MCP Directory

How to add Google Cloud Storage MCP to Claude Desktop

Google's gcloud-mcp Storage server for managing GCS buckets and objects via natural language. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 15, 2026 · 900★ · stdio · oauth · official

Claude Desktop config for Google Cloud Storage MCP

npx -y @google-cloud/storage-mcp
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-cloud-storage-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@google-cloud/storage-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

  1. 1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
  2. 2Paste the Google Cloud Storage MCP config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
  3. 3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
  4. 4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
  5. 5Open a chat and confirm Google Cloud Storage MCP's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

  • Node.js 20 or higher
  • The gcloud CLI installed and authenticated — run `gcloud auth application-default login` (or authorize gcloud as a service account) so Application Default Credentials are available
  • A Google Cloud project with the Cloud Storage API enabled; set GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT (or GCP_PROJECT_ID)
  • IAM permissions on the target buckets/objects — the MCP inherits exactly the permissions of the authenticated identity

What Google Cloud Storage MCP can do in Claude Desktop

list_buckets

List the GCS buckets in the project.

create_bucket

Create a new bucket.

get_bucket_metadata

Read a bucket's metadata and configuration.

get_bucket_location

Get a bucket's location/region.

view_iam_policy

View the IAM policy on a bucket.

check_iam_permissions

Check which IAM permissions the caller has on a resource.

list_objects

List objects in a bucket.

read_object_metadata

Read an object's metadata.

Security

Permissions are tied directly to your active gcloud account's IAM roles via Application Default Credentials, so authenticate with a least-privilege account. Write/delete tools can mutate or remove objects in your buckets.

Google Cloud Storage MCP + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the Google Cloud Storage MCP config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is Google Cloud Storage MCP safe to use with Claude Desktop?

Permissions are tied directly to your active gcloud account's IAM roles via Application Default Credentials, so authenticate with a least-privilege account. Write/delete tools can mutate or remove objects in your buckets.

How does authentication work?

It uses gcloud Application Default Credentials. Run `gcloud auth application-default login` (or authorize gcloud as a service account); the MCP acts with exactly that identity's IAM permissions.

Why can't the agent delete or overwrite objects?

Destructive tools (delete, overwrite, move, metadata/label updates, download) are disabled by default. Pass `--enable-destructive-tools` during init or in the server args to enable them.

Is this an official Google product?

It is published by Google (googleapis) as part of gcloud-mcp, but the repository is in preview, may have breaking changes, and is described as a solution rather than an officially supported product.

View repo Full Google Cloud Storage MCP page