Jenkins command line
Jenkins command line or Jenkins CLI is a tool by which we can manage Jenkins task from the command line. Its very user-friendly approach to handling Jenkins day to day task it offers several features like create a job, run job, export job, take console output, create a view, install the plugin and much more. By Jenkins CLI it is easy to call Jenkins job from any script and take the console output and perform complex tasks. Jenkins CLI require less memory as compare to Jenkins GUI. Jenkins has a built-in command line interface called Jenkins CLI that allows the user to access Jenkins from a script or from your shell. This is convenient for bulk updates, automation of routine tasks, trouble diagnosis, and so on. jenkins CLI require JAVA JAR file to set up and run Jenkins task. You can download the JAR file for the client from the URL “http://localhost/jnlpJars/jenkins-cli.jar” on your Jenkins server,To configure Jenkins CLI some prerequisite needs to set up.
- Install Jenkins either on windows or Linux.
- Jenkins service should up and running.
- Enable security option under “Configure Global Security” Go to Jenkins dashboard in Homepage ( e.g http://localhost:8080/ ) -> Manage Jenkins -> Configure Global Security -> Click on “Enable security” checkbox
- Take the Jenkins User ID and API Token for the user.
- Go to Jenkins dashboard in Homepage ( e.g http://localhost:8080/ ) and click to the username and go to configure and select the API token.

jenkins_user:fc3fedfdc32334e9c1345edf43359df4 > jenkins_api_token
Jenkins CLI Examples:-
1. Connect and authenticate with Jenkins Server and show help.
java -jar jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080/ help
2. Find the User details by running who am I command.
java -jar ./jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080 -auth @jenkins_api_token who-am-i
3. Show the existing job list.
java -jar ./jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080 -auth @jenkins_api_token list-jobs
4. Run the existing build (test1).
java -jar ./jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080 -auth @jenkins_api_token build test1
5. Get the existing build (test2) configuration file in XML format.
java -jar ./jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080 -auth @jenkins_api_token get-job test2
6. Run the Existing Build (test2) with the parameter like (Choice parameter and String parameter). In below command test2 is my build name and Centos is my Choice parameter.
java -jar ./jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080 -auth @jenkins_api_token build test2 -s -v -p env=Centos
7. Show the console output after run job.
java -jar Jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080/ -auth @jenkins_api_token console test2 -n 10
JOB: Name of the job
BUILD: Build number or permalink to point to the build. Defaults to the last
build
-f : If the build is in progress, stay around and append console output as
it comes, like ‘tail -f’
-n N : Display the last N lines
8. Copy build.
java -jar jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080/ -auth @jenkins_api_token console copy-job SRC DST
Copies a job.
SRC : Name of the job to copy
DST : Name of the new job to be created.
9. Connect the Node.
java -jar Jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080/ -auth @jenkins_api_token console connect-node NAME ... [-f]
Reconnect to a node(s)
NAME Slave name or empty string for master; the comma-separated list is
supported
-f : Cancel any currently pending connect operation and retry from scratch
10. Restart Jenkins.
java -jar Jenkins-cli.jar -s http://localhost:8080/ -auth @jenkins_api_token restart
So these are some example of Jenkins CLI try in your environment.