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.
Add this skill
npx mdskills install sickn33/notebooklmComprehensive browser automation skill with detailed workflows, smart discovery, and persistent auth
Let Claude Code chat directly with NotebookLM for source-grounded answers based exclusively on your uploaded documents
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 - answers only from your uploaded documents.
Installation • Quick Start • Why NotebookLM • How It Works • MCP Alternative
This skill works ONLY with local Claude Code installations, NOT in the web UI.
The web UI runs skills in a sandbox without network access, which this skill requires for browser automation. You must use Claude Code locally on your machine.
When you tell Claude Code to "search through my local documentation", here's what happens:
This Claude Code Skill lets Claude Code chat directly with NotebookLM — Google's source-grounded knowledge base powered by Gemini 2.5 that provides intelligent, synthesized answers exclusively from your uploaded documents.
Your Task → Claude asks NotebookLM → Gemini synthesizes answer → Claude writes correct code
No more copy-paste dance: Claude asks questions directly and gets answers straight back in the CLI. It builds deep understanding through automatic follow-ups, getting specific implementation details, edge cases, and best practices.
| Approach | Token Cost | Setup Time | Hallucinations | Answer Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed docs to Claude | 🔴 Very high (multiple file reads) | Instant | Yes - fills gaps | Variable retrieval |
| Web search | 🟡 Medium | Instant | High - unreliable sources | Hit or miss |
| Local RAG | 🟡 Medium-High | Hours (embeddings, chunking) | Medium - retrieval gaps | Depends on setup |
| NotebookLM Skill | 🟢 Minimal | 5 minutes | Minimal - source-grounded only | Expert synthesis |
# 1. Create skills directory (if it doesn't exist)
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
# 2. Clone this repository
cd ~/.claude/skills
git clone https://github.com/PleasePrompto/notebooklm-skill notebooklm
# 3. That's it! Open Claude Code and say:
"What are my skills?"
When you first use the skill, it automatically:
.venv)Note: The setup uses real Chrome instead of Chromium for cross-platform reliability, consistent browser fingerprinting, and better anti-detection with Google services
Say in Claude Code:
"What skills do I have?"
Claude will list your available skills including NotebookLM.
"Set up NotebookLM authentication"
A Chrome window opens → log in with your Google account
Go to notebooklm.google.com → Create notebook → Upload your docs:
Share: ⚙️ Share → Anyone with link → Copy
Option A: Let Claude figure it out (Smart Add)
"Query this notebook about its content and add it to my library: [your-link]"
Claude will automatically query the notebook to discover its content, then add it with appropriate metadata.
Option B: Manual add
"Add this NotebookLM to my library: [your-link]"
Claude will ask for a name and topics, then save it for future use.
"What does my React docs say about hooks?"
Claude automatically selects the right notebook and gets the answer directly from NotebookLM.
This is a Claude Code Skill - a local folder containing instructions and scripts that Claude Code can use when needed. Unlike the MCP server version, this runs directly in Claude Code without needing a separate server.
| Feature | This Skill | MCP Server |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Claude Skills | Model Context Protocol |
| Installation | Clone to ~/.claude/skills | claude mcp add ... |
| Sessions | Fresh browser each question | Persistent chat sessions |
| Compatibility | Claude Code only (local) | Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, etc. |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Distribution | Git clone | npm package |
~/.claude/skills/notebooklm/
├── SKILL.md # Instructions for Claude
├── scripts/ # Python automation scripts
│ ├── ask_question.py # Query NotebookLM
│ ├── notebook_manager.py # Library management
│ └── auth_manager.py # Google authentication
├── .venv/ # Isolated Python environment (auto-created)
└── data/ # Local notebook library
When you mention NotebookLM or send a notebook URL, Claude:
NotebookLM significantly reduces hallucinations by answering exclusively from your uploaded documents. If information isn't available, it indicates uncertainty rather than inventing content.
No copy-paste between browser and editor. Claude asks and receives answers programmatically.
Save NotebookLM links with tags and descriptions. Claude auto-selects the right notebook for your task.
One-time Google login, then authentication persists across sessions.
Everything runs in the skill folder with an isolated Python environment. No global installations.
Uses realistic typing speeds and interaction patterns to avoid detection.
| What you say | What happens |
|---|---|
| "Set up NotebookLM authentication" | Opens Chrome for Google login |
| "Add [link] to my NotebookLM library" | Saves notebook with metadata |
| "Show my NotebookLM notebooks" | Lists all saved notebooks |
| "Ask my API docs about [topic]" | Queries the relevant notebook |
| "Use the React notebook" | Sets active notebook |
| "Clear NotebookLM data" | Fresh start (keeps library) |
User asks: "Check my Suzuki GSR 600 workshop manual for brake fluid type, engine oil specs, and rear axle torque."
