7 Jenkins Books for Beginners That Build Real Skills

Discover beginner-friendly Jenkins books authored by experts like Nikhil Pathania and R. Parvin, perfect for starting your Jenkins journey.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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Every expert in Jenkins started exactly where you are now—at the beginning. The beauty of Jenkins lies in its accessibility to newcomers willing to learn and build progressively. As continuous integration and delivery redefine software development, mastering Jenkins opens doors to better automation and deployment workflows.

These books, authored by professionals deeply immersed in DevOps and CI/CD, offer clear, structured guidance tailored for those new to Jenkins. From setting up your first pipeline to managing Jenkins administration on cloud or on-premises, these resources balance theory and hands-on practice without overwhelming you.

While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized Jenkins book that meets them exactly where they are.

Best for building foundational Jenkins CI/CD skills
Nikhil Pathania is a solutions architect at Arla Foods with deep expertise in Agile, DevOps, and cloud technologies. His hands-on experience implementing CI/CD frameworks at multinational companies shapes this book’s clear, structured approach to mastering Jenkins. Designed with beginners in mind, Pathania’s guidance helps you build operational, secure, and resilient CI/CD pipelines, leveraging modern tools like Kubernetes and AI to streamline your software delivery.
2024·396 pages·Continuous Delivery, Jenkins, CI/CD, DevOps, Continuous Integration

Drawing from his extensive experience in Agile, DevOps, and cloud technologies, Nikhil Pathania transforms the complex landscape of Jenkins and CI/CD into a manageable journey for you. This third edition guides you through setting up secure, scalable pipelines using real-world examples, from deploying Jenkins on the cloud with Helm charts to integrating AI tools like ChatGPT for pipeline code optimization. You’ll gain practical skills in Jenkins declarative syntax, GitOps principles, and maintaining robust CI/CD environments that scale with your projects. Whether you’re a student or an experienced engineer transitioning to continuous deployment, this book equips you with concrete methods to improve your software delivery process.

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Best for mastering Jenkins pipeline automation basics
R. Parvin is a recognized expert in DevOps and Continuous Integration with extensive software development experience. Drawing on his background, he crafted this book to guide professionals new to Jenkins through mastering continuous integration and delivery. His approach focuses on demystifying core concepts while providing hands-on instruction to build and optimize pipelines, making this resource especially accessible for those looking to streamline their DevOps workflows.
2024·254 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, DevOps, Automation, Pipeline Management

While working as a DevOps professional, R. Parvin noticed many struggled to grasp Jenkins beyond basic usage, which drove him to write this book. You’ll learn how to install Jenkins, create and manage pipelines with the Jenkins DSL, and integrate tools like Maven and GitHub effectively. Specific chapters detail multibranch pipeline management and advanced techniques such as secrets handling and job chaining, giving you practical know-how to automate complex workflows. This book suits developers, DevOps engineers, and system administrators aiming to harness Jenkins for scalable CI/CD pipelines without getting overwhelmed.

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Best for custom learning paths
This AI-created book on Jenkins pipelines is crafted based on your background and skill level. You share which pipeline topics interest you most and your specific learning goals, and then receive a book that focuses on exactly what you need. This personalized approach helps reduce overwhelm by pacing the content to your comfort, making Jenkins pipeline fundamentals accessible and engaging. Tailored learning like this ensures you build confidence steadily without getting lost in unnecessary complexity.
2025·50-300 pages·Jenkins, Jenkins Basics, Pipeline Fundamentals, Continuous Integration, Pipeline Syntax

This tailored book explores Jenkins pipeline fundamentals through a personalized journey designed specifically for newcomers. It covers core concepts progressively, building your confidence by matching the learning pace to your background and comfort level. By focusing on foundational topics that remove overwhelm, it reveals the essential elements needed to start creating and managing Jenkins pipelines effectively. The book examines practical pipeline creation steps and explains key Jenkins components in a clear, approachable way. This personalized guide ensures your learning experience aligns with your specific goals, fostering steady progress without confusion or frustration. It’s the perfect starting point for anyone eager to master Jenkins pipelines with a tailored, beginner-friendly approach.

