How to Write Your First Plugin for CI - Custom Git Plugin

Harness.io's CI pipeline plugins use Docker containers to enhance task execution efficiency and simplify pipeline management, offering an extensible and manageable alternative to traditional scripts. These plugins are configured as a step within the CI pipeline and can perform tasks such as cloning git repositories and building Docker images. Plugins are container-based and can be written in any programming language, providing a flexible framework for users to develop custom solutions. The article guides readers through creating a simple custom plugin, demonstrating the process with a bash script that clones a git repository and prints the last commit information, before packaging it as a Docker image and integrating it into a CI pipeline. The document encourages exploration of plugin development and highlights their potential to address common workflow challenges, suggesting they can be tested locally and further customized to suit specific needs.