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Guide · Open source

How to use Jenkins-Zero-To-Hero: install Jenkins and Docker on EC2

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Jenkins-Zero-To-Hero is a written and video guide by Abhishek Veeramalla for installing Jenkins on an AWS EC2 Ubuntu instance and configuring Docker so Jenkins can use it as a build agent. It is aimed at beginners who want a guided first Jenkins setup. By the end of the guide you should have Jenkins running in your browser, the Docker Pipeline plugin installed, and Docker permissions set for the jenkins user.

Jenkins-Zero-To-Heroiam-veeramalla/Jenkins-Zero-To-Hero · ★ 10.1k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Launch an EC2 Ubuntu instance. In the AWS Console, open your running instances and launch an Ubuntu instance.
  2. 2Install Java. Run sudo apt update and sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre, then check with java -version.
  3. 3Install Jenkins. Add the Jenkins apt key and source, then run sudo apt-get update and sudo apt-get install jenkins.
  4. 4Open port 8080. Add an inbound rule in the instance's security group so you can reach Jenkins on TCP 8080.
  5. 5Finish Jenkins setup. Open http://<ec2-instance-public-ip-address>:8080, enter the output of sudo cat /var/lib/jenkins/secrets/initialAdminPassword, and install the suggested plugins.
  6. 6Install the Docker Pipeline plugin and Docker. Install the Docker Pipeline plugin from Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins, restart Jenkins, then install docker.io and grant the jenkins user Docker permissions.

What do you need before you start?

The guide assumes an AWS account with a running EC2 Ubuntu instance. You also need Java (JDK). The README installs OpenJDK 17 JRE.

The commands and screenshots target this AWS and Ubuntu setup, so other operating systems or cloud providers may need different steps.

  • An AWS account with an EC2 Ubuntu instance
  • Java (JDK); the README uses openjdk-17-jre

How do you install Java and Jenkins on Ubuntu?

Connect to your instance, install Java, and check that it worked. Then add the Jenkins package source and install Jenkins with apt.

The README runs the Jenkins install commands as one block, including adding the signing key and the apt source file.

sudo apt update sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre java -version curl -fsSL https://pkg.jenkins.io/debian/jenkins.io-2023.key | sudo tee \ /usr/share/keyrings/jenkins-keyring.asc > /dev/null echo deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/jenkins-keyring.asc] \ https://pkg.jenkins.io/debian binary/ | sudo tee \ /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jenkins.list > /dev/null sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install jenkins

How do you open Jenkins in the browser on port 8080?

By default AWS blocks inbound traffic, so Jenkins is not reachable from outside. Add an inbound rule in the instance's security group for port 8080. The README allowed All traffic for convenience, but notes you can allow only custom TCP 8080 instead.

Once the port is open, go to the URL below using your instance's public IP. Then run the command to read the admin password, enter it, click Install suggested plugins, and create a first admin user (or skip that step).

  • In EC2, open Instances, select your Instance-ID, then the Security tab and its security group.
  • Add an inbound rule. Either allow TCP 8080 only, or All traffic as the README did.
  • Visit http://<ec2-instance-public-ip-address>:8080 and wait for the suggested plugins to install.
sudo cat /var/lib/jenkins/secrets/initialAdminPassword

How do you install the Docker Pipeline plugin?

The Docker Pipeline plugin lets Jenkins work with Docker from pipelines. Install it from the Jenkins interface, then restart Jenkins.

  • Log in to Jenkins.
  • Go to Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins.
  • In the Available tab, search for "Docker Pipeline".
  • Select the plugin and click Install.
  • Restart Jenkins after the plugin is installed and wait for it to come back.

How do you set up Docker as a Jenkins build agent?

Install Docker on the same Ubuntu machine. Then give the jenkins user and the ubuntu user permission to use the Docker daemon, restart Docker, and restart Jenkins.

The README describes this as the Docker agent configuration. Granting the jenkins user Docker access is powerful, so read the security note in the verdict before using this beyond a learning setup.

sudo apt update sudo apt install docker.io sudo su - usermod -aG docker jenkins usermod -aG docker ubuntu systemctl restart docker

What is not covered in this guide?

The repository name and README mention building end-to-end pipelines, CI/CD, deploying to Kubernetes and Argo CD. The text provided for this page only documents the Jenkins and Docker setup. If you need Kubernetes or Argo CD steps, use the companion YouTube video or another source, because those steps are not in the README excerpt.

What people use it for

  • Run a first Jenkins server on a cloud VM to learn the interface and plugins
  • Use Docker as a Jenkins build agent so builds run inside containers on an Ubuntu host
  • Follow a video walkthrough while checking each step against the written commands

Frequently asked questions

Is Jenkins-Zero-To-Hero free to use?

The repository is licensed under MIT. The guide itself is a set of README steps and a companion YouTube video. Your AWS EC2 instance may incur charges from AWS, which this guide does not cover.

What do I need to install Jenkins with this guide?

You need an AWS account with an EC2 Ubuntu instance and Java (JDK). The README uses openjdk-17-jre. The commands are written for Ubuntu on AWS EC2.

Why can't I open Jenkins on port 8080?

AWS blocks inbound traffic by default. Add an inbound rule in your instance's security group that allows TCP 8080, or All traffic as the README did, then open http://<public-ip>:8080.

Where is the Jenkins initial admin password?

Run sudo cat /var/lib/jenkins/secrets/initialAdminPassword on the instance and enter the output on the Jenkins unlock screen.

Does this guide cover Kubernetes and Argo CD?

The repository description mentions deploying to Kubernetes and Argo CD in a GitOps way, but the README text provided only covers installing Jenkins and configuring Docker. Those steps are not documented in this excerpt.

What are alternatives to Jenkins for CI/CD?

Comparable projects listed for this item are GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Tekton and Drone CI. Pick based on where your code lives and whether you want a self-hosted server.

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Our verdict

This guide suits beginners who want a guided first Jenkins install on an AWS EC2 Ubuntu instance, especially with a companion video. It is not a production setup: it opens port 8080 widely and gives the jenkins user Docker access. If you need Kubernetes, Argo CD or non-Ubuntu hosts, choose a different guide or tool.

Install options & downloads