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Jenkins

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Using the CLI in a CI/CD pipeline

We’ve optimized the Checkly CLI to work in any CI/CD workflow. Here are the basics you need to know that will come in handy when adapting the examples we give you to your own, specific setup.

For authentication, make sure to set the CHECKLY_API_KEY and CHECKLY_ACCOUNT_ID parameters as environment variables in your CI/CD platform.
Set the reporter you want to use for the test command using the --reporter flag, i.e. --reporter=dot.
To store a test session with full logging, traces and vides, set the --record flag for the test command.
Use the --force flag on the deploy and / or destroy commands to skip the normal confirmation steps.

When using the --record flag, the CLI will attempt to parse git specific information from the environment to display in the recorded test session as metadata. However, you can also set these data items specifically by using environment variables.

item	auto	variable	description
Repository	false	`repoUrl` in `checkly.config.ts` or `CHECKLY_REPO_URL`	The URL of your repo on GitHub, GitLab etc.
Commit hash	true	`CHECKLY_REPO_SHA`	The SHA of the commit.
Branch	true	`CHECKLY_REPO_BRANCH`	The branch name.
Commit owner	true	`CHECKLY_REPO_COMMIT_OWNER`	The committer’s name or email.
Commit message	true	`CHECKLY_REPO_COMMIT_MESSAGE`	The commit message.
Environment	false	`CHECKLY_TEST_ENVIRONMENT`	The environment name, e.g. “staging”

Check the CLI command line reference for more options.

Configuring Jenkins to run the Checkly CLI

As the Checkly CLI is a Node.js project, the main step you need to take is install the NodeJS plugin.

In Jenkins, go to Manage Jenkins → Plugins → Available plugins and look for the NodeJS plugin and install it.
After installing the NodeJS plugin, we need to configure it. Head over to Manage Jenkins → Tools and click “Add NodeJS”

Jenkins Nodejs config

We recommend using any Node.js stable version higher than 16.x.

Set your Checkly credentials

Navigate to Manage Jenkins → Manage Credentials to add your Checkly account ID and API key to your preferred scope. Store them as “secret text” and assign and ID to the credential.

Jenkins Nodejs config

Configuring the Jenkins Pipeline

Add the Jenkinsfile to your repo that defines the basic stages and steps. Make sure to set up your SCM settings correctly so Jenkins can fetch your git repo and look for the Jenkinsfile in the root of your project.

Jenkins Nodejs config

The actual contents of your Jenkinsfile will differ based on your code and how you deploy. But in general, your pipeline should look as follows:

You deploy your application first.
You install the required dependencies for the Checkly CLI.
You run the checkly test command.

// Jenkinsfile
pipeline {
    agent any

    tools {nodejs "Node 18"}
    environment {
        CHECKLY_API_KEY = credentials('checkly-api-key')
        CHECKLY_ACCOUNT_ID = credentials('checkly-account-id')
        CHECKLY_TEST_ENVIRONMENT='production'
    }

    stages {
        stage('Deploy') {
            steps {
                echo 'Deploying....'
            }
        }
        stage('Dependencies') {
            steps {
                sh 'npm ci'
            }
        }
        stage('checkly test') {
            steps {
                sh 'npx checkly test --record'
            }
        }
        stage('checkly deploy') {
            when {
                branch "main"
            }
            steps {
                sh 'npx checkly deploy --force'
            }
        }
    }
}

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Last updated on April 12, 2024. You can contribute to this documentation by editing this page on Github