gcloud-components-install
Install or update Google Cloud SDK components
TLDR
View available components for installation
Install one or more components (installs any dependencies as well)
Check the current version of Google Cloud CLI
Update Google Cloud CLI to the latest version
SYNOPSIS
gcloud components install <COMPONENT>... [--version=<VERSION>] [global flags...]
PARAMETERS
COMPONENT
Name(s) of component(s) to install (e.g., kubectl, gsutil). Repeatable. List via gcloud components list.
--version, -v VERSION
Specific version to install (e.g., 1.23.0). Defaults to latest compatible version.
DESCRIPTION
The gcloud components install command installs one or more specified components of the Google Cloud SDK on Linux systems. The SDK is a suite of tools for managing Google Cloud Platform resources via CLI. Components are modular extensions like kubectl for Kubernetes, gsutil for Cloud Storage, or emulators.
It downloads binaries from Google's servers to the SDK installation directory (typically ~/google-cloud-sdk). Run after initial SDK setup. Lists available components via gcloud components list. Supports multiple components in one invocation for efficiency.
Installation verifies checksums and updates PATH if needed. Ideal for customizing SDK installs without full reinstalls. Requires internet access and write permissions to SDK dir. Common uses: adding app-engine tools or cloud_sql_proxy. Ensures version compatibility with core SDK.
CAVEATS
Requires Google Cloud SDK pre-installed; internet connection; non-root user recommended. May prompt for sudo on system-wide installs. Fails if component unavailable or version mismatch.
EXAMPLES
gcloud components install kubectl
Installs Kubernetes CLI.
gcloud components install app docker-credential-gcr --version=latest
Installs App Engine and GCR helper.
AVAILABLE COMPONENTS
Common: alpha, beta, app, bq-nanny, cloud-datastore-emulator, core, docker-credential-gcr, gsutil, kubectl. Full list: gcloud components list.
HISTORY
Introduced with Google Cloud SDK v60+ (2013 era). Evolved for modular installs as SDK grew; now supports 20+ components with auto-updates.
SEE ALSO
gcloud components list(1), gcloud components update(1), gcloud components remove(1)
