NotebookLM CLI

Overview

This skill provides complete access to Google NotebookLM through a command-line interface. Manage notebooks, sources, and generate various content formats including audio podcasts, reports, quizzes, flashcards, mind maps, slides, infographics, videos, and data tables.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Managing NotebookLM notebooks and sources programmatically


• Generating audio overviews (podcasts) from notebook sources


• Creating study materials: quizzes, flashcards, reports


• Producing visual content: slides, infographics, mind maps, videos


• Querying sources via chat or one-shot questions


• Researching and importing new sources automatically

Quick Start

Authentication

nlm login

Launches Chrome, navigates to NotebookLM, and extracts session cookies. Requires Google Chrome installed.

List Notebooks

nlm notebook list

Create Notebook and Add Sources

nlm notebook create "My Research"
nlm source add <notebook-id> --url ""
nlm source add <notebook-id> --text "Your content here" --title "My Notes"

Generate Content (All Types)

All generation commands require --confirm or -y:

nlm audio create <id> --confirm          # Podcast
nlm report create <id> --confirm         # Briefing doc or study guide
nlm quiz create <id> --confirm           # Quiz questions
nlm flashcards create <id> --confirm     # Flashcards
nlm mindmap create <id> --confirm        # Mind map
nlm slides create <id> --confirm         # Slide deck
nlm infographic create <id> --confirm    # Infographic
nlm video create <id> --confirm          # Video overview
nlm data-table create <id> "description" --confirm  # Data table

Authentication

Command

Description

nlm login	Authenticate with NotebookLM (opens Chrome)
nlm login --check	Verify current credentials
nlm auth status	Check session validity
nlm auth list	List all profiles
nlm auth delete --confirm	Delete a profile
nlm login --profile	Login to specific profile

Sessions last ~20 minutes. Re-authenticate with nlm login if commands fail.

Notebook Management

Command

Description

nlm notebook list	List all notebooks
nlm notebook create "Title"	Create a new notebook
nlm notebook get	Get notebook details
nlm notebook describe	AI-generated summary
nlm notebook query "question"	Chat with sources
nlm notebook delete --confirm	Delete a notebook

Source Management

Command

Description

nlm source list	List sources in notebook
nlm source list --drive	Show Drive sources with freshness
nlm source add --url "..."	Add URL or YouTube source
nlm source add --text "..." --title "..."	Add pasted text
nlm source add --drive	Add Google Drive document
nlm source describe	AI summary of source
nlm source content	Get raw text content
nlm source stale	List outdated Drive sources
nlm source sync --confirm	Sync Drive sources

Content Generation

All generation commands require --confirm or -y:

Media Types

Command

Output

nlm audio create --confirm	Audio podcast overview
nlm report create --confirm	Briefing doc or study guide
nlm quiz create --confirm	Quiz questions
nlm flashcards create --confirm	Flashcards
nlm mindmap create --confirm	Mind map
nlm slides create --confirm	Slide deck
nlm infographic create --confirm	Infographic
nlm video create --confirm	Video overview
nlm data-table create "description" --confirm	Data table extraction

Studio (Artifact Management)

Command

Description

nlm studio status	List all generated artifacts
nlm studio delete --confirm	Delete an artifact

Chat

Command

Description

nlm chat start	Start interactive REPL session
nlm chat configure	Configure chat goal and response style
nlm notebook query "question"	One-shot question (no session)

Chat REPL commands: /sources, /clear, /help, /exit

Research

Command

Description

nlm research start "query" --notebook-id	Web search (~30s)
nlm research start "query" --notebook-id --mode deep	Deep research (~5min)
nlm research start "query" --notebook-id --source drive	Search Google Drive
nlm research status	Check research progress
nlm research import	Import discovered sources

Aliases (UUID Shortcuts)

nlm alias set myproject <uuid>           # Create alias
nlm notebook get myproject               # Use alias
nlm alias list                           # List all aliases
nlm alias get myproject                  # Resolve to UUID
nlm alias delete myproject               # Remove alias

Output Formats

Most list commands support multiple formats:

nlm notebook list                # Rich table (default)
nlm notebook list --json         # JSON output
nlm notebook list --quiet        # IDs only (for scripting)
nlm notebook list --title        # "ID: Title" format
nlm notebook list --full         # All columns

Profiles (Multiple Accounts)

nlm login --profile work         # Login to profile
nlm notebook list --profile work # Use profile
nlm auth list                    # List all profiles
nlm auth delete work --confirm   # Delete profile

Configuration

nlm config show                  # Show current configuration
nlm config get <key>             # Get specific setting
nlm config set <key> <value>     # Update setting

AI Documentation

For AI assistants, generate comprehensive documentation:

nlm --ai

Outputs 400+ lines covering all commands, authentication flow, error handling, task sequences, and automation tips.

References

• Command Reference - Complete command signatures
• Troubleshooting - Error diagnosis and solutions
• Workflows - End-to-end task sequences