, you use GitOps, a process where all changes to your Kubernetes setup are managed using git repositories. Every change is recorded and tracked. This gives you better control and auditing, and it’s helpful for compliance.
Automatic Promotion: It does automatic promotion between environments, once tests pass it automatically promotes code changes through the pipeline, from staging to production. This can help you speed up the process and reduce mistakes due to manual work.
Integration with Other Tools: Jenkins X can work with other tools you already use, such as GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Docker, Helm, and Skaffold.
Pluggable Architecture: It uses a pluggable architecture where the core is kept minimal. Instead it allows users to add what they need via plugins, so that users are not stuck with features they do not need.

These features, when working together, make Jenkins X a full, automated CI/CD platform for cloud-native apps. It gets you up and running quickly and allows you to ship code often with low effort.

Setting Up Jenkins X

To use Jenkins X, you have to set it up properly. The setup process may look a bit intimidating, but it’s more straightforward when broken down into steps. Here’s how you can do it:

Install Prerequisites: Before you install Jenkins X, make sure you have the following tools set up:
- Kubernetes Cluster: You need a Kubernetes cluster running, which can be a local cluster such as Minikube, or a cloud cluster such as Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) or Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS).
- kubectl: This is the Kubernetes command-line tool, it’s used for cluster management.
- Helm: The Kubernetes package manager is required to install and manage applications on Kubernetes.
- jx CLI: This is the Jenkins X command-line interface, this is how you will interact with Jenkins X.
Install Jenkins X: Now you can use the jx CLI to install Jenkins X onto your Kubernetes cluster by using this command:

bash jx install
The install command will guide you through the required configurations for the install.
Configure Git: Jenkins X needs to know how to access your Git provider (such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket), you will need to set up an API token so that it is able to perform automated tasks.
Create a New Project: You can create a new project by using this command:

bash jx create quickstart
This command will create a sample project and set up the necessary CI/CD pipelines. Jenkins X has multiple quickstarts for different programming languages and use cases.
Import an Existing Project: If you have an existing project, you can import it by using this command:

bash jx import

This command will detect the tech stack of your project and set up the required pipelines.
Verify the Setup: After the project has been created or imported, verify that the CI/CD pipeline is running and deploying correctly to your Kubernetes cluster.

While this looks like a lot of steps, they are mostly automated by the jx CLI, so Jenkins X is relatively simple to get started with. This initial setup lays the groundwork for using Jenkins X to automate your development workflows.

Core Concepts of Jenkins X

To truly get the most out of Jenkins X, you must have a good understanding of its core concepts, here are some key ones that you’ll need to learn:

Environments: In Jenkins X, environments are how you define where your apps are deployed, such as staging or production. Each environment is connected to a Git repo, so all changes are versioned and tracked via Git.
Pipelines: A pipeline in Jenkins X is a workflow for building, testing, and deploying your application. Pipelines are automated, they run once there is a new commit to the repository.
GitOps: Jenkins X follows the principles of GitOps. The state of the Kubernetes cluster is configured via git, and any changes to the infrastructure have to be made by modifying the git repository, which is then applied automatically to the Kubernetes cluster.
Preview Environments: As mentioned earlier, these are temporary environments, usually created for testing pull requests. Each one is a clone of your main app but is deployed to a unique URL, which lets everyone test changes in isolation before they’re merged.
Applications and Charts: Applications are software units, and Helm charts are how you manage them in Jenkins X. Every application is packaged as a Helm chart, which contains all the config and definitions for Kubernetes to deploy and run your app.
Promotions: Promotions mean that once a build passes tests, Jenkins X will promote it to other environments, such as staging and then to production by using the GitOps setup.
Activities: Activities are what Jenkins X calls every pipeline execution. The jx CLI gives you the ability to see the current status of each activity, allowing you to keep track of the builds.

Having a solid understanding of these concepts lets you work better with Jenkins X. It also allows you to set up and manage your cloud CI/CD pipelines.

Best Practices for Using Jenkins X

To get the best out of Jenkins X, keep these best practices in mind:

Use GitOps: Take full advantage of the GitOps capabilities in Jenkins X. Every change to the infrastructure should come from a Git commit, this not only helps with auditability but it also acts as a form of version control for your setup.
Make Use of Preview Environments: Make sure to use preview environments, they allow for tests and reviews before the changes are merged, this helps find bugs and issues early.
Automate Tests: Make sure you have good automated tests that run as part of the CI/CD pipelines. Automated tests ensure you have good quality and help catch any errors.
Keep Charts Small: Keep your Helm charts focused and small so that they are more manageable and easy to deploy.
Monitor Your Pipelines: Set up monitoring for your CI/CD pipelines, that way you can get notified of issues, and you can also keep track of the overall health of your system.
Use Secrets Management: Keep secrets secure by using a secrets manager that Jenkins X is configured with. Avoid hardcoding any secrets directly into the source code, and instead retrieve them from a secure vault.
Keep Up-to-date: Keep your Jenkins X installation up-to-date with the latest patches to ensure you have all the latest security updates and bug fixes.

