- A
The project ID 'my-project' does not exist.
Why wrong: A missing project would cause authentication errors, not specifically push failure.
- B
The Artifact Registry repository 'my-repo' has not been created.
The push step requires the repository to exist; otherwise, the push fails.
- C
The Dockerfile is missing in the repository.
Why wrong: A missing Dockerfile would cause the build step to fail, not the push step.
- D
Cloud Run service 'my-service' already exists and needs to be deleted.
Why wrong: An existing service would not cause a push failure; it would cause a deploy failure if redeploying without --allow-unauthenticated.
- E
The gcloud command requires the '--platform managed' flag.
Why wrong: The --platform flag is not required for Cloud Run deploy; the command works without it.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the Artifact Registry repository 'my-repo' has not been created. This is the most likely cause because Cloud Build does not automatically provision repositories; it strictly pushes to a pre-existing target. When the cloudbuild.yaml references a repository that does not exist in the project, the Docker image push fails with a permission or not-found error, as the registry endpoint cannot resolve the destination. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the dependency between Cloud Build and Artifact Registry, often appearing as a trick where candidates suspect authentication issues or incorrect image tags. A common trap is assuming Cloud Build will create the repository on the fly, but it will not. Remember the mnemonic: "Build pushes, but repos must exist first."
PCD Building and testing applications Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of building and testing applications. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Refer to the exhibit. A developer creates this cloudbuild.yaml for a Cloud Build pipeline. When they run the build, they get an error that the image push failed. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The Artifact Registry repository 'my-repo' has not been created.
The error occurs because the cloudbuild.yaml references an Artifact Registry repository 'my-repo' that does not exist in the project. Cloud Build attempts to push the Docker image to the specified repository, and if the repository has not been created, the push fails with a permission or not-found error. The repository must be created before the build runs, as Cloud Build does not automatically create repositories.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The project ID 'my-project' does not exist.
Why it's wrong here
A missing project would cause authentication errors, not specifically push failure.
- ✓
The Artifact Registry repository 'my-repo' has not been created.
Why this is correct
The push step requires the repository to exist; otherwise, the push fails.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The Dockerfile is missing in the repository.
Why it's wrong here
A missing Dockerfile would cause the build step to fail, not the push step.
- ✗
Cloud Run service 'my-service' already exists and needs to be deleted.
Why it's wrong here
An existing service would not cause a push failure; it would cause a deploy failure if redeploying without --allow-unauthenticated.
- ✗
The gcloud command requires the '--platform managed' flag.
Why it's wrong here
The --platform flag is not required for Cloud Run deploy; the command works without it.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between build-time errors (e.g., missing Dockerfile) and push-time errors (e.g., missing repository), and candidates may confuse a missing repository with a missing project or a deployment flag issue.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The --platform flag is not required for Cloud Run deploy; the command works without it.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Artifact Registry repositories are regional and must be explicitly created using the `gcloud artifacts repositories create` command before use. Cloud Build uses the `docker push` command under the hood, which authenticates via the Cloud Build service account and requires the `artifactregistry.repositories.uploadArtifacts` permission on the repository. If the repository does not exist, the Docker client receives a 404 or 403 error from the Artifact Registry API, causing the push to fail.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Building and testing applications — This question tests Building and testing applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Artifact Registry repository 'my-repo' has not been created. — The error occurs because the cloudbuild.yaml references an Artifact Registry repository 'my-repo' that does not exist in the project. Cloud Build attempts to push the Docker image to the specified repository, and if the repository has not been created, the push fails with a permission or not-found error. The repository must be created before the build runs, as Cloud Build does not automatically create repositories.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This PCD practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCD exam.
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