Dheeraj Kumar
01/12/2024
-8 minutes read
Build a Google Cloud Storage File Explorer App in 30 Minutes
Learn how to create a Google Cloud Storage File Explorer app quickly using a low-code platform. Manage your GCS buckets efficiently with this step-by-step guide.

Introduction
In today's fast-paced digital world, managing cloud storage efficiently is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. Google Cloud Storage (GCS) offers a robust solution for storing and accessing data, but navigating through its interface can sometimes be cumbersome. This guide will walk you through creating a custom Google Cloud Storage File Explorer app in just 30 minutes, using a low-code platform to streamline the process.
Understanding Google Cloud Storage
Google Cloud Storage is a versatile, scalable, and secure object storage service designed to handle a wide range of data types, from images and videos to text files and more. It organizes data into buckets, which are linked to specific projects within an organization. This structure allows for efficient data management and retrieval.
Requirements for Building the GCS File Explorer
To build your GCS File Explorer app, you'll need the following:
- Low-Code Platform: A user-friendly platform that allows you to create applications without extensive coding knowledge. You can choose to host it on the cloud or locally.
- Google Cloud Storage: Access to a GCS account with a JSON private key for a service account to enable connectivity.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building the UI
Setting Up the Application
Begin by logging into your low-code platform and creating a new application. This will take you to a visual editor where you can design your app's interface. Rename your app to something descriptive, like 'GCS File Explorer'.
Designing the User Interface
The visual editor is divided into several sections:
- Canvas: The central area where you can drag and drop widgets to build your UI.
- Query Editor: Located at the bottom, this is where you create and manage data queries.
- Widget Manager: On the right, it contains a variety of widgets and components to enhance your UI.
- Inspector and Datasource Manager: On the left, these tools help manage data sources and app settings.
Building the UI Components
Start by adding a Container widget to serve as the header, and place a Text widget inside it to display the app's title. Below the header, add another container to house the main sections of your app. Customize the background color to suit your brand.
Next, add a Text widget in the center with the message 'Please select a bucket'. This will be conditionally visible based on user actions. Above this text, place a Container with a List View widget to display file details like Name, Updated On, Size, and Actions.
For the list view, use Text widgets for displaying file attributes and an Image widget for download actions. Configure these widgets to dynamically display data from your queries.
Adding Interactive Elements
Include a Button widget to trigger a dialog for bucket selection. Add a Modal widget to the canvas, and configure the button to display this modal. Inside the modal, use a Dropdown widget to list available buckets and a Button to execute the file listing query.
Finally, create an Upload section using a Container. Add widgets like Text, Divider, Text Input, File Picker, and Button to facilitate file uploads. Configure the button to trigger the upload query.
Connecting to Google Cloud Storage
Setting Up the Datasource
Navigate to the Datasource Manager and add a new datasource. Select Google Cloud Storage and input your JSON private key. Test the connection to ensure it's working, then save the datasource.
Creating Queries
You'll need to create several queries to interact with GCS:
- Show Modal Action: A JavaScript query to display the modal on page load.
- List Buckets: A query to retrieve and display available buckets.
- List Files: A query to list files within a selected bucket.
- Upload File: A query to upload files to a selected bucket.
- Download URL: A query to generate a signed URL for file downloads.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've successfully built a Google Cloud Storage File Explorer app in just 30 minutes. This app allows you to efficiently manage your GCS buckets, providing a seamless interface for file uploads and downloads.
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