Google Cloud’s Best Hidden Feature

One of my favourite features of Google Cloud is a well-hidden feature in the console that allows you to convert your action to the equivalent REST call or command line command.

When performing nearly any action on the Google Cloud Platform console, like creating a virtual machine, near the bottom (before you click the Create button) you’ll see small text with the phrase:

Equivalent REST or command line

A standard view in the GCP console for creating a virtual machine.

Clicking on either “REST” or “command line” brings up a small modal with all the details you configured in the console represented as command line flags, or a JSON payload for the API.

Command line representation of the actions you performed in the console. In this case, setting up a standard virtual machine.

It’s a great little feature that allows you to define a machine in a human friendly manor, and then easily automate the process with an API or command line call for something like a build pipeline.

REST request equivalent of the actions you performed in the console. In this case, setting up a standard virtual machine.

What other small features do you know about that makes GCP user friendly?