gcloud compute --metadata-from-file reads from standard input
Introduced 2026-10-06 · score 0.95
HOW TO USE IT
When metadata comes from standard input, pass `-` as the file path in `--metadata-from-file`. Use `KEY=-` on any of the four listed Compute commands.
printf '%s' '<metadata-value>' | gcloud compute instances add-metadata <INSTANCE_NAME> --zone=<ZONE> --metadata-from-file=<KEY>=-printf '%s' '<metadata-value>' | gcloud compute project-info add-metadata --metadata-from-file=<KEY>=-gcloud compute instances create <INSTANCE_NAME> --metadata-from-file=<KEY>=- < <INPUT_SOURCE>WHY THIS HELPS
Set instance or project metadata from data produced on standard input.
REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
- --metadata-from-file=KEY=LOCAL_FILE_PATH (required): Sets a metadata value from a local file; use `-` as the path to read the value from standard input. For the add-metadata commands, at least one of `--metadata` or `--metadata-from-file` is required.
- KEY (required): Metadata key paired with the input value.
- INSTANCE_NAME (required): Instance to create or update.
- --zone=ZONE: Instance zone; if omitted, gcloud may prompt or attempt to determine it from the active project.
- The `-` file path reads the metadata value from standard input.
- This applies to the four listed commands.
FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE
- https://docs.cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/release-notes#58800_2026-10-06
- https://docs.cloud.google.com/sdk/gcloud/reference/compute/instances/add-metadata
- https://docs.cloud.google.com/sdk/gcloud/reference/compute/project-info/add-metadata
- https://docs.cloud.google.com/sdk/gcloud/reference/compute/instances/create
Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON