IntroductionPre-installation requirementsInstallingVerifying Docker imagesUninstalling
IntroductionPre-installation requirementsInstallingVerifying Docker imagesUninstalling
IntroductionPre-installation requirementsInstallingVerifying Docker imagesUninstalling
IntroductionPre-installation requirementsInstallingVerifying Docker imagesUninstalling
IntroductionPre-installation requirementsInstallingVerifying Docker imagesUninstalling
IntroductionPre-installation requirementsInstallingVerifying Docker imagesUninstalling
IntroductionSystem requirementsVerifying Docker imagesInstalling operations centerInstalling client controllersInstalling build agentsVerifying build componentsVerifying WAR files
IntroductionInstallation on CloudBees CI on modern cloud platforms (active/active)Installation for CloudBees CI on traditional platforms (active/active)Specific High Availability (active/passive) installation for CloudBees CI on traditional platforms
IntroductionPipeline termsPipeline project typesCloudBees Pipeline benefits
IntroductionUsing Pipeline development utilitiesDetermining plugin compatibilityPipeline best practices
IntroductionPrerequisitesCreating your first PipelineCreating Pipelines in SCMCreating Pipelines in Web UIUsing Pipeline as Code
IntroductionConfig Adv ScriptedConfig Build StageConfig Deploy StageConfig Optional Step ArgsConfig Test StageCreating JenkinsfileCustomizing ParametersHandling FailuresString InterpolationUsing Multiple AgentsWorking With The Env
IntroductionManaging artifactsTracing artifactsTriggering jobs with a simple webhookRestoring filesVisualizing PipelineInserting checkpointsSecuring PipelinesConfiguring Pipelines with user-scoped credentialsUsing Pipeline PoliciesSpecifying a matrix of one or more dimensionsConverting a Freestyle project to a Declarative Pipeline
IntroductionRestarting aborted buildsLong-running buildsSkip next buildConsolidated Build View pluginCloudBees Quiet Start pluginCloudBees Template pluginCloudBees Git Validated Merge pluginCloudBees Workspace Caching
IntroductionTrigger a job with a notification event using Cross Team CollaborationEnable external notification events with external HTTP endpointsCluster-wide copy artifactsCluster-wide job triggers
IntroductionSetting up a Pipeline Template CatalogDefining Pipeline Template CatalogsSetting Up A Pipeline TemplateUsing parameters in template.yamlManaging multibranch Pipeline options in template.yamlManaging Pipeline Template Catalogs in bulkExample full Maven/Java app Jenkinsfile
IntroductionUsing Declarative Pipeline syntaxUsing Scripted Pipeline syntax
IntroductionBranch SourceBitbucketGitBranch Property StrategyExamples
CloudBees Docker Build and Publish pluginCloudBees Docker TraceabilityDocker Pipeline pluginCloudBees Docker Hub/Registry Notification plugin
Introduction
IntroductionGetting startedNavigating the operations centerProvisioning managed controllers in multiple Kubernetes clustersProvisioning agents in a separate Kubernetes cluster from a managed controllerProvisioning a controller in a different namespace than the operations centerProvisioning a controller in a different OpenShift project than the operations centerManaging controllersManaging controllers in specific Kubernetes namespacesManaging agentsShared agentsShared configurationShared cloud configurationTrigger restrictionsChanging NFS storage locationQuiet startMove/Copy/PromoteCluster operationsInbound agentsUsing KanikoUsing Buildkit (docker buildx)Sidecar injector for self-signed certificates on KubernetesSidecar injector for self-signed certificates on OpenShiftUsing auto-scaling nodes on EKSUsing auto-scaling nodes on GKECloudBees Amazon Web Services Deploy EngineAmazon Web Services CLI PluginCloud Foundry CLI PluginIntegrate OpenShift CLIServiceNow integrationCreating projects based on GitHub repository structureUsing GitHub App authenticationWikiText plugin
IntroductionGetting startedNavigating the Operations CenterManaging client controllersManaging agentsShared agentsShared configurationShared cloud configurationTrigger restrictionsQuiet startMove/Copy/PromoteCluster operationsJava web start agentsServiceNow integrationCreating projects based on GitHub repository structureUsing GitHub App authenticationWikiText plugin
IntroductionTrust modelPod Security AdmissionCentrally managing security for controllersCyberark Credential Provider PluginHashiCorp Vault PluginEnabling advanced use cases: cross controller triggers and bulk operationsRestricting access and delegating administration with Role-Based Access ControlCreating secure folders with Role-Based Access Control Auto ConfigurerRestricting job triggersSetting up operations center access controlsSetting up access controls on connected controllersTesting the SSH connection to an agentConfiguring restricted credentials with the CloudBees Restricted Credentials pluginFoldersFolders PlusInjecting secrets into buildsManaging build agents with Nodes Plus pluginExtended security settingsEnhanced credentials maskingUnderstanding Beekeeper security warningsPreventing unauthorized interaction between buildsSecurity recommendationsUsing single sign-on (SSO)operations center specific permissionsAuthentication mappingExample configurationsDelegating administrationData collection for the CloudBees Analytics PluginExternal secrets managementReplacing an expired certificateList of URLs that need accessBlocking access to URL patterns using the CloudBees Request Filter PluginServing resources from JenkinsVerifying Helm Charts Published with a Signature
IntroductionConfiguring network requirementsCentrally managing security for controllersCyberark Credential Provider PluginHashiCorp Vault PluginEnabling advanced use cases: cross-controller triggers and bulk operationsRestricting access and delegating administration with Role-Based Access ControlCreating secure folders with Role-Based Access Control Auto ConfigurerRestricting job triggersTesting the SSH connection to an agentConfiguring restricted credentials with the CloudBees Restricted Credentials pluginFoldersFolders PlusInjecting secrets into buildsManaging build agents with Nodes Plus pluginUnderstanding Beekeeper security warningsPreventing unauthorized interaction between buildsSecurity recommendationsExtended security settingsUsing single sign-on (SSO)Operations Center specific permissionsAuthentication mappingExample configurationsDelegating administrationData collection for the CloudBees Analytics PluginExternal secrets managementList of URLs that need accessBlocking access to URL patterns using the CloudBees Request Filter PluginServing resources from Jenkins
IntroductionExplaining $JENKINS_HOMEBest practices for backup and restoreBacking up manuallyRestoring manuallyRestoring credentialsUsing the CloudBees Backup PluginScheduling your backups in the CloudBees Backup PluginRestoring from CloudBees Backup PluginBackup and restore on KubernetesBackup and restore on AWSUsing Velero for backup and restore of Kubernetes clustersUsing cluster operations to run backups
IntroductionGetting the CLI toolUsing the CLI toolExamples of usageConfiguring multiple client controllersConfiguring an alias for the Jenkins CLI toolConfiguring the Jenkins CLI tool to work with non-TrustStore SSL certificatesCasC bundle management on operations center
CloudBees Inactive Items Plugin
Jenkins Health Advisor by CloudBees
CloudBees Pull Request Builder for GitHub plugin
Count and monitor user licenses with the CloudBees User Activity Monitoring plugin
Introduction
IntroductionGetting startedCreating a bundleConfiguring the operations center on modern platformsConfiguring the operations center on traditional platformsRetrieving bundles using SCMUpdating a bundleBundle update timing for the operations centerViewing the operations center update logCreating itemsConfiguring RBACDetermining plugin compatibilityTroubleshooting
IntroductionGetting startedCreating a bundleAdding controller bundles to the operations centerUpdating a bundleBundle update timing for controllersViewing the controller update logConfiguring bundle availabilitySetting up a managed controllerSetting up a client controllerCreating itemsConfiguring RBACDetermining plugin compatibilityCasC HTTP API endpointsCasC CLI commandsAdvanced topicsTroubleshooting
Support policies

