Methods and apparatus for distribution and execution of instructions in a distributed computing environment are disclosed. An example method includes accessing, by executing an instruction with a processor implementing a management agent within a deployment environment, an indication of an instruction to be executed, the indication of the instruction to be executed provided by a management endpoint operated at a virtual appliance within the deployment environment. The instruction is retrieved from a repository. The repository is identified by the indication of the instruction to be executed. An instruction executor is directed to execute the instruction. The instruction is to cause the instruction executor to install an update to the management agent.