Post-Build Actions & Email

What are post-build actions?

Post-build actions define what Jenkins should do after the build completes.

This lesson focuses on email.

Step 1 — Configure SMTP globally

Go to Manage Jenkins → System → E-mail Notification:

SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com

Click Advanced:

Use SMTP Authentication: checked
Username: your-email@gmail.com
Password: your-app-password   ← Gmail App Password, NOT your login password
Use SSL: checked
SMTP Port: 465

Also set the system admin email / Jenkins location email if prompted.

Gmail App Password

1. Google Account → Security → 2-Step Verification (must be on)
2. App Passwords → generate one for Jenkins
   Link: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
3. Paste that 16-character password into Jenkins SMTP settings
4. Save

Step 2 — Add email on the Freestyle job

1. Job → Configure → Post-build Actions
2. Add post-build action → E-mail Notification
3. Recipients (space-separated):

your-email@gmail.com teammate@gmail.com

4. Save

Default behavior (built-in email)

Build runs
    │
    ├── SUCCESS → often no email (unless configured)
    │
    └── FAILURE → email to recipients
            Subject: Build failed in Jenkins: my-first-job #14
            Body:    console log + error details

Force a failure once (break the shell script) to verify mail arrives.

Step 3 — Email Extension Plugin (success + failure)

For emails on success and failure, install Email Extension Plugin:

Manage Jenkins → Plugins → Available → search Email Extension → install → restart if required.

Then in the job:

1. Post-build Actions → Editable Email Notification
2. Under Advanced → Triggers, add: Always, Failure, Success
3. Set recipients / content as needed → Save