Use this skill to query your Google NotebookLM notebooks directly from Claude Code for source-grounded, citation-backed answers from Gemini. Browser…
NotebookLM Quick Commands
Query Google NotebookLM for source-grounded, citation-backed answers.
Environment
All dependencies and authentication are handled automatically by run.py:
First run creates .venv and installs Python/Node.js dependencies
If Google auth is missing or expired, a browser window opens automatically
No manual pre-flight steps required
Usage
/nblm <command> [args]
Commands
Notebook Management
Command
Description
login
Authenticate with Google
status
Show auth and library status
accounts
List all Google accounts
accounts add
Add a new Google account
accounts switch <id>
Switch active account (by index or email)
accounts remove <id>
Remove a Google account
accounts use <id>
Set agent-specific active account (OpenClaw isolation)
accounts clear
Clear agent-specific account override
local
List notebooks in local library
remote
List all notebooks from NotebookLM API
create <name>
Create a new notebook
delete [--id ID]
Delete a notebook
rename <name> [--id ID]
Rename a notebook
summary [--id ID]
Get AI-generated summary
describe [--id ID]
Get description and suggested topics
add <url-or-id>
Add notebook to local library (auto-detects URL vs notebook ID)
activate <id>
Set active notebook
Source Management
Command
Description
sources [--id ID]
List sources in notebook
upload <file>
Upload a single file
upload <folder>
Sync a folder of files to NotebookLM
upload-zlib <url>
Download from Z-Library and upload
upload-url <url>
Add URL as source
upload-youtube <url>
Add YouTube video as source
upload-text <title> [--content TEXT]
Add text as source
source-text <source-id>
Get full indexed text
source-guide <source-id>
Get AI summary and keywords
source-rename <source-id> <name>
Rename a source
source-refresh <source-id>
Re-fetch URL content
source-delete <source-id>
Delete a source
Upload options:
--use-active - Upload to the currently active notebook
--create-new - Create a new notebook named after the file/folder
--notebook-id <id> - Upload to a specific notebook
--dry-run - Show sync plan without executing (folder sync)
--rebuild - Force rebuild tracking file (folder sync)
Important: When user runs upload without specifying a target, ASK them first:
"Would you like to upload to the active notebook, or create a new notebook?"
Then pass the appropriate flag (--use-active or --create-new).
Chat & Audio/Media
Command
Description
ask <question>
Query NotebookLM
podcast [--instructions TEXT]
Generate audio podcast
podcast-status <task-id>
Check podcast generation status
podcast-download [output-path]
Download latest podcast
briefing [--instructions TEXT]
Generate brief audio summary
debate [--instructions TEXT]
Generate debate-style audio
slides [--instructions TEXT]
Generate slide deck
slides-download [output-path]
Download slide deck as PDF
infographic [--instructions TEXT]
Generate infographic
infographic-download [output-path]
Download infographic
media-list [--type TYPE]
List generated media (audio/video/slides/infographic)
media-delete <id>
Delete a generated media item
Command Routing
Based on $ARGUMENTS, execute the appropriate command:
$IF($ARGUMENTS,
Parse the command from: "$ARGUMENTS"
login → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup --service google
accounts → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts list
accounts add → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts add
accounts switch → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts switch "<id>"
accounts remove → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts remove "<id>"
accounts use → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts use "<id>"
accounts clear → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts clear
status → Run both:
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list
local → python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list
remote → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py notebooks
create → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py create "<name>"
delete [--id ID] → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py delete <args>
rename [--id ID] → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py rename "<name>" <args>
summary [--id ID] → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py summary <args>
describe [--id ID] → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py describe <args>
add → Smart add workflow (auto-detects URL vs notebook ID)
activate → python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py activate --id "<id>"
sources [--id ID] → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py sources <args>
upload → First ASK user: "Upload to active notebook or create new?" Then:
- Active: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --file "<file>" --use-active
- New: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --file "<file>" --create-new
upload → Sync a folder:
- First ASK user: "Sync to active notebook, create new, or specify notebook?"
