Resolving Bash Gcloud Command Not Found Error on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Encountering the “bash: gcloud command not found” error on macOS is a common issue for users trying to use Google Cloud’s command-line interface. This error typically arises when the gcloud CLI isn’t properly installed or configured, making it a frequent hurdle for macOS users working with Google Cloud services.

Understanding the Error

The error “bash: gcloud command not found” on macOS indicates that the gcloud command-line tool, part of the Google Cloud SDK, is either not installed or not properly configured in your system’s PATH.

Implications:

1. Installation Issue: The Google Cloud SDK might not be installed. Without it, you can’t use the gcloud command to interact with Google Cloud services.
2. PATH Configuration: Even if installed, the gcloud executable might not be in your system’s PATH. This means your terminal can’t locate the command.
3. Environment Variables: Incorrectly set environment variables can also prevent the terminal from recognizing the gcloud command.

Solutions:

• Install Google Cloud SDK: Follow the official installation guide to ensure proper setup.
• Update PATH: Add the Google Cloud SDK’s bin directory to your PATH. This can be done by adding export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/google-cloud-sdk/bin to your shell profile (e.g., .bash_profile, .zshrc).
• Verify Installation: Run gcloud init to initialize the SDK and ensure it’s correctly configured.

Checking Installation

1. Check Installation Directory:

   • Open Terminal.
   • Navigate to the installation directory: cd ~/google-cloud-sdk.

2. Verify Files:

   • List files: ls.
   • Ensure install.sh and bin/gcloud are present.

3. Check PATH:

   • Run: echo $PATH.
   • Ensure the path to google-cloud-sdk/bin is included.

4. Test gcloud Command:

   • Run: gcloud --version.
   • If installed correctly, it will display the version information.

5. Initialize gcloud:

   • Run: gcloud init.
   • Follow prompts to set up your configuration.

If any step fails, reinstall the SDK.

Updating PATH Variable

Here are the steps to update your PATH variable on macOS to resolve the ‘bash: gcloud: command not found’ error:

1. Open Terminal: You can find it in Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

2. Locate your shell configuration file:

   • For bash: ~/.bash_profile or ~/.bashrc
   • For zsh: ~/.zshrc

3. Open the file in a text editor:

   nano ~/.bash_profile
   

   or

   nano ~/.zshrc
   

4. Add the Google Cloud SDK path:

   export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/google-cloud-sdk/bin
   

5. Save and close the file:

   • In nano, press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter.

6. Apply the changes:

   source ~/.bash_profile
   

   or

   source ~/.zshrc
   

7. Verify the installation:

   gcloud version
   

This should resolve the ‘gcloud command not found’ error on your macOS.

Verifying Environment Variables

1. Install Google Cloud SDK:

   • Download and install the Google Cloud SDK by running:

     curl https://sdk.cloud.google.com | bash
     

   • Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

2. Update PATH:

   • Add the SDK to your PATH. Open your .bash_profile or .zshrc file and add:

     source $HOME/google-cloud-sdk/path.bash.inc
     source $HOME/google-cloud-sdk/completion.bash.inc
     

   • Save the file and reload your shell:

     source ~/.bash_profile  # or source ~/.zshrc
     

3. Verify Installation:

   • Check if gcloud is recognized:

     gcloud version
     

This should ensure your system recognizes the gcloud command.

Reinstalling Google Cloud SDK

Sure, here are the steps to reinstall the Google Cloud SDK on a Mac:

1. Download the installation script:

   curl -O https://dl.google.com/dl/cloudsdk/channels/rapid/downloads/google-cloud-cli-<version>-darwin-x86_64.tar.gz
   

2. Extract the downloaded archive:

   tar -xf google-cloud-cli-<version>-darwin-x86_64.tar.gz
   

3. Run the installation script:

   ./google-cloud-sdk/install.sh
   

4. Initialize the SDK:

   gcloud init
   

Replace <version> with the latest version number available. This should resolve the ‘bash: gcloud: command not found’ error on your Mac.

: Google Cloud SDK Installation
: Google Cloud CLI Documentation

To Resolve ‘bash: gcloud: command not found’ Error on Mac

Follow these steps:

1. Install Google Cloud SDK by running <curl https://sdk.cloud.google.com | bash> in your terminal.
2. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
3. Update PATH by adding <source $HOME/google-cloud-sdk/path.bash.inc> and <source $HOME/google-cloud-sdk/completion.bash.inc> to your .bash_profile or .zshrc file.
4. Save the file and reload your shell using <source ~/.bash_profile> or <source ~/.zshrc>.
5. Verify installation by running <gcloud version>.

Alternatively, you can reinstall the Google Cloud SDK by downloading the installation script, extracting the archive, running the installation script, and initializing the SDK.

It is essential to properly install and configure the Google Cloud SDK to avoid this error. You can refer to the official documentation for more information on installing and configuring the Google Cloud CLI.