gcloud-components
TLDR
View available components for installation
Install one or more components (installs any dependencies as well)
Update all components to the latest version
Update all components to a specific version
Update components without confirmation (useful for automation scripts)
SYNOPSIS
gcloud components <COMMAND> [GCLOUD-WIDE-FLAG …]
COMMAND: install | list | remove | update | version
PARAMETERS
install
Install one or more named components (e.g., kubectl, docker-credential-gcr).
list
Display installed components with versions, sizes, and status; supports --filter and --format.
remove
Uninstall specified components.
update
Upgrade all components to latest versions; optional --version for specific.
version
Show detailed status of all installed components.
DESCRIPTION
The gcloud components command manages the modular tools within the Google Cloud SDK, enabling users to install, update, list, or remove components like gcloud, gsutil, bq, kubectl, and others. These components provide CLI access to Google Cloud services such as Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and Kubernetes Engine.
Installation pulls binaries from Google's repositories, ensuring version compatibility and security updates. The update subcommand keeps all components current, while list shows versions and paths. This modularity allows customizing the SDK footprint, ideal for developers, DevOps, and sysadmins working in cloud environments.
Usage typically follows SDK installation via official scripts, with components residing in ~/.gcloud or specified install paths. It supports filtering lists and specific version installs, streamlining workflows for multi-project setups.
CAVEATS
Requires internet for install/update; install in user directory (not root). Some components platform-specific.
COMMON EXAMPLES
gcloud components install kubectl bq
gcloud components list
gcloud components update
GLOBAL FLAGS
--help: Show help.
--version: Display gcloud version.
--quiet, -q: Disable prompts.
HISTORY
Introduced in 2013 with initial Google Cloud SDK release; evolved for modular management as SDK grew to 100+ components by 2023.
SEE ALSO
gcloud(1)
