NotebookLM Skill

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]

Notebook Management

CommandDescriptionloginAuthenticate with GooglestatusShow auth and library statusaccountsList all Google accountsaccounts addAdd a new Google accountaccounts switch <id>Switch active account (by index or email)accounts remove <id>Remove an accountlocalList notebooks in local libraryremoteList all notebooks from NotebookLM APIcreate <name>Create a new notebookdelete [--id ID]Delete a notebookrename <name> [--id ID]Rename a notebooksummary [--id ID]Get AI-generated summarydescribe [--id ID]Get description and suggested topicsadd <url-or-id>Add notebook to local library (auto-detects URL vs notebook ID)activate <id>Set active notebook

Source Management

CommandDescriptionsources [--id ID]List sources in notebookupload <file>Upload a single fileupload <folder>Sync a folder of files to NotebookLMupload-zlib <url>Download from Z-Library and uploadupload-url <url>Add URL as sourceupload-youtube <url>Add YouTube video as sourceupload-text <title> [--content TEXT]Add text as sourcesource-text <source-id>Get full indexed textsource-guide <source-id>Get AI summary and keywordssource-rename <source-id> <name>Rename a sourcesource-refresh <source-id>Re-fetch URL contentsource-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

CommandDescriptionask <question>Query NotebookLMpodcast [--instructions TEXT]Generate audio podcastpodcast-status <task-id>Check podcast generation statuspodcast-download [output-path]Download latest podcastbriefing [--instructions TEXT]Generate brief audio summarydebate [--instructions TEXT]Generate debate-style audioslides [--instructions TEXT]Generate slide deckslides-download [output-path]Download slide deck as PDFinfographic [--instructions TEXT]Generate infographicinfographic-download [output-path]Download infographicmedia-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 <id> → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts switch "<id>"
• accounts remove <id> → python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py accounts remove "<id>"
• 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 <name> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py create "<name>"
• delete [--id ID] → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py delete <args>
• rename <name> [--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 <url-or-id> → Smart add workflow (auto-detects URL vs notebook ID)
• activate <id> → python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py activate --id "<id>"
• sources [--id ID] → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py sources <args>
• upload <file> → 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 <folder> → 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 <url> → 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 <url> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py upload-url "<url>"
• upload-youtube <url> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py upload-youtube "<url>"
• upload-text <title> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py upload-text "<title>" <args>
• source-text <id> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-text "<id>"
• source-guide <id> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-guide "<id>"
• source-rename <id> <name> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-rename "<id>" "<name>"
• source-refresh <id> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-refresh "<id>"
• source-delete <id> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py source-delete "<id>"
• ask <question> → python scripts/run.py nblm_cli.py ask "<question>"
• podcast → python scripts/run.py artifact_manager.py generate --format DEEP_DIVE <args>
• podcast-status <task-id> → 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 <id> → 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" OptionValues--lengthSHORT, DEFAULT, LONG--instructionsCustom instructions for the content--waitWait for generation to complete--outputDownload 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 OptionValues--formatDETAILED_DECK, PRESENTER_SLIDES--lengthSHORT, DEFAULT--instructionsCustom instructions for the content--waitWait for generation to complete--outputDownload path (requires --wait)

Infographic Options

/nblm infographic --orientation LANDSCAPE --wait --output ./visual.png /nblm infographic --instructions "Highlight comparison" --detail-level DETAILED OptionValues--orientationLANDSCAPE, PORTRAIT, SQUARE--detail-levelCONCISE, STANDARD, DETAILED--instructionsCustom instructions for the content--waitWait for generation to complete--outputDownload path (requires --wait)

Media Generation

CommandDescriptionOutput/nblm podcastDeep-dive audio discussionMP3/nblm briefingBrief audio summaryMP3/nblm debateDebate-style audioMP3/nblm slidesSlide deck presentationPDF/nblm infographicVisual infographicPNG

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

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

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

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

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

ProblemSolutionModuleNotFoundErrorUse run.py wrapperAuthentication failsBrowser must be visible for setup! --show-browserDAEMON_UNAVAILABLEEnsure Node.js/npm installed, run npm install, retryAUTH_REQUIREDRun python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setupELEMENT_NOT_FOUNDVerify notebook URL and re-run with fresh page loadRate limit (50/day)Wait or add another Google account with accounts addBrowser crashespython scripts/run.py cleanup_manager.py --preserve-libraryNotebook not foundCheck 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 committed