Tailored Guide
Pipeline Fundamentals
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for beginners managing Jenkins infrastructure
Calvin Sangbin Park, a seasoned CI/CD DevOps engineer at NVIDIA, brings hands-on expertise with Jenkins across diverse hardware and software projects. His practical approach targets beginners by breaking down complex Jenkins setups, focusing on production-grade deployment and scaling strategies. Park’s background in automating builds for devices ranging from Arduino boards to industrial lasers gives this guide a unique depth, making it an accessible starting point for those new to Jenkins administration.
2021·438 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, DevOps, Jenkins Configuration, Pipeline Automation

Calvin Sangbin Park's extensive experience as a CI/CD DevOps engineer at NVIDIA shaped this guide to removing common barriers for Jenkins newcomers. You’ll learn to set up a production-ready Jenkins instance on AWS and on-premises, integrate CI/CD pipelines triggered by GitHub pull requests, and apply Jenkins Configuration as Code for setup automation. The book dives into scaling challenges, security policies, upgrade planning, and performance bottlenecks, offering insights for both beginners and those aiming to optimize existing Jenkins environments. If you're starting out or managing Jenkins at scale, this book delivers clear, practical knowledge without overwhelming complexity.

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Best for advancing Jenkins automation knowledge
Jonathan Mcallister is a recognized expert in Continuous Integration and Delivery, with extensive experience in software development and automation. He has authored several books on Jenkins and related technologies, helping professionals streamline their software delivery processes. His insights into Jenkins architecture and implementation have made him a sought-after speaker and consultant in the field. This book reflects his ability to teach Jenkins concepts clearly, making it a solid starting point for those who want to move beyond basics and implement Jenkins in real-world organizational settings.
Mastering Jenkins book cover

by Jonathan Mcallister··You?

2015·334 pages·Jenkins, DevOps, Automation, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery

Jonathan Mcallister is a recognized authority in Continuous Integration and Delivery, and this book reflects his deep experience in software automation. You’ll learn how to configure Jenkins to support scalable software delivery pipelines, including setting up master/slave architectures and integrating tools like Jira and Amazon EC2. The book walks you through building, testing, and deploying automation workflows that fit real development environments, with clear explanations of advanced configurations such as XML setups and REST API usage. If you already have basic Jenkins knowledge and want to apply it organizationally, this book provides practical guidance without overwhelming you with jargon.

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Best for learning Jenkins YAML pipelines
Mitesh Soni is a DevOps engineer passionate about improving organizational cultures using Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery practices. His expertise shines through in this beginner-friendly guide that simplifies YAML pipeline creation across multiple app platforms. Soni’s focus on continuous improvement and practical examples makes this book a great starting point for anyone looking to master Jenkins pipelines without getting overwhelmed.
2021·238 pages·CI/CD, Continuous Integration, Jenkins, DevOps, Pipeline Development

Mitesh Soni draws from his deep experience as a DevOps engineer passionate about cultural improvement through Continuous Integration and Delivery to create a clear path for beginners. You’ll learn how to write YAML pipelines tailored for mobile and web apps like Flutter, Ionic, Android, and Angular, with practical chapters dedicated to each platform. The book breaks down complex concepts such as static code analysis, unit testing, and pipeline best practices into digestible parts, making it approachable without oversimplifying. If you’re new to Jenkins and want a solid introduction that guides you through actual pipeline creation and quality assurance, this book fits the bill perfectly.

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Best for building confident CI/CD skills
This AI-created book on Jenkins CI/CD is crafted precisely for your background and skill level. It focuses on the foundational concepts and essential workflows you want to master without unnecessary complexity. By tailoring the content to your pace and goals, this book helps you build confidence step-by-step, making Jenkins approachable and manageable. It’s designed to ease you into continuous integration and delivery so you can learn comfortably and effectively.
2025·50-300 pages·Jenkins, Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, Jenkins Basics, Pipeline Creation

This tailored Jenkins guide explores the essentials of continuous integration and delivery with a focus on your unique background and learning pace. It reveals foundational CI/CD concepts and walks you through building and managing Jenkins workflows designed to build your confidence without overwhelming complexity. This personalized approach matches your current skill level and addresses your specific goals, helping you grasp core Jenkins pipeline structures and deployment basics effectively. The book covers progressive topics from setting up your first Jenkins jobs to understanding pipeline automation, all tailored to create a comfortable and engaging learning experience. You engage deeply with CI/CD through clear, step-by-step explanations suited to your interests and progress.

