# Connect Claude Code to Google Workspace with the GWS CLI

Follow the installation and OAuth sequence, then check a branded presentation and a source-linked Gmail research task.

[HTML](https://lukejbyrne.com/library/guides/bgesnjfeqde/)
Content language: en
Author: Luke Byrne
Video published: 2026-04-06
Guide published: 2026-11-02

[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE)
Video language: English

## Install the CLI and choose the account

Luke’s April walkthrough connects Claude to Google Workspace through the Google Workspace CLI. Its examples include Gmail research, formatted documents and slides, and brand-aligned presentations. The repository is the implementation resource: https://github.com/googleworkspace/cli. Installation begins at 2:31 in the recorded sequence.

1. Open the repository and follow the installation instructions appropriate to the demonstrated environment. Keep the Google account and project you intend to use clearly identified throughout setup.
2. Choose a small first task with a result you can inspect, such as a document or presentation built from supplied content. Use test material before introducing sensitive work data.

## Complete OAuth and verify the granted access

The video sets up Google Cloud OAuth at 4:49 and authorises account permissions at 8:12. Signing in and receiving permission to a particular service are related but distinct steps. The task you want Claude to perform should determine which access is useful.

1. Follow the recorded OAuth setup alongside the repository instructions. Check the chosen account and requested permissions before granting access, keeping credentials in the intended local configuration.
2. Run the small task and locate the resulting file in the selected account. Inspect its actual content and formatting; a successful authentication message does not establish that the intended document was created correctly.

## Test presentation styling and email research

At 9:15 Luke generates a presentation aligned with a brand kit; at 11:07 he researches Gmail threads. These examples use different evidence: presentation quality depends on the supplied content and style, while email research must stay faithful to the exact messages and dates.

1. Supply the brand assets and content for a small slide set. Open the finished presentation and check names, colours, layout and reading order rather than relying on the creation summary.
2. Select a narrow Gmail research question and inspect the threads behind the answer. Keep dates, sender statements and unresolved questions distinct, and review any proposed external action separately from the research.

## The takeaway

Verify the saved files and source messages after connecting Workspace. Direct access reduces copying, while the final document and research answer still need their own checks.

## Workflow resources

- [ailuke.short.gy](https://ailuke.short.gy/bgESNJfEqdE_skool)
- [ailuke.short.gy](https://ailuke.short.gy/bgESNJfEqdE_scripti)
- [github.com](https://github.com/googleworkspace/cli)

## Chapters

- [0:00 — Connecting Claude to Google Workspace](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE&t=0s)
- [1:17 — Creating scripts and slides with Claude](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE&t=77s)
- [2:31 — Installing the Google Workspace CLI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE&t=151s)
- [4:49 — Setting up Google Cloud OAuth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE&t=289s)
- [8:12 — Authorizing account permissions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE&t=492s)
- [9:15 — Generating brand-aligned presentations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE&t=555s)
- [11:07 — Using Claude to research Gmail threads](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE&t=667s)

## Sources and limitations

Prepared 2 November 2026 from the published video description and chapters. The actions are editorial follow-along guidance. The full video was not independently watched or transcribed and no new product test was run. Setup, availability and offers may have changed since the recording.

[Original video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgESNJfEqdE)