[JENKINS-32762] Allow optional matrix axes

I have a Jenkins job which runs unit tests on different PHP versions. To do this, I have a `PHP_VERSION` axes. I would like to ensure that our unit tests are passing on PHP 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 but not on PHP 7. That is, I would like to run our unit test suite on PHP 7, but I do not care if the job fails.

It doesn't seem possible to create an optional variant in a matrix axes.

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Originally reported by joshuaspence, imported from: Allow optional matrix axes

• assignee: kohsuke
  
• status: Open
  
• priority: Minor
  
• component(s): matrix-project-plugin
  
• resolution: Unresolved
  
• votes: 1
  
• watchers: 2
  
• imported: 2025-12-06
  

I have a Jenkins job which runs unit tests on different PHP versions. To do this, I have a `PHP_VERSION` axes. I would like to ensure that our unit tests are passing on PHP 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 but not on PHP 7. That is, I would like to run our unit test suite on PHP 7, but I do not care if the job fails.


It doesn't seem possible to create an optional variant in a matrix axes.

environment

```
Jenkins 1.646

Matrix Project Plugin 1.6
```

The issue names the matrix-project-plugin but no source files, tests, or entry points. Start by locating the plugin's matrix-axis configuration and build-result handling, then determine how an optional axis variant should affect job status; done means PHP 7 can run without making the matrix job fail while required versions remain enforced.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.