The `googlecompute` Packer builder is able to create images for use with Google Compute Engine (GCE) based on existing images. Google Compute Engine doesn't allow the creation of images from scratch.
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description: |
The `googlecompute` Packer builder is able to create images for use with Google
Compute Engine (GCE) based on existing images. Google Compute Engine doesn't
allow the creation of images from scratch.
layout: docs
page_title: Google Compute Builder
...
# Google Compute Builder
Type: `googlecompute`
The `googlecompute` Packer builder is able to create [images](https://developers.google.com/compute/docs/images) for use with
[Google Compute Engine](https://cloud.google.com/products/compute-engine)(GCE) based on existing images. Google
Compute Engine doesn't allow the creation of images from scratch.
The `googlecompute` Packer builder is able to create
[images](https://developers.google.com/compute/docs/images) for use with [Google
Compute Engine](https://cloud.google.com/products/compute-engine)(GCE) based on
existing images. Google Compute Engine doesn't allow the creation of images from
scratch.
## Authentication
Authenticating with Google Cloud services requires at most one JSON file,
called the _account file_. The _account file_ is **not** required if you are running
the `googlecompute` Packer builder from a GCE instance with a properly-configured
[Compute Engine Service Account](https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/authentication).
Authenticating with Google Cloud services requires at most one JSON file, called
the *account file*. The *account file* is **not** required if you are running
the `googlecompute` Packer builder from a GCE instance with a