Jenkins Snap: Test Latest Candidate Build

Dec 13, 2025 by Admin 42 views

Hey snapcrafters and Jenkins enthusiasts! We've got a fresh build of Jenkins (version 2.541) ready for you to kick the tires on. This version has just landed in the latest/candidate channel on the snap store, and we're calling all testers, especially those in the snapcrafters community, to dive in and give it a whirl. Your feedback is super valuable in making sure everything is shipshape before it hits the stable channel. We've got specific revisions available for different CPU architectures, so whether you're running on amd64, arm64, or armhf, there's a build waiting for you. We're aiming to catch any potential bugs or regressions early, so please, lend us your testing prowess!

Why Testing Jenkins Snap Builds Matters

Alright guys, let's talk about why testing these Jenkins snap builds is a big deal. When we push a new version to a channel like latest/candidate, it's like a dress rehearsal before the big show. We want to make sure that this powerful automation server, Jenkins, plays nicely with your systems when packaged as a snap. The snap format is awesome because it bundles everything Jenkins needs to run, making installation and management a breeze. However, this packaging can sometimes introduce unique challenges or interact differently with your OS than a traditional installation. By testing on the latest/candidate channel, you're helping us identify any issues specific to the snap packaging, dependency conflicts, or integration problems before they affect a wider audience on the stable channel. Think of yourselves as the first responders, catching those sneaky bugs that might otherwise go unnoticed until much later. Your efforts in testing Jenkins directly contribute to a more robust, reliable, and user-friendly Jenkins experience for everyone. Plus, it's a great way to stay on the bleeding edge of Jenkins development and contribute meaningfully to the open-source community. So, grab your favorite test machine, dive into the steps below, and help us make this Jenkins snap the best it can be!

Automated Testing: Our First Line of Defense

We've got some neat automated testing set up to catch the obvious stuff, and if it's configured correctly, you'll see test results and screenshots posted right here as a comment. This is our first pass, ensuring the basic functionalities are working as expected. The automated suite aims to cover core aspects of the Jenkins snap, like installation, startup, and basic configuration checks. It’s designed to be quick and efficient, giving us an initial confidence boost in the build's stability. However, as we all know, automated tests can't catch everything. There are always nuances in real-world usage, specific user workflows, and complex environment interactions that only human testers can truly uncover. That's where you guys come in! While we appreciate the work of our automated systems, they are not a replacement for genuine, hands-on testing by experienced users like yourselves. So, even if the automated tests pass with flying colors, don't hesitate to perform your own deep dives. Your unique testing scenarios and the specific ways you interact with Jenkins are invaluable. Keep an eye on the comments for these automated reports; they provide a baseline for our testing efforts and can often highlight areas that might need extra attention during manual testing. It’s a collaborative effort, with automation and human ingenuity working hand-in-hand to ensure quality.

How to Manually Test the Jenkins Snap

So, you're ready to roll up your sleeves and manually test the Jenkins snap? Awesome! It's a straightforward process, but it requires a few key steps to ensure you're testing the right version and that your system is clean for testing. First things first, if Jenkins is already running on your system, you'll want to stop it. This prevents any potential conflicts or issues when upgrading. Once stopped, you'll perform the upgrade to the new version. Just copy and paste this command into your terminal: snap refresh jenkins --channel latest/candidate. This command tells your snap system to specifically grab the latest build available in the latest/candidate channel and install it. After the refresh command completes, you've successfully upgraded! Now comes the fun part: start Jenkins back up and dive into your testing. Explore its features, try out your common workflows, and see if everything behaves as you expect. Pay attention to performance, stability, and any new functionalities or changes introduced in version 2.541. Once you've completed your testing, we need your valuable feedback. Please, post a comment below detailing your experience. Was it smooth sailing? Did you encounter any hiccups? Critically, please include the output of the following command in your comment: snap version; lscpu | grep Architecture; snap info jenkins | grep installed. This command provides essential system information and details about the Jenkins snap installation, which is crucial for diagnosing any issues you might report. Your detailed feedback, combined with this system data, is gold!

