Notebooklm
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.
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NotebookLM Research Assistant Skill
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.
When to Use This Skill
Trigger when user:
https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/...)⚠️ CRITICAL: Add Command - Smart Discovery
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.
Critical: Always Use run.py Wrapper
**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 neededCore Workflow
Step 1: Check Authentication Status
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status
If not authenticated, proceed to setup.
Step 2: Authenticate (One-Time Setup)
# Browser MUST be visible for manual Google login python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup
Important:
Step 3: Manage Notebook Library
# 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
Quick Workflow
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py listpython scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --notebook-id IDStep 4: Ask Questions
# 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
Follow-Up Mechanism (CRITICAL)
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..."
Script Reference
Authentication Management (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 Management (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
Question Interface (ask_question.py)
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." [--notebook-id ID] [--notebook-url URL] [--show-browser]
Data Cleanup (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
Environment Management
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
Data Storage
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.
Configuration
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
Decision Flow
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 userTroubleshooting
| 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 |
Best Practices
Limitations
Resources (Skill Structure)
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 scripts
- troubleshooting.md - Common issues and solutions
- usage_patterns.md - Best practices and workflow examples
.venv/ - Isolated Python environment (auto-created on first run).gitignore - Protects sensitive data from being committedHow to Use & Getting Started
# Step 1: Initialize skill agent setup
npx skills add Notebooklm --install-production
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt
codex plugin install Notebooklm@latest
export API_KEY=secret_token_key_here
Installation Runbook & Walkthrough Locked
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