gcloud-config-switching

name: gcloud-config-switching description: Configure multi-project GCP workflows with named gcloud configurations and direnv-based repo auto-switching. Use when developers frequently switch accounts/projects across repos. allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Bash

Gcloud Config Switching

When to Use

• The user keeps re-authenticating or manually flipping gcloud account/project.
• Different repos target different Firebase/GCP projects.
• The user wants local, repo-aware switching without storing passwords.

Core Rules

• Never store human passwords in .env or repo files.
• Do not automate login with email/password.
• Use named gcloud configurations and short-lived auth sessions.
• Keep .envrc local-only (ignore via .git/info/exclude or equivalent).

Standard Workflow

1. Discover per-repo project IDs from:
   • .firebaserc
   • .env.example / .env.local
   • deploy scripts and CI workflows
2. Create or update one named config per project/account:
   • gcloud config configurations create <name>
   • gcloud config set core/account <email>
   • gcloud config set core/project <project-id>
3. For each repo, add .envrc:
   • export CLOUDSDK_ACTIVE_CONFIG_NAME=<config-name>
4. Approve with direnv allow once per repo.
5. Verify:
   • direnv exec <repo> gcloud config get-value core/project
   • direnv exec <repo> gcloud config get-value core/account

Recommended Commands

# List auth/accounts/configs
gcloud auth list
gcloud config configurations list

# Create/update a config
gcloud config configurations create cfg-gem-landing --no-activate
gcloud config configurations activate cfg-gem-landing
gcloud config set core/account dylan@gemifi.co
gcloud config set core/project gem-landing

# Per-repo .envrc
cat > .envrc <<'EOT'
export CLOUDSDK_ACTIVE_CONFIG_NAME=cfg-gem-landing
EOT
direnv allow

# Verify in that repo
direnv exec . gcloud config get-value core/project

Troubleshooting

• direnv: command not found: install direnv and add eval "$(direnv hook zsh)" to shell rc.
• Project permission warning: config is valid, but chosen account lacks access; update account or IAM.
• Repo looks dirty from .envrc: add .envrc to .git/info/exclude for local-only use.

Automation Note

For CI and bots, prefer service account impersonation or WIF over user credentials.