> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://autorender.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Google Cloud Storage

> Connect a Google Cloud Storage bucket to Autorender and transform your GCS-hosted assets in place.

Connecting a GCS source lets Autorender read objects straight from your Google Cloud Storage bucket and deliver them transformed. Authentication uses a service account key you paste in full.

![Google Cloud Storage configuration](https://assets.autorender.io/LOKVTtKVGb/doc1/external-storage-gcp.png)

## Add your source to Autorender

In the dashboard, open **Sources**, click **Connect**, and choose **Google Cloud Storage**. See [Connect a source](/docs/storage/introduction#connect-a-source-in-the-dashboard) for the full walkthrough. Then fill in the fields below.

## Field mapping

Each field on the Autorender form maps to a value from your Google Cloud Console:

| Google Cloud value              | Autorender field         | Example                                                                  |
| :------------------------------ | :----------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Bucket name                     | **Bucket Name**          | `acme-assets`                                                            |
| Service account key file (JSON) | **Service Account JSON** | The full JSON key file contents (a single JSON object, roughly 20 lines) |
| —                               | **Origin Name**          | `acme-assets`                                                            |

The **Origin Name** is your own label for the source and becomes part of every delivery URL: `https://assets.autorender.io/{workspace}-{origin}/{file_path}`.

<Info>
  Paste the full **contents** of the JSON key file into **Service Account JSON**, not the file path and not the download URL. Paste everything from the opening brace to the closing brace, including the private key.
</Info>

## Where to find each value

<Steps>
  <Step title="Copy the bucket name from the Cloud Storage browser.">
    Open **Cloud Storage** in the Google Cloud Console and copy the bucket's name from the list (e.g. `acme-assets`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a read-only service account.">
    Go to **IAM & Admin** → **Service Accounts** and create an account (e.g. `autorender-read-only`). Grant it the **Storage Object Viewer** role on this bucket only, so a leaked key can reach nothing else.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a JSON key for that service account.">
    On the account's **Keys** tab, click **Add Key** → **Create new key** → **JSON**. The file downloads once.

    <Warning>
      Google downloads the JSON key a single time and cannot re-issue it. Keep your copy — Autorender encrypts it on submission and never displays it again.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the entire file into Service Account JSON.">
    Open the downloaded file and paste its full contents into the field.

    <Info>
      Paste the JSON **contents**, not the file path — the entire object from the downloaded key file.
    </Info>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Access your assets" icon="link" iconType="solid" href="/docs/storage/introduction#access-your-assets">
    Build a delivery URL for objects in your bucket.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Image transformations" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" iconType="solid" href="/docs/transformations/introduction">
    Resize, crop, and convert the assets you deliver.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>