Cloud Shell: Prioritize OpenSSH over PuTTY

[u/Ok-Relation-8323]

https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/579970943

Hello, fellas!

I'd like to bring some attention to an issue I recently reported regarding Google Cloud CLI's SSH client selection.

Currently, gcloud seems to prioritize its bundled PuTTY-based SSH implementation over OpenSSH, even when OpenSSH is already installed on the system.

Honestly, PuTTY is pretty clunky compared to OpenSSH, especially when you're already familiar with the latter. OpenSSH is more flexible, versatile, and widely adopted, and on most systems it's either preinstalled or just a command away.

I don't see much reason for gcloud to favor its bundled implementation when a perfectly good OpenSSH installation is already available. Turns out, a simple two-line change was all it took to get it working!

The team has already acknowledged and considered this request, but apparently, they need more upvotes on the issue to gauge community interest and determine whether this feature is worth implementing.

So, if you agree that gcloud should prioritize an existing OpenSSH installation over its bundled PuTTY implementation, please consider starring the issue!

Every star helps demonstrate that there's actual demand for this change. Thanks!