How to Install and Configure Jenkins on Debian 13

To install Jenkins on Debian 13, follow the steps below.

Step 1 : Update the package index to make sure your system is up to date.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2 : Jenkins requires Java to run. Install OpenJDK.

sudo apt install fontconfig openjdk-21-jre -y

Verify the Java installation:

java -version

Step 3 : Add the official Jenkins GPG key to your system.

sudo wget -O /etc/apt/keyrings/jenkins-keyring.asc \
  https://pkg.jenkins.io/debian-stable/jenkins.io-2023.key

Step 4 : Add the Jenkins APT repository.

echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/jenkins-keyring.asc]" \
  https://pkg.jenkins.io/debian-stable binary/ | sudo tee \
  /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jenkins.list > /dev/null

Step 5 : Reload the package lists to include the Jenkins repository.

sudo apt update

Step 6 : Install Jenkins using APT.

sudo apt install jenkins -y

Step 7 : If you are using UFW firewall, allow Jenkins default port.

sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp

Step 8 : Start the Jenkins service.

sudo systemctl start jenkins

Step 9 : Ensure Jenkins starts automatically after reboot.

sudo systemctl enable jenkins

Step 10 : Retrieve the initial administrator password required for the first login.

sudo cat /var/lib/jenkins/secrets/initialAdminPassword

Copy and save this password.

Step 11 : Open a web browser and go to:

http://server_ip:8080

- Log in using the initial admin password

- Choose Install suggested plugins and wait for Jenkins to download and install the required plugins.

- Allow Jenkins to finish installing all plugins before continuing.

- Create a new Jenkins user by providing a username, password, full name, and email address.

- Confirm or update the Jenkins URL, then save and continue.

- When you see the message Jenkins is ready, click Start using Jenkins.

Congratulations, you have successfully installed and configured Jenkins on Debian 13.