> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datasaur.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.datasaur.ai/integrations/external-object-storage/google-cloud-storage.md).

# Google Cloud Storage

## File key

A file key is used during project creation to tell Datasaur which file should be used. You can get the file key from the path after the bucket name in the gsutil URI, as shown in the example below.

* Bucket name: `datasaur-test`
* gsutil URI: `gs://datasaur-test/some-folder/image.png`
* File key: `/some-folder/image.png`

## Setup

By integrating your bucket with Datasaur, you can create projects using files directly from your GCS bucket.

#### 1. Create Google Cloud Storage bucket

1. Log in to your GCP account, then go to **Cloud Storage**.
2. Create a new bucket, or select an existing one you want to integrate with Datasaur.

Keep this tab open, we will return to it later.

#### 2. Set up integration in the Settings page

1. Open a new tab, then go to Datasaur and navigate to **Settings** **> External object storage**.
2. Click **Add external object Storages**.
3. Select the **GCS** option.
4. Enter the bucket name from Step 1.
5. If this is your first time connecting this bucket:
   * You can use the randomly generated value in the form or set your own.
   * Store this value securely for future use.
6. If the bucket was previously connected to another Datasaur workspace:
   * Enter the **security token** from the existing integration.
   * You can find it under **View details** in the **Settings > External object storage** page.
   * If you no longer have access to the previous workspace, use your saved token.
7. Copy the **Service Account Email** from the form.

#### 3. Set up Google Cloud Storage bucket permissions

This step allows Datasaur to access your bucket using the service account.

1. Return to your **GCP Cloud Storage** tab.
2. Open the **Permissions** tab, and click **Grant Access**.
3. In the **New principals** field, paste the **Service Account Email** copied earlier.
4. In the **Role** field, select **Storage Object Admin** (under Cloud Storage).
5. Click **Save** to finish setting up permissions.

#### 4. Set up CORS

1. On the GCP console, click **Activate Cloud Shell** in the top-right corner. The terminal will open at the bottom of the page.
2. In the cloud shell, run this command to create a JSON file for the CORS configuration:

   <pre data-overflow="wrap"><code>echo '[{"origin":["https://app.datasaur.ai"],"method":["GET","PUT","POST"],"responseHeader":["*"]}]' > datasaur-cors-config.json
   </code></pre>
3. Then, set the CORS configuration to your bucket. Replace `<your-bucket-name>` with your actual bucket name:

   ```
   gsutil cors set datasaur-cors-config.json gs://<your-bucket-name>
   ```
4. To verify that the configuration was applied correctly, run:

   ```
   gsutil cors get gs://<your-bucket-name>
   ```

#### 5. Check connection

Click **Check connection** to verify that the configuration is correct. If the connection succeeds, you can continue creating the external object storage integration by clicking **Add storage**.

#### 6. Setup complete

You can now create projects using files stored directly in your GCS bucket. You can also change the default object storage provider at any time from the **Settings** page.