NotebookLM Research Assistant Skill
Interact with Google NotebookLM to query documentation with Gemini's source-grounded answers. Each question opens a fresh browser session, retrieves the answer exclusively from your uploaded documents, and closes.
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
When user wants to add a notebook without providing details:
SMART ADD (Recommended): Query the notebook first to discover its content:
# Step 1: Query the notebook about its content python scripts/run.py ask_question.py --question "What is the content of this notebook? What topics are covered? Provide a complete overview briefly and concisely" --notebook-url "[URL]" # Step 2: Use the discovered information to add it python scripts/run.py notebook_manager.py add --url "[URL]" --name "[Based on content]" --description "[Based on content]" --topics "[Based on content]"
MANUAL ADD: If user provides all details:
- •
--url- The NotebookLM URL - •
--name- A descriptive name - •
--description- What the notebook contains (REQUIRED!) - •
--topics- Comma-separated topics (REQUIRED!)
NEVER guess or use generic descriptions! If details missing, use Smart Add to discover 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
.venvif needed - •Installs all dependencies
- •Activates environment
- •Executes script properly
Core Workflow
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:
bash
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
Script Reference
Authentication Management (auth_manager.py)
python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py setup # Initial setup (browser visible) python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py status # Check authentication python scripts/run.py auth_manager.py reauth # Re-authenticate