I recently deployed GCPLens, a futuristic, location-aware dashboard for Google Cloud. It visualizes cost, health, and usage across the globe with a premium design system.
Engineered with Precision
This project was built to solve the gap between abstract metrics and physical location. Here is the stack powering the experience:
- Next.js 14: Using App Router & Server Components for speed.
- Google Maps API: Deep integration with Advanced Markers for real-time visualization.
- Tailwind CSS: A custom Glassmorphism design system.
- Google Cloud Run: Containerized auto-scaling deployment.
The Engineering Challenges
Moving from local development to a production cloud environment required solving several key puzzles:
1. Build-Time Secret Management
Next.js aggressively bundles client-side code during the build phase. Integrating the Google Maps API key required passing it as a build argument (--build-arg) to Docker, ensuring it was baked into the static assets without exposing it in the repository.
2. Container Optimization
Standard Node containers failed health checks on Cloud Run. I optimized the Dockerfile to use Node 22-alpine and explicitly bound the Next.js server to 0.0.0.0, allowing the container orchestrator to properly route traffic.
3. UX & Hydration Stability
Integrating complex browser-only libraries like Google Maps with React Server Components caused initial hydration mismatches. I implemented strict boundary checks and deterministic data generation to ensure a butter-smooth initial load.
4. Mobile Browser Optimization
To ensure GCPLens is truly "location-aware" for field teams, I implemented a mobile-first navigation system. This included a floating glassmorphism bottom bar for touch-friendly transitions and responsive layout adjustments that prioritize critical KPIs and map visibility on smaller screens. Using Framer Motion, I added fluid animations to the mobile navigation to maintain the premium, high-tech feel even on the go.
Deployed live on Google Cloud Platform (us-central1).