blog-notebooklm
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10 scripts
Query Google NotebookLM notebooks for source-grounded, citation-backed answers from user-uploaded documents. Manages notebook library, handles Google authentication, and supports smart discovery. Works standalone via /blog notebooklm or internally from blog-write and blog-researcher for Tier 1 research data. Falls back gracefully when not configured. Use when user says "notebooklm", "notebook", "query notebook", "ask notebook", "notebook research", "source grounded research", "document query", "notebook library".
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Sourceagricidaniel/claude-blog
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NPX Install
npx skill4agent add agricidaniel/claude-blog blog-notebooklmTags
Translated version includes tags in frontmatterSKILL.md Content
View Translation Comparison →Blog NotebookLM -- Source-Grounded Research from Your Documents
Query Google NotebookLM notebooks directly from Claude Code for citation-backed
answers from Gemini. Each question opens a headless browser session, retrieves
the answer exclusively from your uploaded documents, and closes. Responses are
Tier 1 quality (user's own primary sources) -- zero hallucination risk.
Answers satisfy the FLOW evidence triple: use the returned source title as the
inline citation and the notebook URL plus retrieval date as the bibliography
entry. This is the highest-confidence path to meeting the "verified source"
bar that FLOW requires before any statistic goes public.
Quick Reference
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| Query a notebook for source-grounded answers |
| Smart-discover notebook content before cataloging |
| List all notebooks in library |
| Add a notebook to library |
| Search notebooks by keyword |
| Remove a notebook from library |
| One-time Google authentication (browser visible) |
| Check authentication status |
| Clean browser state (preserves library) |
Prerequisites
- Google account with NotebookLM access
- Python 3.11+ (venv managed automatically by )
run.py - Google Chrome (installed automatically on first run via Patchright)
- One-time authentication setup (interactive Google login in visible browser)
Always Use run.py Wrapper
NEVER call scripts directly. ALWAYS use :
python3 scripts/run.py [script]bash
# CORRECT:
python3 scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status
python3 scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..."
# WRONG -- fails without venv:
python3 scripts/auth_manager.py statusThe wrapper automatically creates , installs dependencies,
sets up Chrome, and executes the target script.
run.py.venvAuth Check (Gate Pattern)
Before any query operation, check authentication:
bash
python3 scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status- If authenticated: proceed with the query
- If not authenticated: inform user and guide to setup:
"NotebookLM requires Google login. Run to authenticate."
/blog notebooklm setup - When called internally (from blog-write or blog-researcher): return silently with no error if not authenticated. Never block the writing workflow.
Setup Workflow
For :
/blog notebooklm setupbash
# Opens a visible browser for manual Google login (one-time)
python3 scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setupTell the user: "A browser window will open. Please log in to your Google account."
Authentication persists via browser profile + cookie injection (hybrid approach).
Other auth commands:
bash
python3 scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status # Check auth
python3 scripts/run.py auth_manager.py reauth # Re-authenticate
python3 scripts/run.py auth_manager.py clear # Clear all auth dataQuery Workflow
For :
/blog notebooklm ask <question>Step 1: Check Auth
Run auth check (see gate pattern above). If not authenticated, guide to setup.
Step 2: Resolve Notebook
Determine which notebook to query:
- If provided: use directly
--notebook-url - If provided: look up in library
--notebook-id - If neither: use active notebook from library
- If no active notebook: show library and ask user to select
Step 3: Ask the Question
bash
# Basic query (uses active notebook)
python3 scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "Your question here"
# Query specific notebook by ID
python3 scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --notebook-id notebook-id
# Query by URL directly
python3 scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --notebook-url "https://..."
# JSON output (for internal/programmatic use)
python3 scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --json
# Show browser for debugging
python3 scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "..." --show-browserStep 4: Analyze and Follow Up
Every response ends with a follow-up prompt. Required behavior:
- STOP -- do not immediately respond to the user
- ANALYZE -- compare the answer to the user's original request
- IDENTIFY GAPS -- determine if more information is needed
- ASK FOLLOW-UP -- if gaps exist, immediately ask a follow-up question
- REPEAT -- continue until information is complete
- SYNTHESIZE -- combine all answers before responding to the user
Smart Discovery Workflow
For :
/blog notebooklm discover <url>When adding a notebook without knowing its content, query it first:
bash
# Step 1: Discover content
python3 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: Add with discovered metadata
python3 scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add \
--url "<URL>" \
--name "<Based on content>" \
--description "<Based on content>" \
--topics "<Extracted topics>"NEVER guess or use generic descriptions. Always discover or ask the user.
Library Management
bash
# List all notebooks
python3 scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py list
# Add notebook (all params required -- discover or ask user!)
python3 scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add \
--url "https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/..." \
--name "Descriptive Name" \
--description "What this notebook contains" \
--topics "topic1,topic2,topic3"
# Search by keyword
python3 scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py search --query "keyword"
# Set active notebook
python3 scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py activate --id notebook-id
# Remove notebook
python3 scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py remove --id notebook-id
# Library statistics
python3 scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py statsInternal API (for blog-write / blog-researcher)
When invoked as a Task subagent from blog-write or blog-researcher:
Input (provided by calling skill):
- : Research question relevant to the blog topic
question - or
notebook_id: Which notebook to querynotebook_url - : "internal" (signals graceful fallback mode)
context
Process:
- Check auth status -- if not authenticated, return empty result silently
- Query the notebook with the research question
- Parse and return structured response
Output (returned to calling skill):
markdown
### NotebookLM Research
- **Source:** [Notebook name]
- **Question:** [What was asked]
- **Answer:** [Source-grounded response from user's documents]
- **Source Quality:** Tier 1 (user-uploaded primary documents)Graceful fallback: If auth is missing or query fails, return immediately
with no error. The calling workflow continues with WebSearch-based research.
Never block blog-write or blog-rewrite because NotebookLM is unavailable.
Data Storage
All data stored inside the skill directory:
- -- Notebook metadata and library
scripts/data/library.json - -- Authentication status
scripts/data/auth_info.json - -- Chrome profile with cookies
scripts/data/browser_state/
Security: All data directories are gitignored. Never commit auth or browser state.
Error Handling
| Error | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Not authenticated | Run |
| ModuleNotFoundError | Always use |
| Browser crash | |
| Rate limit (50/day) | Wait until midnight PST or switch Google account |
| Notebook not found | Check with |
| Query timeout (120s) | Retry with simpler question or |
| MCP unavailable (internal) | Return silently -- writing workflow uses WebSearch |
Limitations
- No session persistence (each question = new browser session)
- Rate limits on free Google accounts (50 queries/day)
- Manual upload required (user must add docs to NotebookLM web UI)
- Browser overhead (few seconds per question for launch + teardown)
- Local Claude Code only (not available in web UI)
Reference Documentation
Load on-demand -- do NOT load all at startup:
- -- Full CLI commands, parameters, and workflow patterns
references/commands.md - -- Error solutions, recovery procedures, debugging
references/troubleshooting.md