How do I permanently install an apt package in Google Cloud Shell?

Question

I tried to install a package with apt-get cloud shell once but the next day it was gone. I saw another stackoverflow here. But it was out of date (I think). Please help.

See: https://cloud.google.com/shell/docs/configuring-cloud-shell#environment_customization_script — DazWilkin, Mar 04 '21 at 19:25

Donnald Cucharo · Accepted Answer · 2021-03-05T04:12:28.370

2

As you can see from the link @DazWilkin has provided, the only directory where Cloud Shell persists your file is at $HOME directory. Anything installed with apt will not persist when the instance provisioned in Cloud Shell shuts down.

There's a solution for this problem. The script $HOME/.customize_environment runs everytime you boot up Cloud Shell. It is already running as root and there you can run apt to install the packages you want.

Example, as per doc:

#!/bin/sh
apt-get update
apt-get -y install erlang

Update: There seems to be an issue where .customize_environment is not working. It's been confirmed by a Google Engineer and it's currently being fixed.

edited Mar 05 '21 at 04:12

answered Mar 05 '21 at 01:55

Donnald Cucharo

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So that is why `.coustomize_enviroment` isn't working – aflamaroc Mar 05 '21 at 14:15
But is there a way to install an apt package to `$HOME`? – aflamaroc Mar 05 '21 at 14:17
I can only see workarounds. It really depends to you if it's all worth it, but for me it isn't. https://askubuntu.com/questions/193695/installing-packages-into-local-directory – Donnald Cucharo Mar 08 '21 at 03:02
It Is **is** worth it – aflamaroc Mar 18 '21 at 12:33

How do I permanently install an apt package in Google Cloud Shell?

1 Answers1