How do I install the google workspace mcp server?

Use a recorded configuration for your client, replace example credential values and paths, and verify the documented runtime. Restart or reconnect the client, then inspect the available tools.

SSyncDev

Start a project

Google Workspace MCP Server

Google Workspace as 41 curated MCP tools: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Tasks.

Local serverstdioTypeScript

What is the Google Workspace MCP Server?

Google Workspace as 41 curated MCP tools: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Tasks.

What you get

The gws CLI had a built-in MCP server that was removed in v0.8.0 because it exposed 200-400 tools — causing context window bloat in MCP clients. This server takes a curated approach: you choose which Google services to expose, and only a focused set of high-value, narrowly scoped operations are registered as tools. Every tool declares all four MCP annotation hints — readOnlyHint, destructiveHint, idempotentHint, openWorldHint — so clients can reason about side effects, know which writes are safe to retry, and surface clearer consent prompts.

Configuration and credentials

Node.js 18+ - gws CLI installed and authenticated (npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli && gws auth login)

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

Tool	What it does
drive_files_list	Search and list files
drive_files_get	Get file metadata
drive_files_create	Create files (with optional upload)
drive_files_copy	Copy files (useful for format conversion)
drive_files_update	Update file metadata/content
drive_files_delete	Delete files
drive_files_export	Export Google Workspace files (Doc, Sheet, Slide) to other formats
drive_files_download	Download file content (text inline, binary as base64 or saved to a path; Google-native files are exported to a readable format)
drive_permissions_create	Share files
sheets_get	Get spreadsheet metadata
sheets_values_get	Read cell values
sheets_values_update	Write cell values
sheets_values_append	Append rows
calendar_events_list	List events

How to install the Google Workspace MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gws": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@googleworkspace/cli"]
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

Node.js 18+ - gws CLI installed and authenticated (npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli && gws auth login)

Example prompts to try

“Use Google Workspace to drive files list.”
“Use Google Workspace to drive files get.”
“Use Google Workspace to drive files create.”

Frequently asked questions

Google Workspace as 41 curated MCP tools: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Tasks. Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.