Tailored Guide
Pipeline Automation
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for hands-on declarative pipeline practice
Ankita Patil is a DevOps evangelist and continuous learner focused on driving organizational change through Agile and DevOps practices. Her expertise ensures this book gently guides you through Jenkins pipeline creation and deployment strategies, making complex CI/CD concepts more approachable for those new to the field.
2021·514 pages·CI/CD, Jenkins, DevOps, Pipeline Creation, Continuous Integration

Drawing from their deep experience in DevOps, Ankita Patil and Mitesh Soni developed this guide to simplify Jenkins-based CI/CD pipelines for mobile, web, and hybrid apps. You learn how to build declarative pipelines tailored to diverse languages like Java, NodeJS, and Flutter, while mastering continuous code inspection and test coverage publishing. Practical chapters cover deploying to Azure services, Kubernetes, and app distribution platforms, making it concrete rather than abstract. If you're starting in DevOps or Jenkins and want clear, language-specific pipeline examples, this book fits well; however, total beginners without any development or cloud background might find some topics challenging.

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This book stands out as a practical entry point for anyone stepping into Jenkins and CI/CD automation. It lays out the process of building a fully automated pipeline on AWS, combining Jenkins and Docker with cloud services like CodePipeline and CodeDeploy. The approach balances basic concepts with hands-on setup, making it accessible to newcomers who want to understand how continuous integration and deployment work in real environments. By covering testing integration and deployment best practices, it addresses common pain points in pipeline creation and gives you tools to manage your software delivery lifecycle effectively.

After analyzing the demands of modern DevOps environments, Karibu Education crafted this guide to demystify the setup of CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and Docker on AWS. You’ll walk through configuring AWS services such as CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy, gaining hands-on skills to automate build, test, and deployment workflows. The book also dives into integrating Selenium UI tests and optimizing Docker images, which sharpens your ability to maintain high-quality, efficient deployments. If you’re aiming to move beyond theoretical knowledge and want a clear path to building reliable automation pipelines, this book offers the practical foundation you need without overwhelming jargon.

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Begin Jenkins Confidently in 10 Minutes

Build your Jenkins skills with personalized guidance that fits your goals and pace.

Customized learning paths
Focused Jenkins topics
Efficient skill building

Many Jenkins beginners built careers starting with these foundations

Jenkins Starter Blueprint
CI/CD Fundamentals Code
Pipeline Success Formula
Jenkins Confidence System

Conclusion

These seven Jenkins books share a commitment to approachable learning and practical application. They cover everything from foundational pipeline creation with YAML or declarative syntax to managing Jenkins infrastructure and integrating cloud services like AWS and Docker.

If you're completely new, start with Learning Continuous Integration with Jenkins or Jenkins by R. Parvin for clear introductions to core concepts. For step-by-step progression, explore Jenkins Administrator's Guide and Hands-on Pipeline as Code with Jenkins to deepen your operational skills.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Jenkins book that fits your exact needs, interests, and goals to create your own personalized learning journey. Building a strong foundation early sets you up for success in mastering Jenkins.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Start with "Learning Continuous Integration with Jenkins" by Nikhil Pathania. It’s designed to introduce Jenkins fundamentals clearly and builds your skills progressively without assuming prior knowledge.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Jenkins?

No, each book is crafted with beginners in mind, offering step-by-step guidance. For example, "Hands-on Pipeline as YAML with Jenkins" simplifies complex pipeline concepts for newcomers.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational titles like "Learning Continuous Integration with Jenkins" and "Jenkins" by R. Parvin. Then move to administration and pipeline-focused books like "Jenkins Administrator's Guide" and "Hands-on Pipeline as Code with Jenkins."

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Focus on relevance to your learning goals rather than just publication date. Newer books cover recent Jenkins features, but classics like "Mastering Jenkins" provide strong architectural insights valuable for beginners and beyond.

Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?

No prior Jenkins experience is required. These books introduce concepts from the ground up, assuming only basic software development or DevOps familiarity in some cases.

Can I get a Jenkins learning path tailored to my specific goals and pace?

Yes! While these expert books offer solid foundations, you can also create a personalized Jenkins book tailored to your background, interests, and learning speed for a customized journey.

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