CloudBees Pipeline Explorer Plugin

5 minute read

The CloudBees Pipeline Explorer plugin offers a streamlined approach to troubleshoot pipelines and view logs. This plugin was developed with a focus on performance to improve your experience for log viewing, whether your log files are 5MB or 500MB.

The Pipeline Explorer can visualize the stages of your Pipelines in a tree view that lets you filter the logs by stages. The log viewport can be customized with user preferences for line numbers, displaying ANSI colors from the log text, word wrapping, and custom time formats for timestamps.

The Pipeline Explorer also provides a search feature, permitted through RBAC, so that users can search large files without leaving the Pipeline Explorer interface.

To view a video introduction of the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer, you can watch the following video.

Troubleshooting Pipelines With CloudBees Pipeline Explorer

Install the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer Plugin

  1. To find the plugin, go to Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Available Plugins and search for the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer.

  2. Install the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer.

  3. After the installation has completed, select CloudBees Pipeline Explorer in the left navigation pane of Pipeline builds to access the new functionality.

The CloudBees Pipeline Explorer only supports Pipeline builds that start after the plugin is installed and enabled. Beginning with CloudBees CI version 2.401.3.3 and higher, the plugin is automatically installed and enabled.

Manage the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer

The CloudBees Pipeline Explorer has a light mode and a dark mode display option. To change the display modes, you can select them in the behavior preferences or the user preferences of your browser/OS.

