In the past, software releases were complex, time-consuming events involving multiple people and machines, but continuous integration (CI) has simplified this process by allowing multiple daily code merges and integrations through automated testing. CI utilizes unit and integration tests to identify issues early, enabling small, frequent releases and easier debugging. Jenkins is a widely used CI tool that, along with competitors like TeamCity, Bamboo, and GitLab, provides a framework consisting of a master server and build agents. Planning for CI can enhance project quality by addressing questions about hardware, system configuration, and automation needs. CI is most effective with automated testing, and maintaining relevant, passing tests is crucial. Transitioning to continuous deployment (CD) represents a cultural shift with its own challenges, but it builds on the foundation set by CI.