8 Beginner CI/CD Books to Kickstart Your DevOps Career

Discover 8 CI/CD books written by leading experts like Joel Lord and Nikhil Pathania, perfect for newcomers eager to build foundational skills.

Updated on July 1, 2025
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0 of 8 books have Audiobook versions

Every expert in CI/CD started exactly where you are now—with curiosity and a desire to learn the ropes without feeling overwhelmed. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery are transforming software development, making it vital to grasp these practices early. The beauty of CI/CD lies in its accessibility; with the right resources, you can build your skills step-by-step and start automating your workflows confidently.

The books curated here come from authors who have deep practical experience and a passion for teaching. Joel Lord, a developer advocate at MongoDB, breaks down Tekton pipelines with clarity, while Nikhil Pathania, a solutions architect at Arla Foods, guides you through Jenkins CI/CD processes designed for newcomers. These authoritative works balance theory and hands-on examples, making complex concepts approachable.

While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized CI/CD book that meets them exactly where they are. This way, you get targeted guidance aligned perfectly with your background and aspirations.

Best for hands-on Jenkins beginners
Audiobook version not available
Nikhil Pathania is a seasoned solutions architect with deep expertise in Agile, DevOps, and cloud technologies, known for leading CI/CD implementations at multinational companies. His ability to translate complex software lifecycle concepts into accessible guidance shines through this book, which reflects his commitment to helping teams adopt resilient and efficient CI/CD processes. This background assures you’re learning from someone who’s navigated the challenges of real-world software delivery and now shares those insights to help you build your own pipelines with confidence.
2024·396 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, Continuous Delivery, DevOps, Pipeline Automation

This book offers a clear pathway for first-time learners to grasp continuous integration using Jenkins, blending foundational theory with hands-on implementation. Nikhil Pathania draws on his extensive experience in Agile and DevOps to guide you through building secure, scalable CI/CD pipelines, covering everything from cloud deployment with Helm charts to AI-assisted pipeline code. You’ll explore practical techniques such as Jenkins Configuration as Code, integrating tools like SonarQube, and extending pipelines towards continuous deployment. If you’re seeking to understand the nuts and bolts of CI/CD in a way that balances theory with actionable examples, this book suits developers, testers, and project managers ready to improve their software delivery.

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Best for Kubernetes-focused beginners
Audiobook version not available
Joel Lord, a developer advocate at MongoDB with a background in computer programming and computational astrophysics, brings his passion for technology and teaching to this book. His experience sharing knowledge at conferences is reflected in the approachable style that helps demystify Tekton pipelines. This book was written to help developers with beginner-level Kubernetes skills gain confidence in building automated CI/CD systems using Tekton, tying together practical pipeline construction with Kubernetes-native workflows.
2021·278 pages·CI/CD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, Kubernetes, Tekton Pipelines

Drawing from his background in computer programming and astrophysics, Joel Lord offers a clear introduction to building CI/CD pipelines with Tekton. You’ll learn how to compose reusable tasks, manage data sharing with workspaces, and automate deployments using Tekton Triggers within Kubernetes environments. The book breaks down complex concepts like WhenExpressions and Secrets, making them accessible for those with beginner-level Kubernetes knowledge. If you want a practical guide that moves beyond theory to actual Tekton pipeline construction, this book suits you, especially if you're aiming to adopt cloud-native CI/CD practices.

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Best for custom learning pace
Audiobook version not available
This AI-created book on CI/CD fundamentals is tailored to your current experience and learning goals. By sharing your background and which topics you want to focus on, you receive a book that walks you through CI/CD concepts at a comfortable pace. This approach helps remove overwhelm and builds your confidence step-by-step, making the complex world of CI/CD approachable and relevant to your personal journey.
2025·50-300 pages·CI/CD, CI/CD Basics, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, Pipeline Setup

This tailored book offers a progressive introduction to continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), designed specifically to match your background and comfort level. It covers foundational principles and practical practices that newcomers need to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. The content focuses on step-by-step explanations and targeted examples that align with your specific learning pace and goals, making the complex world of CI/CD accessible and engaging. By concentrating on your interests and skill level, this personalized guide reveals how to gradually develop the skills required to become a confident CI/CD practitioner, transforming your approach to DevOps workflows with clear, manageable steps.