The following examples show the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer viewport. This displays the log information, the build information, and the preferences panel.

CloudBees Pipeline Explorer viewport
Figure 1. CloudBees Pipeline Explorer viewport

  1. Page header that displays the build name, build status, and the build view icon (View previous, View previous successful, and View next build)

  2. Toolbar that displays the following information:

    • Build status

    • The navigation buttons that can jump to the first or last lines of the log to navigate through the log and search output

    • Build input message

    • Progress bar that shows the estimated time remaining in a build

    • The number of lines

    • The download button that downloads the log

    • The expand icon (see M in Figure 1) that expands the log view to fullscreen mode

  3. The build details line that displays the following information:

    • Duration of the build

    • Build start time

    • If the user has the required permissions, the following buttons may also be displayed:

      • A Rebuild button that rebuilds the completed builds

      • A Replay button that replays the completed builds

      • An Abort button that aborts the in-progress builds

  4. Search bar (if the Run/SearchLog RBAC permission has been granted) with filter option

  5. Expands/collapses the tree view

  6. Issue explorer that helps streamline troubleshooting

  7. Shortcut icon that highlights the Pipeline Explorer keyboard shortcuts

    CloudBees Pipeline Explorer shortcuts
    Figure 2. CloudBees Pipeline Explorer shortcuts

  8. Expands/collapses the user preferences view

  9. Three-dot actions menu that has the expand all, collapse all, and collapse successful options

  10. Search bar for stage names

  11. Star icon that sets the drawer as favorite. The favorite drawer is open by default.

  12. Closes the tree drawer

  13. The expand icon that expands the log view to fullscreen mode

  14. Console output

    CloudBees Pipeline Explorer log view preferences
    Figure 3. CloudBees Pipeline Explorer log view preferences

  15. The customized log view panel (select the settings icon) that lets you personalize the view and behavior options, including the following user view preferences:

    • Display line numbers

    • Display ANSI colors

    • Wrap long lines

    • Display the duration of each stage in the tree view if the Show stage durations preference is enabled

    • Display timestamps and their format. The Pipeline Explorer Timezone uses the preferences in the Jenkins user profile. The timestamp pattern can be saved and the pattern reset to the default.

      The ANSI coloring state is not preserved across line boundaries.
    CloudBees Pipeline Explorer behavior preferences
    Figure 4. CloudBees Pipeline Explorer behavior preferences

  16. The customized log view panel also includes the following behavior preferences:

    • Add a favorite drawer name that opens by default

    • Shows theme options for screen display: dark, light, or match system theme (default)

    • Scroll to the last line on load

    • Scroll to the cause of the failure on load by default

Search the logs

The CloudBees Pipeline Explorer can search the build logs within Jenkins. This feature is disabled by default and must be enabled by giving users the Run/SearchLog RBAC permission.

For large log files (approximately 1 GB and larger), or for slow storage systems, a search may take several minutes to complete. If there are many searches that are run in parallel, they can cause serious controller-wide performance issues.

If you have large log files, you may not want to enable the search feature, or you may only allow a restricted set of users who understand the potential issues to use the search feature, such as Jenkins administrators.

The search feature is case insensitive. When you enter a term in the search bar and press Enter, the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer searches the entire log file for the search term and returns all of the matching lines with the search term highlighted in each result. You can also select the filter icon in the search bar to search only for filtered stage logs. The toolbar displays the total number of search results that were found.

You can also select the following search options:

  • Select the Link link icon to copy a link for a specific line in the log to your clipboard

  • Select the goto goto icon to go to a specific line in the log in a new browser tab

The following example shows the search results for all logs with the Display colors preferences enabled.

Log search example
Figure 5. Log search example

Troubleshoot the pipeline errors

The issue explorer helps streamline troubleshooting. This list view displays all of your pipeline errors, including errors that are not directly associated with any log lines. Each issue displays the stage and error message. If there is an associated log line, a go-to link is provided that can be shared.

The following examples show the issue explorers.

Issue explorer example
Figure 6. Issue explorer example

  1. Indicates the number of issues that have been found

  2. Stage label where the issue is found

  3. Collapse arrow that collapses the issue text

  4. Door icon that displays the issue in the log

  5. Issue message

Issue explorer example with integrated JUnit
Figure 7. Issue explorer example with integrated JUnit

  1. Indicates the number of issues that have been found

  2. Displays the failing tests with links that send the user to the JUnit test results page

  3. Stage label where the issue is found

  4. Issue message

  5. Collapse arrow that collapses the issue text

  6. Door icon that displays the issue in the log

For information about the CloudBees Pipeline Explorer plugin requirements and releases, refer to CloudBees Pipeline Explorer Plugin.