Jenkins is an open source automation server that is widely used and extensible due to more than 400+ plugins. Plugins make Jenkins' integration with other tools very easy. You can create your own plugins also.

There are various categories of plugins available, such as Source Code Management, Slave launchers and controllers, Build triggers, Build tools, Build notifies, Build reports, Other Post-build Actions, External site/tool integrations, UI plugins, Authentication and user management, Android development, iOS development, .NET development, Ruby development, Library plugins, and so on.

1. Go to the Jenkins dashboard. Click on Manage Jenkins and then Manage Plugins:

2. Go to Available tab and select any plugin to install. Click on Install without restart:

3. Verify the successful plugin installation, as demonstrated in this next screenshot:

If installation is pending with restart, then restart Jenkins.

Once the plugin is installed, a specific block is added in a build job or in the relevant section in Manage Jenkins.

You only need to provide some parameters and credentials for integration of external tools or services with Jenkins.

Jenkins defines interfaces or abstract classes that model a facet of a build system. Interfaces or abstract classes define agreement on what needs to be implemented; and Jenkins uses plugins to extend those implementations.

• Visit the Plugin tutorial, https://wiki.jenkins.io/display/JENKINS/Plugin+tutorial for more details.