Post Date: March 2, 2024
Last Updated: November 02, 2026
Introduction
Jenkins user creation is an important part of managing access and security in a CI/CD environment. Jenkins allows administrators to create user accounts and assign permissions based on individual responsibilities using authorization strategies such as Matrix-based Authorization.
Proper Jenkins user creation and permission management help administrators control who can access Jenkins, execute jobs, configure projects, and manage system settings. For more information, refer to the official Jenkins user authorization documentation.
In this guide, we will explain how to create Jenkins users, configure Matrix-based Authorization, and assign appropriate permissions to control user access.
Prerequisites
- Jenkins installed and accessible.
- Administrative access to Jenkins.
- Administrator credentials.
- Permission to manage users and security settings.
Implementation
In this implementation, we will perform Jenkins user creation and configure permissions using the Matrix-based Authorization Strategy. We will first create a user account and then assign the required permissions based on the user’s responsibilities. Follow the steps below to configure user access in Jenkins.
Jenkins User Creation and Permission Configuration
Step 1: Navigate to “Manage Jenkins.”
- Log in to Jenkins with administrative credentials.
- From the Jenkins dashboard, click Manage Jenkins.
Step 2: Access User Management
- Under Manage Jenkins, click Users.
Step 3: Create a New User
- Click the + Create User button to initiate the user creation process.
Step 4: Provide User Details
Enter the required details for the new user:
- Username: Enter a unique username.
- Password: Set a secure password.
- Full Name: Enter the user’s full name.
- Email Address: Provide a valid email address.
After entering the details, click Save to create the user.
Permission Management Using Matrix-based Authorization Strategy
The matrix-based authorization strategy allows administrators to assign specific Jenkins permissions to individual users.
Jenkins provides different authorization strategies to manage user access. Matrix-based Authorization offers granular permission control, allowing administrators to assign permissions to individual users or groups. Refer to the official Jenkins authorization documentation for details about available permissions and access controls.
Step 5: Navigate to Security Settings
- Click Manage Jenkins.
- Select Security.
- In the Authorization section, select Project-Based Matrix Authorization Strategy.
Step 6: Configure Permissions
Under the Project-Based Matrix Authorization Strategy section, you will see a permissions table.
- Find the row corresponding to the user you created.
- Select the permissions required for that user.
- Assign permissions based on the user’s role and responsibilities.
Step 7: Configure the Permission Matrix
The permission matrix contains permissions related to areas such as the following:
- Overall
- Credentials
- Agent
- Job
- Run
- View
- SCM
- Lockable Resources
Select the required permissions according to the user’s responsibilities.
After configuring the permissions, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save to apply the changes.
Permission Options
The following are some of the permission options available in the matrix:
- Administrator: Grants full administrative control over Jenkins.
- Read: Allows the user to view information.
- Create, Delete: Provides the ability to create or delete entities.
- ManageDomains: Manages domain-related settings.
- Update, View: Allows updating or viewing settings or entities.
- Build, Configure, Connect, Disconnect: Controls actions related to builds, configuration, and connections.
- Discover, Move, Workspace, Replay: Manages discovery, movement, workspace, and replay options.
- Tag, Reserve, Steal, Unlock: Controls actions related to version control systems and resources.
Conclusion
Jenkins user creation and permission management help administrators maintain secure access to their CI/CD environment. By creating individual user accounts and configuring Matrix-based Authorization, administrators can assign permissions according to each user’s responsibilities.
Following the recommended Jenkins user creation process and applying the principle of least privilege helps prevent unauthorized access and improves overall Jenkins security.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I create a user in Jenkins?
Log in with administrator credentials, navigate to Manage Jenkins → Users, and click Create User. Enter the required user details and save the configuration.
2. What is Matrix-based Authorization in Jenkins?
Matrix-based authorization allows administrators to assign individual permissions to Jenkins users based on their required access.
3. Can I give different permissions to different Jenkins users?
Yes. Each user can be assigned specific permissions according to their role and responsibilities.
4. What is a project-based matrix authorization strategy?
Project-Based Matrix Authorization allows permissions to be controlled at the project level, giving administrators more granular control over user access.
5. What permissions should be given to a Jenkins user?
Permissions should be assigned based on the user’s responsibilities. Avoid granting administrative permissions unless the user requires full Jenkins administration access.
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