Claude automatically:
You: "I need to build an n8n workflow for Gmail spam filtering. Use my n8n notebook."
Claude's internal process:
→ Loads NotebookLM skill
→ Activates n8n notebook
→ Asks comprehensive questions with follow-ups
→ Synthesizes complete answer from multiple queries
Result: Working workflow on first try, no debugging hallucinated APIs.
Note: The MCP server uses the same Patchright library but via TypeScript/npm ecosystem.
.venv on first useAll data is stored locally within the skill directory:
~/.claude/skills/notebooklm/data/
├── library.json - Your notebook library with metadata
├── auth_info.json - Authentication status info
└── browser_state/ - Browser cookies and session data
Important Security Note:
data/ directory contains sensitive authentication data and personal notebooks.gitignoredata/ directoryUnlike the MCP server, this skill uses a stateless model:
This means:
For multi-step research, Claude automatically asks follow-up questions when needed.
Why doesn't this work in the Claude web UI? The web UI runs skills in a sandbox without network access. Browser automation requires network access to reach NotebookLM.
How is this different from the MCP server? This is a simpler, Python-based implementation that runs directly as a Claude Skill. The MCP server is more feature-rich with persistent sessions and works with multiple tools (Codex, Cursor, etc.).
Can I use both this skill and the MCP server? Yes! They serve different purposes. Use the skill for quick Claude Code integration, use the MCP server for persistent sessions and multi-tool support.
What if Chrome crashes?
Run: "Clear NotebookLM browser data" and try again.
Is my Google account secure? Chrome runs locally on your machine. Your credentials never leave your computer. Use a dedicated Google account if you're concerned.
# Make sure it's in the right location
ls ~/.claude/skills/notebooklm/
# Should show: SKILL.md, scripts/, etc.
Say: "Reset NotebookLM authentication"
Say: "Clear NotebookLM browser data"
# Manual reinstall if needed
cd ~/.claude/skills/notebooklm
rm -rf .venv
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate # or .venv\Scripts\activate on Windows
pip install -r requirements.txt
This tool automates browser interactions with NotebookLM to make your workflow more efficient. However, a few friendly reminders:
About browser automation: While I've built in humanization features (realistic typing speeds, natural delays, mouse movements) to make the automation behave more naturally, I can't guarantee Google won't detect or flag automated usage. I recommend using a dedicated Google account for automation rather than your primary account—think of it like web scraping: probably fine, but better safe than sorry!
About CLI tools and AI agents: CLI tools like Claude Code, Codex, and similar AI-powered assistants are incredibly powerful, but they can make mistakes. Please use them with care and awareness:
I built this tool for myself because I was tired of the copy-paste dance between NotebookLM and my editor. I'm sharing it in the hope it helps others too, but I can't take responsibility for any issues, data loss, or account problems that might occur. Use at your own discretion and judgment.
That said, if you run into problems or have questions, feel free to open an issue on GitHub. I'm happy to help troubleshoot!
This skill is inspired by my NotebookLM MCP Server and provides an alternative implementation as a Claude Code Skill:
If you need:
Without this skill: NotebookLM in browser → Copy answer → Paste in Claude → Copy next question → Back to browser...
With this skill: Claude researches directly → Gets answers instantly → Writes correct code
Stop the copy-paste dance. Start getting accurate, grounded answers directly in Claude Code.
# Get started in 30 seconds
cd ~/.claude/skills
git clone https://github.com/PleasePrompto/notebooklm-skill notebooklm
# Open Claude Code: "What are my skills?"
Built as a Claude Code Skill adaptation of my NotebookLM MCP Server
For source-grounded, document-based research directly in Claude Code
Install via CLI
npx mdskills install sickn33/notebooklmNotebookLM Claude Code Skill is a free, open-source AI agent skill. 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.
Install NotebookLM Claude Code Skill with a single command:
npx mdskills install sickn33/notebooklmThis downloads the skill files into your project and your AI agent picks them up automatically.
NotebookLM Claude Code Skill works with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, Vscode Copilot, Windsurf, Continue Dev, Codex, Gemini Cli, Amp, Roo Code, Goose, Opencode, Trae, Qodo, Command Code. Skills use the open SKILL.md format which is compatible with any AI coding agent that reads markdown instructions.