By default, Cloud Workstations automatically restarts stopped workstations when a user attempts to connect to them. This behavior is managed by the Workstation launcher URL setting in the workstation cluster configuration.
For clusters created before April 2026, you must manually configure this setting.
Default launcher behavior
When you create or update a workstation cluster, the Workstation launcher URL
is populated with the default Google Cloud console launcher URL:
https://console.cloud.google.com/workstations/launch.
If a user tries to connect to a workstation that is not running, Cloud Workstations redirects them to this URL, automatically starts the stopped workstation, and then redirects the user back to their workstation once it is ready. This streamlines the user experience by avoiding the need for users to manually start their workstations.
For data residency, you can use a jurisdictional Google Cloud console URL, such as
https://console-us.cloud.google.com/workstations/launch for US-based traffic
or https://console-eu.cloud.google.com/workstations/launch for EU-based
traffic. These jurisdictional URLs also support automatic restarts.
Custom launcher URLs
If you specify a custom URL instead of the default, users are redirected to your custom page when they attempt to connect to a stopped workstation. In this scenario, Cloud Workstations does not automatically restart the workstation.
Configure the launcher URL
To configure this setting, see Create a workstation cluster.