When you follow these best practices, you can make sure that your Jenkins X CI/CD setup is reliable, efficient, and secure. These actions also let you maximize its advantages for your cloud-native projects.

Jenkins X vs. Other CI/CD Tools

When you are looking for a tool, it’s often good to compare it with others to get a more complete idea, let’s compare Jenkins X with other well-known CI/CD tools:

Jenkins: Jenkins is a very common automation server, it is very flexible but it also has a lot of manual setup. Jenkins X is built on top of Jenkins but it comes with pre-configured setups, tools, and workflows for cloud-native setups. Jenkins is generic, but Jenkins X is tailored for Kubernetes.
GitLab CI: GitLab CI is a part of GitLab, it is known for its integration with GitLab’s git repository, and its ease of use. Jenkins X is geared towards complex cloud-native CI/CD setups, whilst GitLab CI is a good choice for projects hosted on GitLab.
GitHub Actions: GitHub Actions is GitHub’s integrated CI/CD tool, it uses workflows defined in YAML files. It’s good for small to medium projects that are hosted on GitHub. Jenkins X is more opinionated, it’s more suited to complex setups, and it gives you more options via plugins.
CircleCI: CircleCI is another popular CI/CD tool known for its ease of use and integrations. But Jenkins X has a strong focus on Kubernetes and GitOps that is not as strong with CircleCI.
Tekton: Tekton is a Kubernetes-native CI/CD tool, its goal is to be very customizable and give you building blocks to make your own pipelines. Unlike Jenkins X, Tekton doesn’t give you any default settings, instead, it gives you more raw power.

Jenkins X stands out because of its strong focus on Kubernetes, GitOps, and automatic setups that work well in cloud setups, all while building upon the proven Jenkins platform. Other tools give you similar benefits, but none of them quite have the same mixture of pre-built setups and cloud-native functionality.

Common Challenges with Jenkins X

Although Jenkins X is a good tool, it’s not without its challenges. Here are some common issues you might run into:

Complexity: Although the tool automates a lot, there is a learning curve to use it effectively. Especially when you need to customize the pipelines to suit your specific needs.
Setup Issues: You may encounter some issues when you first set up Jenkins X, which may include environment issues, permissions, or issues connecting with external services.
Resource Intensive: Jenkins X can be resource intensive due to Kubernetes, meaning the cluster will need to scale to handle the overhead of CI/CD operations, especially with large projects and more complex workloads.
Plugin Issues: While plugins give you flexibility, they may not be properly maintained or compatible with every setup. This may cause bugs or compatibility issues.
Debugging Pipelines: Sometimes debugging the pipelines can be tricky, especially when dealing with complex workflows or custom scripts.
Monitoring: Although Jenkins X has monitoring tools, it requires extra effort to fully monitor the entire CI/CD setup and to gather useful metrics.

Being aware of these issues can help you prepare and troubleshoot them when you encounter them. Many issues can be resolved via its community forums and documentation. Knowing how to debug and fix common issues can make the Jenkins X journey much smoother.

The Future of Jenkins X

Jenkins X is actively being developed and has a strong community of developers who are pushing its future forward. Here are some things that might be coming:

Improved UX: The Jenkins X team is working to make the tool easier to use, and more user-friendly, and easier to understand, which can attract even more developers.
Better Integration: They are also improving integrations with other tools and services, this means it can more easily slot into the existing workflows that you might already have.
Enhanced Security: Securing the CI/CD pipelines is a priority, and there are features being worked on that will enhance its security setup.
More Advanced Features: More advanced features are also in development, such as better monitoring, analytics, and better support for complex cloud-native patterns.
Community Growth: The community behind Jenkins X is growing, meaning there is more support, tutorials, examples, and shared knowledge.

Jenkins X is constantly changing, it wants to be the leading cloud-native CI/CD platform, and the efforts of the community show that it’s on the right path.

Is Jenkins X Right For You?

Jenkins X is a great tool, but it’s not for everyone, before choosing it you should consider your project and needs:

You Should Use It If:
- You are working on cloud-native projects with Kubernetes.
- You prefer automated, opinionated setups over fully custom tools.
- You value GitOps and preview environments as part of your workflow.
- You have a team that’s already familiar with cloud concepts and you are okay with some initial learning.
You Might Not Need It If:
- You have simple deployment needs that don’t require advanced CI/CD.
- You are not using Kubernetes, and instead are using virtual machines or other platforms.
- You are looking for full control over every step in the pipeline.
- You are not willing to go through some learning when setting up the system.

It all comes down to your goals, your technical knowledge, and the overall size and complexity of your project. If you are looking for a tool that can handle cloud-native workflows with Kubernetes, then Jenkins X is a good choice.

Embracing Cloud-Native CI/CD with Jenkins X

Jenkins X offers a solid option for cloud-native CI/CD, with all its automated pipelines, preview environments, and GitOps integration, it can take some complex tasks away from your to-do list. Jenkins X does all this by using tools and workflows that are commonly used by cloud setups, helping you create reliable and reproducible setups. By following the best practices outlined, and understanding the key concepts of Jenkins X, you can ensure your project runs efficiently in the cloud.