Jenkins path to git Windows master / Linux slave

Question

I have a Jenkins master on Windows which runs some Windows builds.

The git client plugin in configured with a fixed path to git as "C:\Program Files (x86)\git\bin\git.exe"

I've now created a Linux slave, but when I run a job on there, it's trying to run the command "C:\Program Files (x86)\git\bin\git.exe init", and obviously fails.

Is there a simple solution to this? I think I've resolved it already by modifying PATH on the Windows master, and the fixed path to git is now just "git" so would work on both OSs.

Is the "correct" way to resolve this for Jenkins, or is there another/better way to do this?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Ensuring "git" in the path of all slaves and master is one good way.

However Jenkins can have multiple installation of git (true for other tools such as jdk, groovy...)

You can configure this from http://server-url/configure

Click on "Add Git" and provide new git with different name and path

You can then "select which git to use" in the "jobs" configuration.

This approach has a positive side effect. It will allow you to use different git client versions (say for testing)

Answer 2

My problem was slightly different, but my solution also applies for this question here. Jenkins Poll SCM (Git) on Windows master / Build on Linux slave

When using the "Git installations" option, you will need to create different jobs, one with each Git Installation. Modifying the PATH either on windows or linux, sometimes might not be an option (in my case, I only have access to Jenkins web UI).

Instead, just make the Default Git installation to point to whatever the Master git installation is (e.g. c:\apps\git\bin\git.exe), and then configure the custom "Tool Locations" for each node. This way you can run the same jenkins job in different master/slave OS. Steps:

1. Manage Jenkins > Manage Nodes
2. For each node having git location other than the one provided in the "Git installation", do: 2.1 Open node configuration page (Configure icon) 2.2 Check "Tool Locations" if not already checked 2.3 Click "Add" 2.4 Select "(Git) Default" on the dropdown 2.5 Enter the path to the slave node git installation (e.g. /usr/local/bin/git) 2.6 Save
3. Repeat steps 2.1 to 2.5 for each Linux slave the job may run.

Node configuration on linux should look something like this:

I believe the additional "git installations" are more suitable, as @Jayan mentioned, when you need to have multiple git installations or you need to run, for some reason, a specific version of git for select Jenkins jobs.