> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://herwaka.shesharp.org.nz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up your tools

> Install Gemini CLI and Google Workspace CLI — connect AI to your Google Calendar, Gmail, and Drive.

Before we start prepping for meetings, let's get your AI tools connected to Google Calendar, Gmail, and Drive.

<Warning>
  **You will need:** a laptop with internet access and a Google account with Calendar, Gmail, and Drive. No coding experience is required — we will guide you through every step.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Node.js">
    <Info>
      **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`.
    </Info>

    Node.js is a free tool that lets you run Gemini CLI on your computer.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Windows">
        1. Go to [nodejs.org](https://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**
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="macOS">
        1. Go to [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org)
        2. Click the big green **LTS** button to download the installer
        3. Open the downloaded `.pkg` file
        4. Click **Continue** through all the screens — the default settings are fine
        5. Click **Install**, then **Close**
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    <Accordion title="How do I know it worked?">
      Open your terminal and type:

      ```bash theme={null}
      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.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Gemini CLI">
    <Info>
      **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.
    </Info>

    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:

    ```bash theme={null}
    npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
    ```

    Wait for the installation to finish. Then start it by typing:

    ```bash theme={null}
    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

    <Info>
      **Free tier:** 60 requests per minute, 1,000 requests per day — more than enough for this tutorial and everyday use.
    </Info>

    <Accordion title="'npm' is not recognised">
      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.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="Permission denied error">
      **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:

      ```bash theme={null}
      sudo npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
      ```

      Enter your computer password when prompted (you won't see characters as you type — that's normal).
    </Accordion>

    Type `/quit` to exit Gemini CLI for now. We will start it again after installing the Google Workspace CLI.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install 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:

    ```bash title="Copy this command" theme={null}
    npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli
    ```

    Wait for the installation to finish. Then set up your Google Cloud project:

    ```bash title="Copy this command" theme={null}
    gws auth setup
    ```

    <Info>
      **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.
    </Info>

    Once setup is complete, sign in and choose which Google services to connect:

    ```bash title="Copy this command" theme={null}
    gws auth login -s gmail,calendar,drive,docs,sheets
    ```

    A browser window will open — sign in with your Google account and approve the permissions.

    <Warning>
      **"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.
    </Warning>

    <Warning>
      **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.
    </Warning>

    Verify the installation by checking today's calendar:

    ```bash title="Copy this command" theme={null}
    gws calendar +agenda
    ```

    You should see your upcoming events listed in your terminal. If you do, `gws` is working.

    <Info>
      **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.
    </Info>

    <Accordion title="'gws' is not recognised">
      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:

      ```bash theme={null}
      npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli
      ```
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="'gcloud' is not installed">
      `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](https://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](https://console.cloud.google.com/). 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`.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="Permission denied error">
      **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:

      ```bash theme={null}
      sudo npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli
      ```

      Enter your computer password when prompted (you won't see characters as you type — that's normal).
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="API not enabled error">
      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.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="'Access blocked' or 403 during login">
      Your Google account is not listed as a test user for the OAuth app. Open the [OAuth consent screen](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials/consent) in your Google Cloud project → **Test users** → **Add users** → enter your Google account email. Then retry `gws auth login`.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Gemini CLI to gws">
    Now let's give Gemini CLI the ability to use `gws` — so it can read your calendar, email, and drive when you ask.

    Open your terminal and run this command:

    ```bash title="Copy this command" theme={null}
    gemini extensions install https://github.com/googleworkspace/cli
    ```

    This tells Gemini CLI to use the Google Workspace CLI as an extension. Once installed, Gemini can pull your calendar events, search your emails, find shared documents, and generate meeting briefings — all through natural language prompts.

    <Info>
      **What is an extension?** Extensions are plugins that add new capabilities to Gemini CLI. This extension connects Gemini to your Google Workspace apps — similar to how you might install an app on your phone.
    </Info>

    <Accordion title="The command fails or hangs">
      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.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Wispr Flow (optional)">
    <Info>
      **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.
    </Info>

    <Tip>
      **Sign up using this invite link to get a free month of Pro:**
      [https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115](https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115)

      Both 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!
    </Tip>

    1. **Sign up** at [wisprflow.ai/r?CHAN115](https://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

    <Accordion title="What is Wispr Flow?">
      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.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test the connection">
    Start Gemini CLI and ask it to read your calendar and drive — this confirms everything is connected.

    ```bash title="Copy this command" theme={null}
    gemini
    ```

    Once Gemini CLI is running, say (with Wispr Flow) or type this prompt:

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    What meetings do I have this week?
    ```

    You should see Gemini CLI access your Google Calendar and return a list of upcoming events. If it does, try one more test:

    ```text title="Say this or copy this prompt" theme={null}
    List my recent Google Drive files.
    ```

    You should see Gemini CLI access your Google Drive and return a list of recent files. If both work, everything is connected.

    <Tip>
      **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 data.
    </Tip>

    <Accordion title="Gemini says it has no calendar or drive tools">
      The extension may not have installed correctly. Try running the install command again:

      ```bash theme={null}
      gemini extensions install https://github.com/googleworkspace/cli
      ```

      Then exit (`/quit`) and restart Gemini CLI. You can check installed extensions with `/extensions list`.
    </Accordion>

    <Accordion title="The browser window doesn't open for authentication">
      Copy the URL shown in your terminal and paste it into your browser manually. Complete the sign-in there, then return to the terminal.
    </Accordion>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify your setup

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Node.js installed">
    Run `node --version` in your terminal. You should see a version number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gemini CLI installed and signed in">
    Run `gemini` in your terminal. It starts up and shows a prompt where you can type.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="gws installed and authenticated">
    Run `gws calendar +agenda` in your terminal. You should see your upcoming events.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gemini CLI extension installed">
    The extension installed without errors. You can verify with `/extensions list` inside Gemini CLI.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Calendar connection tested">
    Gemini CLI can tell you about your meetings when you ask "What meetings do I have this week?"
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Drive connection tested">
    Gemini CLI can list your recent files when you ask "List my recent Google Drive files."
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  All set? Head to [Prepare for your meeting](/tutorial/meeting-prep/prepare) to get your first AI-powered meeting briefing.
</Note>