4 Beginner-Friendly Continuous Integration Books to Start With

Discover 4 Continuous Integration Books authored by leading experts like Joel Lord and Mitesh Soni, perfect for beginners eager to learn CI fundamentals.

Updated on June 25, 2025
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Every expert in Continuous Integration started exactly where you are now—curious but cautious about the complexity ahead. The beautiful thing about Continuous Integration is that anyone can begin, especially with the right guidance. As more teams embrace automation and rapid delivery, understanding CI pipelines is no longer optional but a vital skill that grows with you.

These four books, authored by seasoned professionals such as Joel Lord and Mitesh Soni, stand out by breaking down CI concepts into manageable, practical lessons. They focus on real-world tools like Jenkins, Tekton, GitLab, and AWS, making the journey accessible without overwhelming you. These authors bring their hands-on experience directly to your fingertips, guiding you beyond theory into confident practice.

While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized Continuous Integration book that meets them exactly where they are. This approach ensures you build skills that matter most to your projects and career path.

Best for hands-on Jenkins beginners
Mitesh Soni is a DevOps engineer passionate about improving organizational cultures using Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery practices. His hands-on approach to teaching YAML pipelines with Jenkins reflects his commitment to making DevOps accessible for beginners. Driven by a desire to simplify complex CI/CD concepts, he shares practical workflows for mobile and web applications, helping you build confidence in automating your software delivery processes.
2021·238 pages·Continuous Integration, CI/CD, Jenkins, YAML Pipelines, DevOps Culture

While working as a DevOps engineer, Mitesh Soni noticed how complex CI/CD pipelines could intimidate newcomers. His book simplifies this by guiding you through creating YAML pipelines for Android, Flutter, Ionic, and Angular apps using Jenkins. You'll learn to integrate static code analysis, unit testing, and code coverage checks into your workflows, gaining practical skills to improve code quality and deployment automation. This book suits beginners and technical professionals eager to build scalable CI/CD pipelines without getting lost in overly technical jargon or assumptions about prior DevOps mastery.

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Best for cloud-native pipeline beginners
Joel Lord is a developer advocate at MongoDB with a degree in computer programming and computational astrophysics. Passionate about technology and teaching, he wrote this book to help beginners grasp the power of Tekton for CI/CD pipeline automation in Kubernetes environments. His experience sharing knowledge at conferences shines through in the clear explanations and practical examples, making complex topics accessible for those new to cloud-native delivery systems.
2021·278 pages·CI/CD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, Tekton Pipelines, Kubernetes

Joel Lord, with his background in computer programming and computational astrophysics, wrote this book to demystify the complex world of CI/CD pipelines using Tekton, a Kubernetes-native framework. You learn how to create flexible and reusable pipeline components like tasks and workspaces, which are essential for automating application delivery across cloud environments. The book guides you through setting up Tekton Pipelines and Triggers, illustrating their usage with practical examples, such as automatically deploying applications upon code updates. If you’re comfortable with basic software development and Kubernetes concepts, this book offers a clear path to mastering cloud-native CI/CD systems without overwhelming you.

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Best for custom learning pace
This AI-created book on continuous integration is tailored to your experience and what you want to learn. You share your background and specific interests, whether it’s tools, pipeline design, or testing, and this book focuses on what matters most to you. By personalizing the content, it helps reduce confusion and builds your skills at a comfortable pace, making CI concepts clear and achievable.
2025·50-300 pages·Continuous Integration, Pipeline Basics, CI Tools, Jenkins Fundamentals, GitLab Pipelines

This tailored guide explores the foundational concepts of Continuous Integration (CI) with a focus on easing beginners into the field. It covers core principles, essential tools, and practical pipeline construction, all crafted to match your background and learning pace. By concentrating on your specific goals, this personalized book removes the usual overwhelm, enabling a clear, confident progression through CI essentials. The book reveals how to build and understand pipelines gradually, introducing key technologies and practices in a way that feels approachable. Its tailored approach fosters a learning experience designed around your comfort level, encouraging steady development in mastering CI workflows and tools.

Tailored Guide
Pipeline Simplification
1,000+ Happy Readers
Mastering Continuous Integration and Deployment with Jenkins and Docker on AWS offers a straightforward introduction to building robust CI/CD pipelines tailored for beginners. This book stands out by simplifying the complex AWS ecosystem and integrating tools like Jenkins and Docker into a practical workflow. It benefits developers aiming to automate deployment processes and ensure code quality through automated testing, making it a solid starting point for anyone entering the world of continuous integration and deployment.

Karibu Education's guide unfolds a clear, accessible path to mastering CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and Docker on AWS. It walks you through configuring essential AWS services like CodePipeline and CodeDeploy, equipping you to automate building, testing, and deploying applications smoothly. You'll get practical insights on optimizing Docker images and incorporating Selenium UI tests, which sharpen your deployment's reliability. This book suits developers new to CI/CD and those looking to deepen their cloud deployment skills without wading through overwhelming jargon or complexity.

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Best for GitLab pipeline newcomers
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, and his teaching approach in this book ensures that even newcomers can confidently navigate advanced pipeline techniques to improve their software delivery.
2024·302 pages·Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, GitLab, CI/CD, Software Development

The methods Adam Jones developed while working extensively with GitLab CI/CD transform complex pipeline configurations into accessible, manageable processes. You learn how to automate your deployment workflows, secure your builds, and leverage containerization techniques with Docker and Kubernetes, all detailed with practical examples and troubleshooting tips. The book’s chapters walk you through managing artifacts, integrating external services, and deploying across various environments, making it a solid resource whether you’re setting up your first pipeline or refining advanced workflows. If you want clear guidance on optimizing GitLab CI/CD without getting lost in jargon, this book is tailored for that purpose.

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Beginner CI Learning Made Personal

Build your Continuous Integration skills with tailored guidance that fits your pace and goals.

Tailored learning paths
Focused skill building
Practical CI insights

Many successful professionals started with these foundational CI skills

CI Pipeline Blueprint
YAML Pipeline Secrets
Cloud CI Mastery
GitLab CI Code

Conclusion

These four books each emphasize learning Continuous Integration through clear, step-by-step guidance and practical examples, making them ideal for newcomers. If you’re completely new, starting with Mitesh Soni’s Jenkins-focused guide offers a friendly introduction to pipeline basics. For those eager to explore cloud-native workflows, Joel Lord’s Tekton book provides a natural next step.

As you build confidence, Adam Jones’s GitLab guide introduces more advanced pipeline automation techniques, while the Jenkins and Docker on AWS book by Karibu Education bridges CI with cloud deployment essentials. This progression allows you to grow your skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Continuous Integration 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 mastering Continuous Integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Start with "Hands-on Pipeline as YAML with Jenkins" by Mitesh Soni. It offers a clear, practical introduction to Jenkins pipelines that's perfect for absolute beginners.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Continuous Integration?

No. Each book is designed with beginners in mind, breaking down complex concepts into understandable steps without assuming prior CI experience.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with the Jenkins or Tekton books to grasp foundational CI concepts, then progress to GitLab pipelines and AWS deployment for more advanced topics.

Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?

Basic software development familiarity helps, but these books explain CI concepts from the ground up, making them accessible even if you’re new to DevOps.

Will these books be too simple if I already know a little about Continuous Integration?

If you have some CI experience, these books still offer valuable practical workflows and examples, especially in specific tools like Tekton or GitLab.

Can I get a Continuous Integration book tailored to my specific goals and skill level?

Yes! While these expert books provide solid foundations, you can create a personalized Continuous Integration book tailored exactly to your background, interests, and learning pace for a focused study experience.

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