Jenkins: WorkflowScript: 12: unexpected token: } @ line 12, column 5. 1 error

Meaning

The line and column in the message are reliable. Typical issues: unbalanced braces, a missing quote, Declarative sections in the wrong order (agent, stages, post), or a step outside steps. Validate with the Declarative linter before committing.

Common causes

• Unbalanced braces or parentheses
• Unterminated string or bad escape (\ in Windows paths)
• Declarative directives in wrong place/order
• Mixing Scripted and Declarative syntax
• Invalid string interpolation ($ in single vs double quotes)

Detailed fix by platform

Code examples

pipeline {
  agent any
  stages {
    stage('Test') {
      steps {
        script { def v = readFile('VERSION').trim(); echo "v=${v}" }
      }
    }
  }
}

How to diagnose

1. Position — Line and column given?
2. Braces — Balanced?
3. Syntax — Declarative or scripted?

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