diff --git a/src/requireAuth.ts b/src/requireAuth.ts
index a4f7795ba88..6ecd3637b52 100644
--- a/src/requireAuth.ts
+++ b/src/requireAuth.ts
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ async function autoAuth(options: Options, authScopes: string[]): Promise<null |
 
     // project is also selected in monospace auth flow
     options.projectId = await client.getProjectId();
+    // Persist this project so it is used by other commands, too.
+    utils.setGlobalDefaultProject(options.projectId);
   }
   return clientEmail || null;
 }
diff --git a/src/utils.ts b/src/utils.ts
index f955876dd8e..02dae110cd9 100644
--- a/src/utils.ts
+++ b/src/utils.ts
@@ -340,6 +340,21 @@ export function makeActiveProject(projectDir: string, newActive?: string): void
   configstore.set("activeProjects", activeProjects);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Sets the global default project.
+ * When no other project is specified (either via the current directory or the --project flag),
+ * this project will be used.
+ */
+export function setGlobalDefaultProject(project: string): void {
+  configstore.set("globalDefaultProject", project);
+  logger.info("");
+  logger.info(`${clc.bold(project)} is now your global default project.`);
+  logger.info(
+    "When no other project is specified (by 'firebase use' or '--project'), this project will be used.",
+  );
+  logger.info("");
+}
+
 /**
  * Creates API endpoint string, e.g. /v1/projects/pid/cloudfunctions
  */