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Best for YAML pipeline newcomers
Audiobook version not available
Mitesh Soni is a DevOps engineer passionate about improving organizational cultures using Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery practices. His expertise shines through in this book, where he breaks down complex pipeline concepts into approachable steps. Driven by a commitment to continuous improvement, Soni’s beginner-friendly approach offers a clear gateway into Jenkins YAML pipelines, making this an ideal starting point for those new to CI/CD.
2021·238 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, Continuous Integration, YAML Pipelines, DevOps Culture

Drawing from his hands-on experience as a DevOps engineer, Mitesh Soni crafted this guide to demystify YAML pipelines in Jenkins for CI/CD beginners. You’ll learn how to build and manage pipelines specifically tailored for mobile and web apps using Flutter, Ionic, Android, and Angular. The book walks you through core concepts like static code analysis with SonarQube, unit testing, and package distribution, all explained with clarity suitable for newcomers. If you want a practical introduction that balances foundational theory with real code examples, this book offers a straightforward path, especially if you already have some development or cloud computing background.

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Best for multi-platform pipeline beginners
Audiobook version not available
Ankita Patil, a DevOps evangelist and Agile practitioner, brings her commitment to organizational change and continuous learning into this book. Her focus on empowering IT professionals to harness DevOps benefits shines through in the clear, accessible guidance provided. This work reflects her dedication to helping newcomers navigate CI/CD pipelines effectively, making complex deployment processes approachable for those starting their DevOps journey.
2021·514 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, Pipeline As Code, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery

Drawing from their hands-on experience in DevOps and Agile practices, Ankita Patil and Mitesh Soni developed this book to simplify CI/CD implementation for developers working across multiple platforms. You learn how to build declarative pipelines in Jenkins tailored for Java, Android, iOS, AngularJS, NodeJS, Flutter, and .Net applications, complete with static code analysis, unit testing, and deployment strategies. Each chapter walks you through pipeline configurations for different programming languages, showing how to integrate quality gates and deploy to environments like Azure Kubernetes and Docker. This book suits anyone from beginners with basic development knowledge to DevOps engineers seeking practical pipeline examples without overwhelming jargon.

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Best for Jenkins system administrators
Audiobook version not available
Calvin Sangbin Park, a CI/CD DevOps engineer at NVIDIA, brings deep practical experience to this guide. Having automated builds for everything from Android tablets to industrial lasers, he writes with the clarity of someone who’s faced Jenkins challenges firsthand. His focus on beginner-friendly instruction combined with advanced scaling techniques makes this book uniquely suited to those wanting to grow their Jenkins mastery from foundation to production-ready setups.
2021·438 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, Pipeline Automation, Configuration As Code, Scaling Jenkins

What started as Calvin Sangbin Park's extensive hands-on work automating diverse builds—from Arduino Maker boards to industrial laser firmware—became a resource that removes barriers for newcomers to Jenkins. You’ll learn to set up production-grade Jenkins instances on AWS or behind corporate firewalls, build CI/CD pipelines triggered by GitHub pull requests, and master Jenkins Configuration as Code for reproducible setups. The book dives into scaling strategies, security policies, and troubleshooting bottlenecks, making it a solid choice if you want practical skills to manage Jenkins in real environments. While it’s accessible for beginners, it also includes in-depth topics that benefit intermediate users aiming to optimize Jenkins at scale.

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Best for personal learning paths
Audiobook version not available
This AI-created book on CI/CD pipelines is tailored to your skill level and specific goals. You share your background and the pipeline topics you want to focus on, and the book is crafted to guide you through the fundamentals at a comfortable pace. It removes the usual overwhelm by targeting exactly what you need to learn, helping you build practical pipeline skills step-by-step.
2025·50-300 pages·CI/CD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, Pipeline Basics, Automation Setup

This tailored book explores the essentials of creating and automating CI/CD pipelines, designed specifically to match your background and learning pace. It covers foundational concepts clearly, helping you build confidence step-by-step while avoiding overwhelm. Through a personalized approach, the book focuses on your interests and skill level, ensuring you grasp key pipeline components and automation techniques effectively. By tailoring the content, it guides you through practical examples and core topics that matter most to your goals. Whether you are new to CI/CD or looking to solidify your understanding, this book provides a comfortable, targeted learning experience that evolves with your progress.

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Best for practical Jenkins users
Audiobook version not available
R. Parvin is a recognized expert in DevOps and Continuous Integration with extensive experience in software development and automation. He wrote this book to help professionals like you streamline workflows and master Jenkins, a pivotal tool in CI/CD. His clear, methodical approach makes complex Jenkins concepts accessible, equipping you to build reliable pipelines and accelerate your DevOps career.
2024·254 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, DevOps, Pipeline Creation, GitHub Integration

While working as a DevOps specialist, R. Parvin noticed many newcomers struggle to grasp Jenkins' complexities. This book breaks down the core CI/CD principles and methodically guides you through everything from installation and pipeline creation to advanced Jenkins features like multibranch pipelines and plugin integration. You’ll learn how to automate builds, manage GitHub connections, and troubleshoot effectively, all tailored to elevate your workflow. If you’re aiming to move beyond basics and truly harness Jenkins in your DevOps role, this book offers a clear path without overwhelming jargon, though those seeking only surface-level info might find it detailed.

