Google Drive Automation

Google Drive

Selective Reading Rule

Start with:

• references/senior-master-standard.md
• references/usage-routing.md
• references/quality-checklist.md

Then load only the inherited docs, scripts, assets, or examples that match the user's actual task.

Lightweight Google Drive integration with standalone OAuth authentication. No MCP server required. Full read/write access.

Requires Google Workspace account. Personal Gmail accounts are not supported.

When to Use

• You need to search, list, upload, download, move, or organize Google Drive files and folders.
• The task requires direct Drive read/write automation through local scripts in a Workspace account.
• You want file-level Drive operations without introducing an MCP server dependency.

First-Time Setup

Authenticate with Google (opens browser):

python scripts/auth.py login

Check authentication status:

python scripts/auth.py status

Logout when needed:

python scripts/auth.py logout

Read Commands

All operations via scripts/drive.py. Auto-authenticates on first use if not logged in.

# Search for files (full-text search)
python scripts/drive.py search "quarterly report"

# Search by title only
python scripts/drive.py search "title:budget"

# Search using Google Drive URL (extracts ID automatically)
python scripts/drive.py search "https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ABC123..."

# Search files shared with you
python scripts/drive.py search --shared-with-me

# Search with pagination
python scripts/drive.py search "report" --limit 5 --page-token "..."

# Find a folder by exact name
python scripts/drive.py find-folder "Project Documents"

# List files in root Drive
python scripts/drive.py list

# List files in a specific folder
python scripts/drive.py list 1ABC123xyz --limit 20

# Download a file
python scripts/drive.py download 1ABC123xyz ./downloads/report.pdf

Write Commands

# Upload a file to Drive root
python scripts/drive.py upload ~/Documents/report.pdf

# Upload to a specific folder
python scripts/drive.py upload ~/Documents/report.pdf --folder 1ABC123xyz

# Upload with a custom name
python scripts/drive.py upload ~/Documents/report.pdf --name "Q4 Report.pdf"

# Create a new folder
python scripts/drive.py create-folder "Project Documents"

# Create a folder inside another folder
python scripts/drive.py create-folder "Attachments" --parent 1ABC123xyz

# Move a file to a different folder
python scripts/drive.py move FILE_ID DESTINATION_FOLDER_ID

# Copy a file
python scripts/drive.py copy FILE_ID
python scripts/drive.py copy FILE_ID --name "Report Copy" --folder 1ABC123xyz

# Rename a file or folder
python scripts/drive.py rename FILE_ID "New Name.pdf"

# Move a file to trash
python scripts/drive.py trash FILE_ID

Search Query Formats

The search command supports multiple query formats:

File ID Format

Google Drive uses long IDs like 1ABC123xyz_-abc123. Get IDs from:

• search results
• find-folder results
• list results
• Google Drive URLs

Download Limitations

• Regular files (PDFs, images, etc.) download directly
• Google Docs/Sheets/Slides cannot be downloaded via this tool
• For Google Workspace files, use export or dedicated tools

Token Management

Tokens stored securely using the system keyring:

• macOS: Keychain
• Windows: Windows Credential Locker
• Linux: Secret Service API (GNOME Keyring, KDE Wallet, etc.)

Service name: google-drive-skill-oauth

Automatically refreshes expired tokens using Google's cloud function.

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.