Question 1

How do I set up gcloud MCP server with Claude Desktop?

Accepted Answer

Edit the claude_desktop_config.json file to add a configuration snippet with npx command for the gcloud package, as per the README's instructions for Claude Desktop. This involves specifying the command and args, and you may need to restart Claude for changes to take effect.

Question 2

Can gcloud MCP run all gcloud commands?

Accepted Answer

No, certain commands are restricted to prevent arbitrary execution by AI agents. The README links to a list of denied commands in the source code, so check there for specific limitations like interactive sessions or unsafe inputs.

Question 3

gcloud MCP server vs using gcloud CLI directly: which is better for automation?

Accepted Answer

gcloud MCP excels at natural language interaction and chaining workflows through AI, but direct CLI is better for precise, scriptable automation without interpretation overhead. MCP adds convenience but may introduce errors in command translation.

Question 4

What AI clients are supported by gcloud MCP?

Accepted Answer

It supports Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline, and Visual Studio Code, with setup steps detailed in the README. Configuration varies by client, requiring edits to specific JSON files or using the init command for Gemini CLI.

Question 5

How to restrict permissions in gcloud MCP for security?

Accepted Answer

Use gcloud service account impersonation and assign limited roles to the service account. The README explains that permissions are tied to the active gcloud account and recommends impersonation for principle of least privilege.

Question 6

Is gcloud MCP server free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's open-source under the Apache License, but you need a Google Cloud account and may incur costs for cloud resources used through the executed commands. The server itself doesn't charge fees, but cloud usage does.

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