Step-by-Step Manual Testing Guide

Let's break down the manual testing procedure for the new Jenkins snap build. Following these steps meticulously will ensure that your testing is thorough and that the data you provide is accurate and useful for the development team. It’s all about consistency and detail, guys.

Stop Jenkins (If Running): Open your terminal and execute the command sudo snap stop jenkins. This ensures that no instance of Jenkins is active, preventing potential conflicts during the upgrade process. If you're unsure if it's running, you can try snap status jenkins first. If it shows as active, proceed with the stop command.
Upgrade to the Candidate Build: This is the core step where you switch to the new version. Run the following command in your terminal: sudo snap refresh jenkins --channel latest/candidate. Be patient as the snap client downloads and installs the specified version. You should see output indicating the progress.
Verify the Installation: After the refresh command finishes, it's a good idea to quickly verify that the correct version is indeed installed. You can use snap info jenkins to check the installed version and channel. Look for version: 2.541 and confirm it’s listed under the latest/candidate channel.
Start Jenkins: Now that the new version is in place, start it up with: sudo snap start jenkins. Again, monitor the output for any errors. You can also use snap status jenkins to confirm it's running.
Perform Your Tests: This is where you get to be the detective! Launch Jenkins through your browser (usually http://localhost:8080 or similar, depending on your setup). Test out your typical workflows. Do you build jobs? Do you use plugins? Are you setting up new pipelines? Try out the new features if any are advertised for this release. Specifically, look for:
- Stability: Does Jenkins crash or become unresponsive?
- Performance: Is it slower or faster than before?
- Functionality: Do all the features you rely on work correctly?
- Plugin Compatibility: If you have specific plugins installed, check if they still work.
- New Features: Explore any changes or new additions in version 2.541.
Gather System Information: Before reporting, collect the vital system data. Execute this command in your terminal:
```
snap version; lscpu | grep Architecture; snap info jenkins | grep installed
```
This command outputs the snap client version, your system's CPU architecture, and detailed information about the installed Jenkins snap, including its version, channel, and revision number. This context is crucial for debugging.
Report Your Findings: Finally, come back here and leave a comment. Clearly state whether your testing was successful or if you encountered any issues. Be as detailed as possible about the problems. And most importantly, paste the output from the snap version; lscpu | grep Architecture; snap info jenkins | grep installed command you gathered in the previous step. Your feedback is what helps us improve!

How to Promote the Jenkins Snap to Stable

For our Jenkins snap maintainers, promoting a build from the latest/candidate channel to latest/stable is a critical step in the release process. It signifies that the build has undergone sufficient testing and is deemed ready for general availability. The process is streamlined through a simple command executed within this discussion thread. You'll use the /promote command, followed by the revision number(s) you wish to promote, the target channel (latest/stable), and optionally, a done keyword to close this issue. For instance, if you want to promote a single revision, say revision 4971, you would type /promote 4971 latest/stable. If you need to promote multiple revisions, like 4971 and 4972, you would use /promote 4971,4972 latest/stable. To promote all the revisions that were just pushed (4971, 4972, 4973) and simultaneously close this testing request, you can use the command: /promote 4971,4972,4973 latest/stable done. This command structure ensures clarity and efficiency. It allows us to precisely control which revisions move to stable and helps in tracking the release process. Remember, promoting to stable should only be done after thorough testing and confirmation that the build meets quality standards. Your responsible use of this command ensures a smooth and reliable experience for all Jenkins snap users. Let's keep those releases tight, guys!

Promoting Specific Revisions

When you're ready to promote specific Jenkins snap revisions, precision is key. Let's say you've tested revision 4971 for amd64 and it's solid, but maybe 4972 for arm64 needs a little more scrutiny. In such cases, you wouldn't want to promote both blindly. The /promote command allows you to select individual revisions. So, to move only revision 4971 to the stable channel, you would issue the command: /promote 4971 latest/stable. This command targets only that specific revision, leaving others in the candidate channel for further testing or potential fixes. This granular control is incredibly useful for managing releases across different architectures or when dealing with staggered testing feedback. It ensures that only well-vetted revisions make their way to the general user base, maintaining the stability of the latest/stable channel. Always double-check the revision numbers you are promoting to avoid unintended consequences. Maintainers, your careful selection here is crucial for user trust and product quality.