- Active: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "<folder>" --use-active
- New: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "<folder>" --create-new
- Specific: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "<folder>" --notebook-id ID
- Dry-run: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "<folder>" --dry-run
- Rebuild: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "<folder>" --rebuild
upload-zlib → First ASK user: "Upload to active notebook or create new?" Then:
- Active: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --url "<url>" --use-active
- New: python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --url "<url>" --create-new
upload-url → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py upload-url "<url>"
upload-youtube → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py upload-youtube "<url>"
upload-text → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py upload-text "<title>" <args>
source-text → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-text "<id>"
source-guide → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-guide "<id>"
source-rename → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-rename "<id>" "<name>"
source-refresh → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-refresh "<id>"
source-delete → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-delete "<id>"
ask → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py ask "<question>"
podcast → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py generate --format DEEP_DIVE <args>
podcast-status → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py status --task-id "<task-id>"
podcast-download [output-path] → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py download "<output-path>"
briefing → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py generate --format BRIEF <args>
debate → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py generate --format DEBATE <args>
slides → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py generate-slides <args>
slides-download [output-path] → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py download "<output-path>" --type slide-deck
infographic → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py generate-infographic <args>
infographic-download [output-path] → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py download "<output-path>" --type infographic
media-list [--type TYPE] → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py list <args>
media-delete → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py delete "<id>"
If command not recognized, show usage help.,
Show available commands with /nblm (no arguments)
)
Podcast Options
/nblm podcast --length DEFAULT --wait --output ./podcast.mp3
/nblm podcast --instructions "Focus on the key findings"
/nblm briefing --wait --output ./summary.mp3
/nblm debate --instructions "Compare the two approaches"
Option
Values
--length
SHORT, DEFAULT, LONG
--instructions
Custom instructions for the content
--wait
Wait for generation to complete
--output
Download path (requires --wait)
Slide Deck Options
/nblm slides --format DETAILED_DECK --wait --output ./presentation.pdf
/nblm slides --instructions "Focus on key diagrams" --format PRESENTER_SLIDES
Option
Values
--format
DETAILED_DECK, PRESENTER_SLIDES
--length
SHORT, DEFAULT
--instructions
Custom instructions for the content
--wait
Wait for generation to complete
--output
Download path (requires --wait)
Infographic Options
/nblm infographic --orientation LANDSCAPE --wait --output ./visual.png
/nblm infographic --instructions "Highlight comparison" --detail-level DETAILED
Option
Values
--orientation
LANDSCAPE, PORTRAIT, SQUARE
--detail-level
CONCISE, STANDARD, DETAILED
--instructions
Custom instructions for the content
--wait
Wait for generation to complete
--output
Download path (requires --wait)
Media Generation
Command
Description
Output
/nblm podcast
Deep-dive audio discussion
MP3
/nblm briefing
Brief audio summary
MP3
/nblm debate
Debate-style audio
MP3
/nblm slides
Slide deck presentation
PDF
/nblm infographic
Visual infographic
PNG
Examples
/nblm podcast --wait --output ./deep-dive.mp3
/nblm briefing --instructions "Focus on chapter 3" --wait
/nblm debate --length LONG --wait --output ./debate.mp3
/nblm slides --instructions "Include key diagrams" --format DETAILED_DECK --wait --output ./presentation.pdf
/nblm infographic --orientation LANDSCAPE --detail-level DETAILED --wait --output ./summary.png
Download & Manage
/nblm podcast-download ./my-podcast.mp3
/nblm slides-download ./presentation.pdf
/nblm infographic-download ./visual.png
/nblm media-list # List all generated media
/nblm media-list --type audio # List only audio
/nblm media-delete <id> # Delete a media item
Extended Documentation
When to Use This Skill
Trigger when user:
Mentions NotebookLM explicitly
Shares NotebookLM URL (https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/...)
Asks to query their notebooks/documentation
Wants to add documentation to NotebookLM library
Uses phrases like "ask my NotebookLM", "check my docs", "query my notebook"
⚠️ CRITICAL: Add Command - Smart Discovery
The add command now automatically discovers metadata from the notebook:
# Smart Add (auto-discovers name, description, topics)
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add <notebook-id-or-url>
# With optional overrides
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add <id> --name "Custom Name" --topics "custom,topics"
What Smart Add does:
Fetches notebook title from NotebookLM API
Queries the notebook content to generate description and topics
Adds to local library with discovered metadata
Supported input formats:
Notebook ID: 5fd9f36b-8000-401d-a7a0-7aa3f7832644
Full URL: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/5fd9f36b-8000-401d-a7a0-7aa3f7832644
NEVER manually specify --name, --description, or --topics unless the user explicitly provides 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:
Creates .venv if needed
Installs all dependencies
Activates environment
Executes script properly
Core 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:
Browser is VISIBLE for authentication
Browser window opens automatically
User must manually log in to Google
Tell user: "A browser window will open for Google login"
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
Check library: python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list
Ask question: python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --notebook-id ID
Step 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:
STOP - Do not immediately respond to user
ANALYZE - Compare answer to user's original request
IDENTIFY GAPS - Determine if more information needed
ASK FOLLOW-UP - If gaps exist, immediately ask:
python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "Follow-up with context..."
