GCP free tier and credits - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

Google Cloud Platform offers a free tier and credits to help new users try cloud services without paying. This helps you learn and test cloud tools safely without unexpected costs.

When you want to explore Google Cloud services without spending money.

When you need to test a small app or project on the cloud for free.

When you want to learn cloud computing basics using real cloud resources.

When you want to try Google Cloud's managed databases or storage without cost.

When you want to experiment with cloud machine learning or AI tools without charges.

Commands

This command logs you into your Google Cloud account to access free tier and credits.

Terminal

gcloud auth login

Expected Output

Your browser has been opened to visit:

https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/auth?...

You are now logged in as [[e-mail]].

To verify, run:

  $ gcloud auth list

Creates a new Google Cloud project where you can use free tier services and credits.

Terminal

gcloud projects create example-project-12345 --name="Example Project"

Expected Output

Created project [example-project-12345].

→

--name - Sets a friendly name for your project.

Sets the active project to the one you just created so commands apply there.

Terminal

gcloud config set project example-project-12345

Expected Output

Updated property [core/project].

Lists your billing accounts to link your project and use free credits.

Terminal

gcloud billing accounts list

Expected Output

ACCOUNT_ID            NAME                  OPEN  MASTER_ACCOUNT_ID

012345-6789AB-CDEF01  My Billing Account    True  None

Links your project to a billing account to activate free tier and credits.

Terminal

gcloud beta billing projects link example-project-12345 --billing-account=012345-6789AB-CDEF01

Expected Output

Billing account [012345-6789AB-CDEF01] has been linked to project [example-project-12345].

→

--billing-account - Specifies which billing account to link.

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else, remember: Google Cloud free tier and credits let you safely try cloud services without paying by linking a billing account to a new project.

Common Mistakes

Not linking a billing account to the project after creating it.

Without linking billing, free tier usage may be blocked or limited.

Always link your project to a billing account to activate free tier and credits.

Using an old or expired Google account without free credits eligibility.

Free credits are only given once per new Google Cloud account.

Use a new Google account or check your credits balance before starting.

Assuming all services are free under the free tier.

Only specific services and usage limits are free; exceeding them incurs charges.

Check the free tier limits and monitor usage to avoid unexpected costs.

Summary

Log in to your Google Cloud account using gcloud auth login.

Create a new project and set it as active for your work.

List and link a billing account to your project to enable free tier and credits.

Remember free tier has limits; monitor usage to avoid charges.

Practice

1. What is the main difference between GCP's free tier and free credits?

easy

A. Free tier requires payment after 30 days; free credits never expire.

B. Free credits provide always-free resources; free tier is a one-time spending amount.

C. Both free tier and free credits are unlimited and always available.

D. Free tier provides always-free resources; free credits are one-time spending amounts.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand GCP free tier

   The free tier offers limited resources that are always free, such as small VM instances or storage, available indefinitely.

2. Step 2: Understand GCP free credits

   Free credits are a one-time amount of money given to spend on any GCP service, usually for new users to try services without paying upfront.

3. Final Answer:

   Free tier provides always-free resources; free credits are one-time spending amounts. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Free tier = always free, credits = one-time [OK]

Hint: Free tier is always free; credits are one-time money [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing free credits as always free
• Thinking free tier expires after 30 days
• Believing free credits are unlimited

2. Which of the following is a valid GCP free tier resource?

easy

A. A 1 vCPU, 0.6 GB RAM VM instance running 720 hours per month

B. A 1 vCPU, 3.75 GB RAM VM instance running 24/7

C. A 4 vCPU, 15 GB RAM VM instance running 100 hours per month

D. A 2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM VM instance running 1000 hours per month

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall GCP free tier VM limits

   The free tier includes an f1-micro VM instance with 0.6 GB RAM and 1 vCPU, available up to 720 hours per month (full month).

2. Step 2: Compare options to free tier specs

   A 1 vCPU, 0.6 GB RAM VM instance running 720 hours per month matches the free tier VM specs exactly; others exceed CPU, RAM, or hours limits.

3. Final Answer:

   A 1 vCPU, 0.6 GB RAM VM instance running 720 hours per month -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Free tier VM = f1-micro 0.6GB, 720 hrs [OK]

Hint: Free tier VM is small: 0.6GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 720 hrs/month [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing larger VM sizes thinking they are free
• Ignoring the 720 hours monthly limit
• Confusing vCPU counts

3. A new GCP user has $300 free credits valid for 90 days. They create a VM costing $0.05 per hour. How many hours can they run the VM before credits run out?

medium

A. 1500 hours

B. 3000 hours

C. 6000 hours

D. 9000 hours

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate total hours from credits and cost

   Divide total credits ($300) by hourly cost ($0.05): 300 / 0.05 = 6000 hours.

2. Step 2: Check if hours fit within 90 days

   90 days x 24 hours = 2160 hours max usage in 90 days, so credits allow more hours than time limit.

3. Final Answer:

   6000 hours -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Credits ÷ cost/hr = hours [OK]

Hint: Divide credits by hourly cost for max hours [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring the hourly cost and dividing incorrectly
• Confusing days with hours
• Not considering credit expiration

4. A user tries to apply free credits after the 90-day expiration period. What will happen?

medium

A. The credits will still apply without any issue.

B. The credits will be rejected and cannot be used.

C. The credits will apply but only partially.

D. The credits will convert to free tier resources.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand credit expiration rules

   GCP free credits expire after the set period (usually 90 days) and cannot be used afterward.

2. Step 2: Determine system behavior on expired credits

   Once expired, credits are rejected and cannot be applied to any service usage.

3. Final Answer:

   The credits will be rejected and cannot be used. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Expired credits = rejected [OK]

Hint: Expired credits cannot be used [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming credits auto-extend or convert
• Thinking partial credit use is allowed after expiry
• Confusing free tier with credits

5. A startup wants to use GCP free credits and free tier to run a small app continuously for 3 months. Which strategy best uses both to avoid charges?

hard

A. Run a free tier VM 24/7 and use free credits for extra storage and network usage.

B. Use free credits only for VM and ignore free tier resources.

C. Run multiple large VMs using free credits and free tier simultaneously.

D. Use free tier for all resources and save free credits for after 3 months.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand free tier and credits usage

   Free tier provides always-free small VM and limited resources; free credits can pay for extra usage beyond free tier limits.

2. Step 2: Plan resource allocation

   Run the small app on free tier VM continuously to avoid charges, and use free credits for additional storage, network, or bigger VMs temporarily.

3. Final Answer:

   Run a free tier VM 24/7 and use free credits for extra storage and network usage. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Combine free tier + credits smartly [OK]

Hint: Use free tier first, credits for extras [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring free tier and using credits only
• Running large VMs exceeding free tier limits
• Saving credits without using them effectively