Google Cloud Shell
Online bash shell based on Debian
Google Cloud Shell is an online integrated development environment (IDE) provided by Google Cloud Platform (GCP). It is a Ubuntu-based virtual machine (with a persistent 5 GB home directory), allowing users to manage their GCP resources and projects directly from their web browser. Google Cloud Shell is available to all Google Cloud users, including those on the free tier, at no additional cost. It can be accessed directly from the Google Cloud Console or through the Google Cloud SDK.
01Features
- Persistent Storage
- Web-based Code Editor
- Cloud Shell features a web-based code editor based on Eclipse Theia, allowing users to develop, build, debug, and test their applications directly from the browser.
- Secure Remote Access
- Cloud Shell supports OpenSSH for secure remote access, enabling users to connect to their Cloud Shell instance from various devices and locations.Automatic
- Project and Authentication
- When a user launches Cloud Shell, it automatically sets the active GCP project and authenticates the user, streamlining the process of managing cloud resources.
02Limitations
While Cloud Shell provides a powerful and convenient development environment, it has some limitations:
- The root file system is volatile, meaning that any changes made outside the user's home directory will be lost when the session ends.
- Users cannot expand the persistent storage beyond the default 5 GB allocation.
- Cloud Shell instances are automatically terminated after an hour of inactivity, and users must manually restart the session if needed.
- Limited to 50 hours of free use per week.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Google Cloud Shell”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Cloud Shell Editor running a Starry Night.webp by Wikideas1, CC0
- Cloud Shell Editor GNU Emacs.webp by Wikideas1, CC0
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