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.