GCP Console Bulk VM Instance Stopper

WHAT IT DOES

GCP Console Bulk VM Instance Stopper lets you stop, start, or restart multiple VM instances in a single operation. Instead of opening each instance individually, clicking the action menu, selecting the desired action, and confirming — repeating this for every single instance — this tool provides a unified checklist of all VM instances on the current page. You can filter instances by zone or status (Running, Stopped, Pending) to quickly find the ones you want to manage. Select any number of instances using checkboxes, choose your action from the dropdown (Stop, Start, or Restart), and click Apply. The tool then automatically processes each selected instance — opening the action menu, selecting the desired action, and confirming if a confirmation dialog appears. This turns what could be dozens of manual operations into a single batch action, making VM lifecycle management and cost optimization significantly faster and more efficient.

WHERE IT RUNS

This script runs exclusively on the Google Cloud Console web application in your browser. It activates on the Compute Engine VM instances list page. It requires the BotGentz extension to inject and execute the script. The tool does not work on the gcloud CLI, the mobile app, or any third-party GCP clients — only the web-based Cloud Console accessed through a Chromium-based or Firefox browser. It specifically targets pages under console.cloud.google.com, including the Compute Engine VM instances view.

HOW TO USE

After installing the script via BotGentz, navigate to the Google Cloud Console and open the Compute Engine → VM Instances page. The tool automatically detects the instance list and displays a floating panel on the right side. The panel shows all VM instances on the current page, with checkboxes next to each instance entry. Each instance displays its name, zone, status indicator dot, and machine type. Use the search box to filter by instance name, or use the zone and status filter dropdowns to narrow down your selection. Check the boxes for every instance you want to manage. Below the instance list, select your action from the dropdown — Stop, Start, or Restart. Click "Apply Action" and confirm the action. The tool will process each selected instance one by one — opening the action menu, selecting the desired action, and confirming if a confirmation dialog appears. A status message appears when the operation completes, showing how many instances were successfully processed. Instances already in the target state will be skipped with a notification.

THE ACTUAL MECHANISM — WHY IT WORKS

The Google Cloud Console is built with Angular and React and uses a component-based rendering system for its Compute Engine management. The VM instance list is rendered as table rows, each containing instance metadata and action buttons. This tool scans the DOM for instance rows using multiple selector patterns that Cloud Console consistently uses across versions. For each instance, it extracts the name, zone, status, and machine type from the visible text content and data attributes. Each instance is assigned a unique identifier from data attributes or checkbox values. When performing actions, the tool locates the action menu button on each instance item and triggers a click event. It then waits for the menu to appear, finds the option matching the target action (stop, start, or restart), and clicks it. If Cloud Console shows a confirmation dialog, the tool detects it and clicks the confirm button. This approach works without making direct API calls, which would require authentication tokens and knowledge of GCP's internal API structure. By using the existing UI, the tool works within Cloud Console's own permission and validation system, and continues to function even if the underlying API changes.

THE PANEL

The floating panel is fully draggable — click and drag the header to reposition it anywhere on the page. The panel's position is saved per site in localStorage, so it reappears exactly where you left it when you return to the VM instances page. Double-click the header to snap the panel to the nearest edge (left or right). A collapse button minimizes the panel to a small tab showing a server emoji badge, keeping it out of the way while still accessible. The instance list inside the panel is scrollable and resizes vertically based on the number of instances. Pressing Escape while the panel is focused closes it completely; reopening is done via a small button injected near the page toolbar. All panel interactions are non-blocking — Cloud Console remains fully responsive while the panel is open, and the panel updates automatically when you navigate between projects or pages.

PLEASE NOTE

This script requires the BotGentz extension (free) to run user scripts on the Google Cloud Console. Google frequently updates the Cloud Console interface and modal structures; if the tool stops working, check for an updated version within BotGentz's script repository. This tool does not store, transmit, or log any instance data, project information, or action history — all operations occur locally in your browser with no external network requests except those made by Cloud Console itself. VM actions are applied through Cloud Console's own UI event system, so all changes respect your IAM permissions and project policies. The tool does not bypass GCP's security or permission system; it simply automates the clicks you would otherwise perform manually. For projects with a large number of VM instances, the tool may take several minutes to complete the operation, as each instance is processed sequentially with delays to avoid overwhelming the UI. A progress indicator shows which instance is currently being processed. Always double-check your selections and action before applying changes, as stopping or restarting VMs can affect running applications and services. The tool only affects instances visible on the current page; to manage all instances, use Cloud Console's built-in pagination controls or adjust your filters to show all relevant instances. The tool displays a warning if you attempt to stop instances that are already stopped or start instances that are already running.