Use this skill to query your Google NotebookLM notebooks directly from Claude Code for source-grounded, citation-backed answers from Gemini. Browser automation, library management, persistent auth. Drastically reduced hallucinations through document-only responses.
npxskills add zircote/.claude--skill notebooklmLoading…
Interact with Google NotebookLM to query documentation with Gemini's source-grounded answers. Each question opens a fresh browser session, retrieves the answer exclusively from your uploaded documents, and closes.
Trigger when user:
https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/...)When user wants to add a notebook without providing details:
SMART ADD (Recommended): Query the notebook first to discover its content:
# Step 1: Query the notebook about its content
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "What is the content of this notebook? What topics are covered? Provide a complete overview briefly and concisely" --notebook-url "[URL]"
# Step 2: Use the discovered information to add it
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add --url "[URL]" --name "[Based on content]" --description "[Based on content]" --topics "[Based on content]"
MANUAL ADD: If user provides all details:
--url - The NotebookLM URL--name - A descriptive name--description - What the notebook contains (REQUIRED!)--topics - Comma-separated topics (REQUIRED!)NEVER guess or use generic descriptions! If details missing, use Smart Add to discover them.
NEVER call scripts directly. ALWAYS use python scripts/run.py [script]:
# ✅ CORRECT - Always use run.py:
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..."
# ❌ WRONG - Never call directly:
python scripts/auth_manager.py status # Fails without venv!
The run.py wrapper automatically:
.venv if neededpython scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status
If not authenticated, proceed to setup.
# Browser MUST be visible for manual Google login
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup
Important:
# List all notebooks
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list
# BEFORE ADDING: Ask user for metadata if unknown!
# "What does this notebook contain?"
# "What topics should I tag it with?"
# Add notebook to library (ALL parameters are REQUIRED!)
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add \
--url "https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/..." \
--name "Descriptive Name" \
--description "What this notebook contains" \ # REQUIRED - ASK USER IF UNKNOWN!
--topics "topic1,topic2,topic3" # REQUIRED - ASK USER IF UNKNOWN!
# Search notebooks by topic
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py search --query "keyword"
# Set active notebook
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py activate --id notebook-id
# Remove notebook
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py remove --id notebook-id
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py listpython scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --notebook-id ID# Basic query (uses active notebook if set)
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "Your question here"
# Query specific notebook
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --notebook-id notebook-id
# Query with notebook URL directly
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --notebook-url "https://..."
# Show browser for debugging
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --show-browser
Every NotebookLM answer ends with: "EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: Is that ALL you need to know?"
Required Claude Behavior:
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "Follow-up with context..."
auth_manager.py)python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup # Initial setup (browser visible)
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status # Check authentication
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py reauth # Re-authenticate (browser visible)
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py clear # Clear authentication
notebook_manager.py)python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add --url URL --name NAME --description DESC --topics TOPICS
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py search --query QUERY
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py activate --id ID
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py remove --id ID
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py stats
ask_question.py)python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." [--notebook-id ID] [--notebook-url URL] [--show-browser]
cleanup_manager.py)python scripts/run.py cleanup_manager.py # Preview cleanup
python scripts/run.py cleanup_manager.py --confirm # Execute cleanup
python scripts/run.py cleanup_manager.py --preserve-library # Keep notebooks
The virtual environment is automatically managed:
.venv automaticallyManual setup (only if automatic fails):
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate # Linux/Mac
pip install -r requirements.txt
python -m patchright install chromium
All data stored in ~/.claude/skills/notebooklm/data/:
library.json - Notebook metadataauth_info.json - Authentication statusbrowser_state/ - Browser cookies and sessionSecurity: Protected by .gitignore, never commit to git.
Optional .env file in skill directory:
HEADLESS=false # Browser visibility
SHOW_BROWSER=false # Default browser display
STEALTH_ENABLED=true # Human-like behavior
TYPING_WPM_MIN=160 # Typing speed
TYPING_WPM_MAX=240
DEFAULT_NOTEBOOK_ID= # Default notebook
User mentions NotebookLM
↓
Check auth → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status
↓
If not authenticated → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup
↓
Check/Add notebook → python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list/add (with --description)
↓
Activate notebook → python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py activate --id ID
↓
Ask question → python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..."
↓
See "Is that ALL you need?" → Ask follow-ups until complete
↓
Synthesize and respond to user
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| ModuleNotFoundError | Use run.py wrapper |
| Authentication fails | Browser must be visible for setup! --show-browser |
| Rate limit (50/day) | Wait or switch Google account |
| Browser crashes | python scripts/run.py cleanup_manager.py --preserve-library |
| Notebook not found | Check with notebook_manager.py list |
Important directories and files:
scripts/ - All automation scripts (ask_question.py, notebook_manager.py, etc.)data/ - Local storage for authentication and notebook libraryreferences/ - Extended documentation:
api_reference.md - Detailed API documentation for all scriptstroubleshooting.md - Common issues and solutionsusage_patterns.md - Best practices and workflow examples.venv/ - Isolated Python environment (auto-created on first run).gitignore - Protects sensitive data from being committed
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