REPEAT - Continue until information is complete
SYNTHESIZE - Combine all answers before responding to user
Z-Library Integration
Triggers
User provides Z-Library URL (zlib.li, z-lib.org, zh.zlib.li)
User says "download this book to NotebookLM"
User says "add this book from Z-Library"
Setup (One-Time)
# Authenticate with Z-Library
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup --service zlibrary
Commands
# Add book from Z-Library
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --url "https://zh.zlib.li/book/..."
# Check Z-Library auth status
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status --service zlibrary
Script Reference
Authentication Management (auth_manager.py)
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup # Default: Google
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup --service google
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup --service zlibrary
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status # Show all services
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status --service zlibrary
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py clear --service zlibrary # Clear auth
# Multi-Account Management (Google)
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts list # List all accounts
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts add # Add new account
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts switch 1 # Switch by index
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts switch user@gmail.com # Switch by email
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts remove 2 # Remove account
Notebook Management (notebook_manager.py)
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add --url URL --name NAME --description DESC --topics TOPICS
# OR use notebook ID directly:
python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add --notebook-id ID --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]
Source Manager (source_manager.py)
# Upload to active notebook
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --file "/path/to/book.pdf" --use-active
# Create new notebook for upload
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --file "/path/to/book.pdf" --create-new
# Upload to specific notebook
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --file "/path/to/book.pdf" --notebook-id NOTEBOOK_ID
# Z-Library download and upload
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --url "https://zh.zlib.li/book/..." --use-active
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py add --url "https://zh.zlib.li/book/..." --create-new
# Sync a folder (new!)
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "/path/to/docs" --use-active
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "/path/to/docs" --create-new
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "/path/to/docs" --notebook-id NOTEBOOK_ID
# Sync options (new!)
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "/path/to/docs" --dry-run # Preview only
python scripts/run.py source_manager.py sync "/path/to/docs" --rebuild # Force re-hash all files
Folder Sync:
Scans folder for supported types: PDF, TXT, MD, DOCX, HTML, EPUB
Tracks sync state internally (no per-folder tracking file to manage)
Sync strategy: add new, update modified (delete + re-upload), skip unchanged
Multi-account aware (tracks which Google account was used)
Note: One of --use-active, --create-new, or --notebook-id is REQUIRED.
Uploads wait for NotebookLM processing and print progress as Ready: N/T. Press Ctrl+C to stop waiting.
Local file uploads use browser automation and require Google authentication.
If browser automation is unavailable, set NOTEBOOKLM_UPLOAD_MODE=text to upload extracted text instead (PDFs require pypdf).
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
Watchdog Status (auth_manager.py)
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py watchdog-status
Environment Management
The virtual environment is automatically managed:
First run creates .venv automatically
Dependencies install automatically
Node.js dependencies install automatically
agent-browser daemon starts on demand and keeps browser state in memory
daemon stops after 10 minutes of inactivity (any agent-browser command resets the timer)
set AGENT_BROWSER_OWNER_PID to auto-stop when the agent process exits
scripts/run.py sets AGENT_BROWSER_OWNER_PID to its parent PID by default
Everything isolated in skill directory
Manual setup (only if automatic fails):
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate # Linux/Mac
pip install -r requirements.txt
npm install
npm run install-browsers
Data Storage
All data stored in ~/.claude/skills/notebooklm/data/:
library.json - Notebook metadata (with account associations)
auth/google/ - Multi-account Google auth
index.json - Account index (active account, list)
<n>-<email>.json - Per-account credentials
auth/zlibrary.json - Z-Library auth state
agent_browser/session_id - Current daemon session ID
agent_browser/last_activity.json - Last activity timestamp for idle shutdown
agent_browser/watchdog.pid - Idle watchdog process ID
Security: 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 user
Troubleshooting
Problem
Solution
ModuleNotFoundError
Use run.py wrapper
Authentication fails
Browser must be visible for setup! --show-browser
DAEMON_UNAVAILABLE
Ensure Node.js/npm installed, run npm install, retry
AUTH_REQUIRED
Run python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup
ELEMENT_NOT_FOUND
Verify notebook URL and re-run with fresh page load
Rate limit (50/day)
Wait or add another Google account with accounts add
Browser crashes
python scripts/run.py cleanup_manager.py --preserve-library
Notebook not found
Check with notebook_manager.py list
Best Practices
Always use run.py - Handles environment automatically
Check auth first - Before any operations
Follow-up questions - Don't stop at first answer
Browser visible for auth - Required for manual login
Include context - Each question is independent
Synthesize answers - Combine multiple responses
Limitations
No session persistence (each question = new browser)
Rate limits on free Google accounts (50 queries/day per account; use multiple accounts to increase)
Manual upload required (user must add docs to NotebookLM)
Browser overhead (few seconds per question)
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 library
references/ - 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 committeddon't have the plugin yet? install it then click "run inline in claude" again.