firebase
Manage Firebase projects and deployments
TLDR
Log in to
List existing Firebase projects
Start an interactive wizard to create a Firebase project in the current directory
Deploy code and assets to the current Firebase project
Start a local server to statically host the current Firebase project's assets
Start an interactive wizard to open one of many links of the current Firebase project in the default web browser
SYNOPSIS
firebase <command> [<global-options>] [<args>]
PARAMETERS
--debug, -d
Output verbose debug information to stderr
[boolean]
--project <projectId>, -p
Target specific Firebase project ID (overrides firebase.json or env var)
[string]
--token <token>
Use custom access token instead of default auth
[string]
--only <targets>
Deploy or affect only listed targets (e.g., hosting, functions)
[array]
--except <targets>
Exclude listed targets from operations (e.g., !functions)
[array]
--json
Format output as JSON for scripting
[boolean]
--help, -h
Display help for command or subcommand
[boolean]
--force
Skip confirmations, e.g., for deletions
[boolean]
DESCRIPTION
The firebase command provides the official command-line interface (CLI) for Google's Firebase platform, allowing developers to manage backend services for web, mobile, and server-side applications from the terminal.
It supports key workflows like project setup with firebase init, deploying static content, Cloud Functions, Firestore indexes, and Realtime Database rules via firebase deploy; local development servers with firebase serve; emulation of services using firebase emulators:start; project switching with firebase use; authentication via firebase login; and advanced features like CI/CD integration, extensions management, and Firestore data operations.
Configuration is stored in a firebase.json file, which defines deploy targets and settings. The CLI targets specific projects using the --project flag or environment variables. It's widely used in development pipelines for rapid iteration and production deploys.
Installation requires Node.js (v12+) and npm: run npm install -g firebase-tools. After install, authenticate once with firebase login. The tool integrates seamlessly with Git for version-controlled deployments.
CAVEATS
Requires Node.js v12+ and npm; install via npm install -g firebase-tools. Not in standard package managers. Needs Google auth; some commands require billing-enabled projects.
INSTALLATION
npm install -g firebase-tools
Verify: firebase --version
AUTHENTICATION
firebase login for browser-based OAuth.
firebase logout to sign out.
MAIN SUBCOMMANDS
init: Setup project.
deploy: Push to Firebase.
emulators:start: Local emulation.
use: Switch projects.
HISTORY
Released in 2015 by Google as part of Firebase tools expansion. Evolved from early gcloud-firebase; now v13+, supports modern features like emulators (2019), extensions (2020), and multi-tenancy.
