Post section (success, failure, always) in Jenkins - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Post section (success, failure, always)

Start Pipeline

↓

Run Build Steps

↓

Check Build Result

↓

Post Success

↓

End Pipeline

The pipeline runs build steps, then checks the result. Depending on success, failure, or always, it runs the matching post actions.

Execution Sample

Jenkins

pipeline {
  agent any
  stages {
    stage('Build') {
      steps { sh 'exit 0' }
    }
  }
  post {
    success { echo 'Build succeeded' }
    failure { echo 'Build failed' }
    always { echo 'Cleanup' }
  }
}

This Jenkins pipeline runs a build stage that succeeds, then runs post steps for success and always.

Process Table

Step	Build Result	Post Condition Checked	Post Action Executed	Output
1	Running	N/A	N/A	Build stage starts
2	Success	success	echo 'Build succeeded'	Build succeeded
3	Success	failure	No action
4	Success	always	echo 'Cleanup'	Cleanup
5	End	N/A	N/A	Pipeline ends

💡 Build succeeded, so success and always post sections run; failure section skipped.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
buildResult	null	running	success	success	success	success

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does the failure post section not run when the build succeeds?

Because the post section 'failure' only runs if the build result is failure. As shown in execution_table row 3, the buildResult is 'success', so failure actions are skipped.

Does the always post section run regardless of build result?

Yes, the 'always' post section runs no matter what. In execution_table row 4, even after success, the always action runs.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the buildResult at Step 2?

A running

B success

C failure

D null

💡 Hint

Check the 'Build Result' column at Step 2 in the execution_table.

At which step does the failure post section get checked?

A Step 2

B Step 4

C Step 3

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Post Condition Checked' column in the execution_table.

If the build failed, which post sections would run?

A failure and always

B success and always

C only failure

D only always

💡 Hint

Remember 'always' runs no matter what, and 'failure' runs only on failure.

Concept Snapshot

Jenkins post section runs after stages finish.
Use 'success' for actions on success.
Use 'failure' for actions on failure.
Use 'always' for actions that run every time.
Only matching post blocks run based on build result.

Full Transcript

This Jenkins pipeline example shows how the post section works. After the build stage runs and succeeds, Jenkins checks the build result. It runs the 'success' post block because the build succeeded. It skips the 'failure' block because the build did not fail. It always runs the 'always' block regardless of result. The execution table traces these steps clearly. Variables track the build result changing from null to running to success. Key moments clarify why failure block does not run on success and that always block runs every time. The quiz tests understanding of these steps. The snapshot summarizes the post section usage simply.