CircleCI Orbs vs Commands: What's the Difference?

What are CircleCI Orbs and how do they differ from commands?

CircleCI Orbs are reusable packages of CircleCI configuration that can include commands, jobs, and executors. Commands are individual steps that can be executed within a job. Orbs help streamline workflows by allowing you to share and reuse configurations.

Can you give me an example of how to use an Orb?

Sure! To use an Orb, you first need to add it to your CircleCI configuration file. For example, to use the 'circleci/python' Orb, you would include it like this: version: 2.1 orbs: python: circleci/[email protected] and then you can call its commands in your jobs.

Are there any limitations to using Orbs?

Yes, while Orbs are powerful, they can introduce complexity if overused. It's important to ensure that the Orbs you use are well-maintained and that you understand their functionality to avoid issues in your CI/CD pipeline.

How do I create my own Orb?

To create your own Orb, you can use the CircleCI CLI. Start by running circleci orb init <namespace>/<orb-name>, then define your commands, jobs, and executors in the configuration file. Finally, publish it to the CircleCI registry.