Skip to main content
In this guide, you’ll learn how to convert a Declarative Pipeline into a fully Scripted Pipeline for the solar-system repository on the features/advanced-demo branch. We’ll cover tool setup, environment configuration, caching, timestamps, and concurrency control.

​
1. Review the Existing Declarative Pipeline

The current pipeline installs Node.js, sets environment variables, and caches npm dependencies: 
pipeline {
    agent {
        tools {
            nodejs 'nodejs-22-6-0'
        }
    }
    environment {
        SONAR_SCANNER_HOME = tool 'sonarqube-scanner-610'
        GITEA_TOKEN        = credentials('gitea-api-token')
    }
    options {
        disableResume()
        disableConcurrentBuilds(abortPrevious: true)
    }
    stages {
        stage('Installing Dependencies') {
            agent any
            options { timestamps() }
            steps {
                cache(maxCacheSize: 550, caches: [
                    arbitraryFileCache(
                        cacheName: 'npm-dependency-cache',
                        cacheValidityDecidingFile: 'package-lock.json'
                    )
                ]) {
                    sh 'node -v'
                    sh 'npm install --no-audit'
                    stash(includes: 'node_modules')
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

​
2. Create and Push the Scripted Branch

git checkout -b pipeline/scripted
git push -u origin pipeline/scripted
Pushing this branch triggers a new build in Jenkins.
The image shows a Jenkins dashboard for a project named "solar-system," displaying the status of various branches with details on their last success, last failure, and duration.

​
3. Define the Scripted Pipeline

Wrap all steps inside a node block and configure tools, environment, and build properties: 
node {
    // 1. Tool setup: install Node.js and update PATH
    env.NODEJS_HOME = tool 'nodejs-22-6-0'
    env.PATH        = "${env.NODEJS_HOME}/bin:${env.PATH}"

    // 2. Prevent concurrent builds and resume
    properties([
        disableConcurrentBuilds(abortPrevious: true),
        disableResume()
    ])

    stage('Checkout') {
        checkout scm
    }

    // 3. Timestamp wrapper for better logs
    wrap([$class: 'TimestamperBuildWrapper']) {
        stage('Installing Dependencies') {
            // 4. Cache npm modules across builds
            cache(maxCacheSize: 550, caches: [
                arbitraryFileCache(
                    cacheName: 'npm-dependency-cache',
                    cacheValidityDecidingFile: 'package-lock.json'
                )
            ]) {
                sh 'node -v'
                sh 'npm install --no-audit'
                stash(includes: 'node_modules')
            }
        }
    }
}
Caching node_modules speeds up CI by restoring dependencies from the cache on subsequent runs, reducing network overhead.

​
4. Check Pipeline Syntax Reference

If you need to explore other Scripted Pipeline constructs, consult the official syntax guide.
The image shows a webpage from the Jenkins documentation, specifically detailing pipeline syntax options. It includes a sidebar with navigation links and a main section describing various options like disableConcurrentBuilds and disableResume.
// Example: wrap([$class: 'TimestamperBuildWrapper']) { ... }
// Visit: https://www.jenkins.io/doc/book/pipeline/syntax/

​
5. Validate First and Subsequent Runs

On the first run, the cache is empty: 
> node -v
v22.6.0
> npm install --no-audit
added 365 packages in 3s
On subsequent runs, the cache is restored for faster installs: 
[Cache ...] Restoring cache...
> node -v
v22.6.0
> npm install --no-audit
up to date in 1s

​
6. Ensure Concurrency Control

Start two builds in quick succession; the earlier build will be aborted to honor abortPrevious: true.
The image shows a Jenkins pipeline interface with build history and stages for a project named "solar-system." It displays the status of three builds, including their start, checkout, and end stages.
Aborting previous builds can interrupt cleanup tasks. Ensure your pipeline handles partial states and rollbacks correctly.

​
Table: Key Pipeline Options

OptionPurpose
disableConcurrentBuilds(abortPrevious: true)Prevents parallel runs by aborting earlier builds on the same branch
disableResume()Disables resume from checkpoints to simplify workflow
wrap([$class: 'TimestamperBuildWrapper'])Adds timestamps to console output
cache(...)Reuses files between builds to speed up dependency installation

Watch Video