Google Calendar CLI Setup
Interactive walkthrough for setting up gcalcli with Google OAuth.
Time estimate: 5-10 minutes Requires: Browser access to Google Cloud Console
Before Starting
Ask: "This requires creating an OAuth app in Google Cloud Console. It takes about 5-10 minutes. Ready to start?"
If they want to skip: "No problem! You can run /setup-gcalcli anytime later."
Step 1: Install gcalcli
brew install gcalcli
Verify: gcalcli --version
Step 2: Google Cloud Console
Say: "Open Google Cloud Console in your browser:"
https://console.cloud.google.com/
Ask: "Are you logged into your Google account and see the console?"
Step 3: Create or Select Project
Say: "Click the project dropdown at the top and either:"
- •Select an existing project, OR
- •Click 'New Project' and create one (name it anything, like 'gcalcli')
Ask: "Do you have a project selected?"
Step 4: Enable Calendar API
Say: "Now we need to enable the Google Calendar API:"
- •Click the hamburger menu (☰) top left
- •Go to APIs & Services → Library
- •Search for "Google Calendar API"
- •Click on it and press Enable
Ask: "Do you see 'API Enabled' or a dashboard for Google Calendar API?"
Step 5: OAuth Consent Screen
Say: "Now set up the OAuth consent screen:"
- •Go to APIs & Services → OAuth consent screen
- •Select External (unless you have Workspace, then Internal)
- •Click Create
- •Fill in:
- •App name:
gcalcli - •User support email: your email
- •Developer contact: your email
- •App name:
- •Click Save and Continue
- •Skip Scopes (just click Save and Continue)
- •Add yourself as a Test User (your email)
- •Click Save and Continue
Ask: "Done with the consent screen? You should see a summary."
Step 6: Create Credentials
Say: "Almost there! Now create the OAuth credentials:"
- •Go to APIs & Services → Credentials
- •Click + CREATE CREDENTIALS → OAuth client ID
- •Application type: Desktop app
- •Name:
gcalcli - •Click Create
Say: "You should now see a popup with your Client ID and Client Secret. Keep this open!"
Ask: "Do you see the Client ID and Client Secret?"
Step 7: Configure gcalcli
Say: "Now run gcalcli init and paste your credentials:"
gcalcli init
Say: "It will ask for:"
- •Your Client ID - paste it
- •Your Client Secret - paste it
Then a browser window will open for you to authorize.
Ask: "Did the browser open? Log in and authorize the app."
Step 8: Test It
Say: "Let's test it! Run:"
gcalcli agenda
Ask: "Do you see your upcoming calendar events?"
Success!
Say: "You're all set! Here are some useful commands:"
gcalcli agenda # Show upcoming events gcalcli calw # Week view gcalcli calm # Month view gcalcli add # Add an event gcalcli remind # Set a reminder
Say: "You can also ask me things like 'what's on my calendar today?' and I can use gcalcli to check."
Troubleshooting
"Invalid client" error
- •Double-check the Client ID and Secret were copied correctly
- •Make sure you added yourself as a Test User
Browser didn't open
- •Run
gcalcli initagain - •Or manually visit the URL it prints
Token expired
rm ~/.gcalcli_oauth gcalcli init
Then re-authenticate.