How to use the command 'gcloud init' (with examples)
gcloud init is a command used in the Google Cloud SDK to set up and manage configurations for interacting with Google Cloud services. This command launches an interactive workflow that helps users authenticate with their Google Cloud account, select a default project, and configure other settings necessary for using the gcloud command-line tool.
Launch a “Getting Started” workflow
Code:
gcloud init
Motivation:
When you are starting with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and need to configure the gcloud command-line tool, the gcloud init command provides an easy and interactive way to set up your environment. This is particularly useful for first-time users who are not yet familiar with the configuration process and need guidance on the necessary steps, such as authentication and project selection. The interactive nature of this command makes it user-friendly, ensuring that you have all the essential settings in place to begin using GCP services effectively.
Explanation:
The command gcloud init runs a guided interactive process that facilitates the initial configuration of the cloud environment. It prompts the user to log into their Google account and assists in choosing the appropriate configuration settings. This includes setting a default project, specifying the region for your activities, and calibrating other configurations such as enabling APIs or services required for your project.
Example Output:
Welcome! This command will take you through the configuration of gcloud.
Your current configuration has been set to: [default]
You can skip diagnostics next time by using:
$ gcloud init --skip-diagnostics
...
Please ensure you have the appropriate permissions to project [PROJECT_ID].
You can view the current account's permissions at:
https://console.cloud.google.com/iam-admin/iam/...
...
Created a default transport with the following settings:
[<PROJECT_ID>]
Launch a workflow without diagnostics
Code:
gcloud init --skip-diagnostics
Motivation:
In certain situations, you may wish to skip the diagnostic checks that are part of the default gcloud init workflow. This could be the case when you are confident that your machine and network configuration are appropriate and you want to expedite the initialization process, bypassing the checks that might otherwise slow down the configuration. Skipping these diagnostics can make the setup phase faster, which is particularly beneficial if you consistently run setups across different environments and know that hardware and network issues are unlikely.
Explanation:
The --skip-diagnostics flag is used to bypass the diagnostic tests that check your system’s compatibility and network connectivity during the initialization process. These diagnostics are typically included to help identify issues that could affect the performance or availability of the Google Cloud SDK on your machine. By skipping them, you streamline the process if you determine the diagnostics are unnecessary in your case.
Example Output:
Your current configuration has been set to: [default]
You have elected to skip diagnostics.
...
Pick a cloud project to use:
[1] project-1
[2] project-2
...
...
Use the console for authentication
Code:
gcloud init --console-only
Motivation:
Not every environment is equipped with a browser interface, especially on headless systems like remote servers or within Docker containers. This mode is handy in such cases by enabling authentication directly through the command line using the console and bypassing the usual web-based login. It allows you to paste an authorization code obtained from Google’s authentication page, making it possible to authenticate even in environments that don’t have a graphical user interface.
Explanation:
The --console-only flag forces the entire authentication and setup workflow to occur within the command-line interface, making it suitable for environments where a web browser is inaccessible. Upon executing, the command provides a URL that you visit on a separate device with a browser, where you’ll log into your Google account. Then, you’ll retrieve an authentication code that you paste back into the terminal.
Example Output:
You are running in console-only mode.
Your current configuration has been set to: [default]
Visit the following URL in a web browser to log in to Google and obtain the authentication code:
https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/auth?response_type=code&...
Enter the authentication code:
[AUTH_CODE]
...
Configured project: [PROJECT_ID]
Conclusion:
gcloud init is a versatile and essential command for setting up the gcloud environment to work efficiently with Google Cloud Platform. Whether you’re initializing for the first time, looking to streamline the process by skipping diagnostic checks, or working in a text-only environment, each of these use cases provides the flexibility needed to tailor the setup process to various operational scenarios.
