Beginner’s Guide to Installing and Running Jenkins on Linux (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

Introduction

In this guide, I walk you through a complete, beginner-friendly, step-by-step process for installing and setting up Jenkins on Linux — from installing Java, configuring Jenkins, unlocking your dashboard, to installing essential plugins and running your very first pipeline. Whether you’re new to DevOps or refining your automation skills, this tutorial shows you exactly what to click, what to run, and how to verify each step. By the end, you’ll have a fully working Jenkins environment and the confidence to start building CI/CD pipelines like a pro.

To install Jenkins on your Linux, you can just enter your Linux terminal. Go to the website https://www.jenkins.io/doc/book/installing/linux/ on your Linux Firefox browser.

Navigate to and click on ‘Linux’ on the left-side options, scroll down to find the command for Java installation, and copy the commands.

After you copy the command, go back to your Linux terminal and paste the command, and enter.

If it shows an error, run sudo snap install openjdk.

Go back to the website and scroll down to the weekly release, copy the commands, and paste them into your Linux terminal and enter.

Run the following commands to start Jenkins.

Run - sudo systemctl enable jenkins

Run - sudo systemctl start jenkins

Run - sudo systemctl status jenkins

press Q to quit.

Once running, open Jenkins in your browser.

Go back to your browser on the Jenkins tab, scroll down, and copy the Unlock Jenkins command (http://localhost:8080) and run it in a new tab within your browser.

It will ask for the administrative password.

To get your administrative password, copy the path shown in the browser under unlock Jenkins with red colors and run it on your Linux terminal. You will see your administrative password.

Use the password to unlock your Jenkins on the second tab, where the administrative password is needed, and click on continue.

If it’s successful, it will show WELCOME TO JENKINS!

You can sign in with your username and password.

After signing, navigate to settings and click on plugins, and install extensions like:

Azure credentials, AWS credentials, GO, Gradle repo, Ant, Docker/everything about Docker. After successfully downloading, check the box Restart Jenkins to restart.

To build a project, click on New Item on the home page and select the item you want to use. Wheather: Freestyle-Project, Pipeline, Multi-Configuration Project, OR Folder. Whatever you are using. and click OK.

Give it a name, select an item. For this, I am selecting a pipeline.

Select what is suitable for you from General to Advanced.

You can use a simple AI generative script. Thick the use Groovy sandbox box, Apply and Save.

Click on Build Now to build the pipeline.

Click the status to check its status.

Click on Console output to check if there’s an error.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve successfully installed and configured Jenkins on your Linux machine, unlocked your dashboard, installed essential plugins, and even run your first pipeline. You’ve taken the foundational steps every DevOps engineer needs to begin automating builds and deployments with confidence.

With Jenkins now up and running, you’re ready to explore more advanced CI/CD workflows, integrate cloud services like AWS and Azure, and start building real-world automation projects. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and continue leveling up your DevOps journey—one pipeline at a time.

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