| Google Cloud Shell | |
|---|---|
 Cloud Shell Editor running a starry night animation inRuby,vibe coded withGoogle Gemini on the left. | |
| Initial release | 2016 |
| Written in | C,Java,JavaScript,C++,Python,Go,Ruby |
| Operating system | Ubuntu Linux |
| Website | https://cloud.google.com/shell |
Google Cloud Shell is anOnline integrated development environment provided byGoogle Cloud Platform (GCP). It is a Ubuntu-basedvirtual machine with a persistent 5 GB home directory, allowing users to manage their GCP resources and projects directly from their web browser.[1][2][3]
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.
Cloud Shell provides 5 GB of persistent storage in the user's home directory, enabling them to store files, scripts, and configurations that persist across sessions.[1][2]
The Cloud Shell environment comes pre-installed with a variety of development tools and utilities, including the Google Cloud SDK (gcloud),Git,Docker, and various programming language runtimes and tools.[4]
Cloud Shell features a web-based code editor based onEclipse Theia, allowing users to develop, build, debug, and test their applications directly from the browser.[1][4]
Cloud Shell supports OpenSSH for secureremote access, enabling users to connect to their Cloud Shell instance from various devices and locations.Automatic[1][4]
When a user launches Cloud Shell, it automatically sets the active GCP project and authenticates the user, streamlining the process of managing cloud resources.[1][2]
While Cloud Shell provides a powerful and convenient development environment, it has some limitations: