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Google Cloud Storage Setup

Multiforum uses Google Cloud Storage (GCS) for file uploads including images, attachments, and downloads.

Create a Google Cloud Project​

  1. Go to Google Cloud Console
  2. Create a new project or select an existing one
  3. Note your Project ID

Enable Cloud Storage API​

  1. Go to APIs & Services > Library
  2. Search for "Cloud Storage"
  3. Click Cloud Storage API
  4. Click Enable

Create a Storage Bucket​

  1. Go to Cloud Storage > Buckets
  2. Click Create Bucket
  3. Configure the bucket:
    • Name: Choose a globally unique name (e.g., multiforum-uploads-yourname)
    • Location: Select a region close to your deployment
    • Storage class: Standard
    • Access control: Fine-grained
  4. Click Create

Configure CORS​

To allow uploads from your frontend, configure CORS:

  1. Create a file named cors.json:
[
  {
    "origin": ["https://your-frontend-domain.com"],
    "method": ["GET", "POST", "PUT", "DELETE"],
    "responseHeader": ["Content-Type"],
    "maxAgeSeconds": 3600
  }
]
  1. Apply the CORS configuration:
gcloud storage buckets update gs://your-bucket-name --cors-file=cors.json

Create a Service Account​

  1. Go to IAM & Admin > Service Accounts
  2. Click Create Service Account
  3. Name it (e.g., multiforum-storage)
  4. Click Create and Continue
  5. Grant the Storage Admin role
  6. Click Done

Generate and Encode the Key​

  1. Click on your new service account
  2. Go to the Keys tab
  3. Click Add Key > Create new key
  4. Select JSON and click Create
  5. Save the downloaded JSON file securely

Base64 encode the key for use in environment variables:

base64 -i your-key-file.json

Required Environment Variables​

Backend (.env)​

GCS_BUCKET_NAME=your-bucket-name
GOOGLE_CREDENTIALS_BASE64=your-base64-encoded-credentials

Frontend (.env)​

VITE_GOOGLE_CLOUD_STORAGE_BUCKET=your-bucket-name

Next Steps​

Continue setting up the other prerequisites: