Connecting Google Cloud Storage to Bicycle
Connect to Google Cloud Storage buckets for file storage.
Requirements
Before you configure the connector in Bicycle, prepare the following in Google Cloud:
- A Google Cloud project with access to the target GCS bucket
- A GCS bucket containing the files you want to read
- Bucket Name, Path, and File Pattern for the files you want to read
If you connect using the Private toggle (default), you also need:
- A service account with access to the target bucket
- A downloaded service account JSON key
Grant the service account at least Storage Object Viewer (roles/storage.objectViewer) on the target bucket for read access. If you also need write access, grant Storage Object Creator (roles/storage.objectCreator).
:::tip Official Google Cloud documentation
Prepare a service account in Google Cloud (Private mode)
Complete these steps only if you plan to use Private mode and paste a service account JSON key in Bicycle.
- Go to the Google Cloud Console.
- Navigate to IAM & Admin > Service Accounts.
- Create a new service account, or select an existing one.
- Grant Storage Object Viewer on the target bucket (and Storage Object Creator if write access is needed).
- Open the service account, go to Keys > Add Key > Create new key > JSON.
- Download the JSON key file and keep it secure.
Setup in Bicycle
Step 1: Open Connectors and select Google Cloud Storage
In the sidebar, go to Connectors. Under Recommended, find Google Cloud Storage and click + Connect.
Step 2: Choose Service Account
Enter a connection name (for example, MyGCSConnection), select Service Account as the connector method, then click Next.
Step 3: Add GCS connection details
On the Add details step, use the Private toggle to choose how Bicycle authenticates to GCS.
Private vs non-private
| Setting | Service Account JSON | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Private (on, default) | Required | Connect to a private bucket using an explicit service account JSON key |
| Non-private (off) | Hidden — not required | Connect using the environment's default Google Cloud credentials (for example, workload identity or application default credentials) |
When Private is off, Bicycle does not send a service account JSON key. The connector service uses default Google Cloud credentials available in the runtime environment to access the bucket.
Connection fields
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bucket Name | Yes | Name of the GCS bucket |
| Path | Yes | Folder or prefix within the bucket to read from |
| File Pattern | Yes | Pattern used to match files (for example, *.csv) |
| Service Account JSON | Yes, when Private is on | Paste the full contents of the downloaded service account JSON key |
Private mode (default) — the Service Account JSON field is shown:
Non-private mode — turn Private off. Only bucket, path, and file pattern are required:
The form also shows the required GCS permissions when using a service account:
- Storage Object Viewer — read access
- Storage Object Creator — write access, if needed
Example values:
- Bucket Name:
Mybucket1 - Path:
path/data - File Pattern:
*.csv - Service Account JSON (Private mode): paste the full JSON key contents
Click Add connection when finished.
Step 4: Confirm the connection
When the connection is created successfully, you will see a confirmation with the connection name, ID, and method (Service Account). Click Close to return to the Connectors page.
Supported file types
CSV, JSON, Parquet, and other delimited formats.
Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| SIGNAL | Read data from GCS files |
What's next?
Now that Google Cloud Storage is connected, you can:
- Discover and ingest files from the configured bucket, path, and file pattern
- Use the connection as a SIGNAL source for metrics, events, and dashboards