Skip to main content
Before we start turning emails into actions, let’s get your AI tools connected to Gmail, Calendar, and Google Docs.
You will need: a laptop with internet access and a Google account (Gmail + Calendar + Docs). No coding experience is required — we will guide you through every step.
1

Install Node.js

Already have Node.js? If you installed it for a previous tutorial, skip this step. Run node --version in your terminal to check — you should see a version number like v22.x.x.
Node.js is a free tool that lets you run Gemini CLI on your computer.
  1. Go to nodejs.org
  2. Click the big green LTS button to download the installer
  3. Open the downloaded .msi file
  4. Click Next through all the screens — the default settings are fine
  5. Click Install, then Finish
Open your terminal and type:
node --version
You should see a version number like v22.x.x. If you see an error, try closing and reopening your terminal, then run the command again.
2

Install Gemini CLI

Already have Gemini CLI? If you installed it for a previous tutorial, skip this step. Just run gemini in your terminal to check it still works.
Gemini CLI is Google’s free AI assistant. It runs in your terminal and helps you with tasks based on your descriptions.Open your terminal and type:
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
Wait for the installation to finish. Then start it by typing:
gemini
The first time you run it, Gemini CLI will ask you to sign in:
  • Choose “Sign in with Google”
  • A browser window will open — sign in with your Google account
  • Come back to the terminal when it says you’re connected
Free tier: 60 requests per minute, 1,000 requests per day — more than enough for this tutorial and everyday use.
This means Node.js isn’t installed correctly. Go back and reinstall Node.js. After reinstalling, close your terminal completely and open a new one before trying again.
Windows: Close PowerShell and reopen it by right-clicking and choosing “Run as Administrator”. Then try the install command again.macOS: Add sudo before the command:
sudo npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
Enter your computer password when prompted (you won’t see characters as you type — that’s normal).
Type /quit to exit Gemini CLI for now. We will start it again after installing the Google Workspace tools.
3

Install the Google Workspace CLI (gws)

gws is a command-line tool that controls all your Google apps — Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets — from the terminal. It’s what lets AI manage your Google Workspace without opening a browser.Open your terminal and type:
Copy this command
npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli
Wait for the installation to finish. Then set up your Google Cloud project:
Copy this command
gws auth setup
What does gws auth setup do? It creates a Google Cloud project for you, enables the APIs you need, and prepares everything for sign-in. It requires the gcloud CLI — if you don’t have it, see the troubleshooting section below.
Once setup is complete, sign in and choose which Google services to connect:
Copy this command
gws auth login -s gmail,calendar,drive,docs,sheets
A browser window will open — sign in with your Google account and approve the permissions.
“Google hasn’t verified this app” warning: This is normal. Click Advanced → Go to [app name] (unsafe) to continue. This is safe for personal use — Google shows this for all apps that haven’t gone through their official review process.
Scope checkboxes: If you see a list of permission checkboxes, select all of them (or click Select all) before clicking Continue. These are the permissions gws needs to read and manage your Google apps.
Verify the installation by checking today’s calendar:
Copy this command
gws calendar +agenda
You should see your upcoming events listed in your terminal. If you do, gws is working.
Free to use: gws is free and open-source. It connects to Google’s APIs using your own Google account — there are no usage limits beyond Google’s own API quotas.
The installation may not have added gws to your system PATH. Try closing your terminal completely and opening a new one, then run gws --version. If it still doesn’t work, try reinstalling:
npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli
gws auth setup uses the gcloud CLI to automate project creation. You have two options:
  1. Install gcloud from cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install, then run gws auth setup again
  2. Skip gcloud — set up OAuth credentials manually in the Google Cloud Console. Create a project, enable the APIs you need, create an OAuth Desktop App client, download the JSON, and save it to ~/.config/gws/client_secret.json. Then run gws auth login.
Windows: Close PowerShell and reopen it by right-clicking and choosing “Run as Administrator”. Then try the install command again.macOS: Add sudo before the command:
sudo npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli
Enter your computer password when prompted (you won’t see characters as you type — that’s normal).
If you see an error like “Gmail API has not been used in project…”, the API needs to be enabled:
  1. Look for the enable_url link in the error message
  2. Open that link in your browser
  3. Click Enable
  4. Wait 10 seconds, then retry your command
You can also run gws auth setup again — it enables all required APIs automatically.
Your Google account is not listed as a test user for the OAuth app. Open the OAuth consent screen in your Google Cloud project → Test users → Add users → enter your Google account email. Then retry gws auth login.
4

Connect Gemini CLI to gws

Now let’s give Gemini CLI the ability to use your Google Workspace tools. Open your terminal and run:
Copy this command
gemini extensions install https://github.com/googleworkspace/cli
This connects Gemini CLI to gws, so when you give a natural language instruction, Gemini can read your Gmail, create calendar events, and write to Google Docs on your behalf.
What does this do? It installs an extension that lets Gemini CLI call gws commands automatically. Instead of you typing gws calendar +insert ..., you can just say “Create a calendar event for Friday” and Gemini handles the rest.
Make sure you have an internet connection and that Node.js is installed correctly. Try running node --version first. If that works but the extension install fails, try closing and reopening your terminal, then running the command again.
5

Install Wispr Flow (optional)

This step is optional. Wispr Flow lets you speak instead of type — handy if you prefer talking over typing. Skip this step if you’d rather type your prompts.
Sign up using this invite link to get a free month of Pro: https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115Both you and the tutorial author benefit — you get a free month of Pro, and they get a free month when you dictate 2,000 words!
  1. Sign up at wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115
  2. Download and install the app for your operating system
  3. Configure settings — enable these options for the best experience:
    • Experimental > Command Mode — Enable advanced voice commands
    • Press Enter Command — Automatically press enter when you say “press enter”
    • Bulk Import — Import snippets and dictionary items
Wispr Flow is a voice-to-text tool that lets you dictate instead of type. It works in any application, including your terminal. Instead of typing a long prompt to Gemini CLI, you can just say it out loud. This is especially useful if you find typing slow or tiring.
6

Test the connection

Start Gemini CLI and try these two prompts to make sure everything is connected:
Copy this command
gemini
Then say (with Wispr Flow) or type:
Say this or copy this prompt
Check my Gmail and tell me how many unread emails I have.
You should see Gemini CLI access your Gmail and return information about your inbox. Now try this:
Say this or copy this prompt
What meetings do I have today?
You should see your calendar events listed. If both work, everything is connected and ready.
Gemini asks for permission? If Gemini CLI asks to approve a tool call, type y and press Enter. This is normal — it is asking your permission before accessing your Google apps.
The extension may not have installed correctly. Try running the install command again:
gemini extensions install https://github.com/googleworkspace/cli
Then exit (/quit) and restart Gemini CLI. You can check installed extensions with /extensions list.
Your Google authorisation may have expired. Exit Gemini CLI and run gws auth login -s gmail,calendar,drive,docs,sheets again to re-authorise. Then restart Gemini CLI.

​
Verify your setup

Run node --version in your terminal. You should see a version number.
Run gemini in your terminal. It starts up and shows a prompt where you can type.
Run gws calendar +agenda in your terminal. You should see your upcoming calendar events.
The extension installed without errors. You can verify with /extensions list inside Gemini CLI.
Gemini CLI can tell you about your unread emails and today’s meetings when you ask.
Both test prompts returned real results from your Gmail and Calendar.
All set? Head to Automate your workflow to start turning emails into actions.