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Best for GitLab CI/CD starters
Audiobook version not available
Adam Jones is a recognized authority in software development, specializing in CI/CD practices. With years of experience in the tech industry, he has helped numerous organizations optimize their development workflows. His insights into GitLab CI/CD have made him a sought-after speaker and consultant. This book reflects his deep expertise and commitment to making complex GitLab CI/CD concepts accessible for those beginning their journey and those aiming to enhance their skills.
2024·302 pages·CI/CD, GitLab, Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, Pipeline Automation

When Adam Jones noticed many developers struggling to harness GitLab CI/CD's full capabilities, he set out to create a guide that bridges that gap. You’ll learn how to automate pipelines, manage artifacts, and deploy multi-environment applications effectively, with chapters dedicated to Docker and Kubernetes integration. This book is ideal if you’re starting out with GitLab CI/CD or looking to deepen your understanding of advanced pipeline strategies. Its straightforward style cuts through jargon, making complex concepts approachable without oversimplifying.

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Best for container orchestration beginners
Audiobook version not available
Docker, Kubernetes, and Swarm Mastery offers a clear path into containerization and orchestration for newcomers and experienced practitioners alike. This book’s focus on integrating GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipelines sets it apart, helping you automate your software delivery with confidence. By covering everything from Docker basics and multi-container setups to advanced Kubernetes strategies and deployment techniques, it equips you to handle real-world challenges in container management. Whether you’re a developer or system administrator, this guide addresses your need to modernize infrastructure and streamline deployments in today’s fast-evolving DevOps landscape.
2024·361 pages·CI/CD, DevOps, Containerization, Docker, Kubernetes

R. Parvin challenges the conventional wisdom that mastering container orchestration and CI/CD pipelines requires steep learning curves by breaking down Docker, Kubernetes, and Swarm into approachable, practical lessons. You learn how to build and manage containerized applications step-by-step, from Docker image creation and volume management to advanced Kubernetes techniques like rolling updates and autoscaling. The integration of GitHub Actions for CI/CD offers you concrete ways to automate builds, tests, and deployments, illustrated through real-world case studies that bring concepts to life. If you're a developer or DevOps engineer looking to gain solid, actionable know-how on containerization without feeling overwhelmed, this book fits that need well.

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Conclusion

The collection of CI/CD books here offers a clear pathway from basic understanding to practical application. If you’re completely new, starting with "Learning Continuous Integration with Jenkins" or "Hands-on Pipeline as YAML with Jenkins" will ease you into core concepts without overwhelm. For a deeper dive into managing Jenkins or exploring container orchestration, books like "Jenkins Administrator's Guide" and "Docker, Kubernetes, and Swarm Mastery" provide valuable next steps.

Progressing through these titles allows you to build confidence with each layer of complexity, gradually mastering tools and techniques that power modern software delivery. Alternatively, you can create a personalized CI/CD book that fits your exact needs, interests, and goals to create your own personalized learning journey.

Remember, building a strong foundation early sets you up for success in the evolving landscape of DevOps and CI/CD. With the right resources, your journey into automated pipelines and continuous delivery can be both manageable and rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Learning Continuous Integration with Jenkins" for a balanced mix of theory and practice tailored for beginners. It offers clear explanations without jargon, making it a great entry point into CI/CD.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to CI/CD?

No, each book is chosen for its beginner-friendly approach. Titles like "Hands-on Pipeline as YAML with Jenkins" and "Building CI/CD Systems Using Tekton" introduce concepts gradually, assuming little prior experience.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational books focused on Jenkins or Tekton, then explore pipeline automation and container orchestration. This progression builds your skills logically and confidently.

Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?

Basic familiarity with software development helps, but these books are designed to guide you step-by-step, making them accessible even if you're new to CI/CD concepts.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Hands-on Pipeline as Code with Jenkins" offers practical pipeline examples across multiple platforms, letting you apply techniques to real-world projects quickly.

Can I get personalized guidance tailored to my learning pace and goals?

Yes! While these expert books provide strong foundations, creating a personalized CI/CD book lets you focus on exactly what you need, matching your background and ambitions for efficient learning.

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