## Master 

The central, coordinating process which stores configuration, loads plugins, and renders the various user interfaces for Jenkins. 

## Node 

A machine which is part of the Jenkins environment and capable of executing Pipelines or Projects. Both the Master and Agents are considered to be Nodes. 

## Project 

A user-configured description of work which Jenkins should perform, such as building a piece of software, etc. 

## Pipeline 

A user-defined model of a continuous delivery pipeline, for more read the Pipeline chapter in this handbook. 

## Plugin 

An extension to Jenkins functionality provided separately from Jenkins Core. 

## Publisher 

Part of a Build after the completion of all configured Steps which publishes reports, sends notifications, etc. 

## Stage 

stage  is part of Pipeline, and used for defining a conceptually distinct subset of the entire Pipeline, for example: "Build", "Test", and "Deploy", which is used by many plugins to visualize or present Jenkins Pipeline status/progress. 

## Step 

A single task; fundamentally steps tell Jenkins what  to do inside of a Pipeline or Project. 

## Trigger 

A criteria for triggering a new Pipeline run or Build. 

## Update Center 

Hosted inventory of plugins and plugin metadata to enable plugin installation from within Jenkins. 

## Upstream 

A configured Pipeline or Project which triggers a separate Pipeline or Project as part of its execution. 

## Workspace 

A disposable directory on the file system of a Node where work can be done by a Pipeline or Project. Workspaces are typically left in place after a Build or Pipeline run completes unless specific Workspace cleanup policies have been put in place on the Jenkins Master. 

