notebooklm

name	notebooklm
description	Research assistant powered by NotebookLM CLI (nlm). Add code/documents as sources to NotebookLM, run AI queries, deep research, and content generation. Triggered by keywords: 'NotebookLM', 'nlm', 'research'.

NotebookLM CLI Integration

A skill for source-based research, AI queries, and content generation via Google NotebookLM.

When to Apply

• User mentions "NotebookLM", "nlm", or asks to research with NotebookLM
• User wants to upload documents/code to NotebookLM for analysis
• User wants to ask source-based questions to NotebookLM AI
• User wants to run deep research and retrieve results
• User wants to generate content (audio, report, quiz, mind map, etc.)

Prerequisites

1. Install: cd <notebooklm-cli-project> && make install
2. Authenticate: nlm auth login (browser login) or nlm auth login --reuse (reuse Chrome cookies)
3. Verify: nlm auth status

Source Strategy (Hybrid)

Use a hybrid strategy when adding sources:

1. User-specified sources exist → Run nlm source add immediately
2. No sources specified → Explore current context for relevant files
   • Search for README, design docs, core source code via Glob/Read
   • Present candidate list to user and add after confirmation
3. Always use --wait flag → Ensure source processing completes

Core Workflows

1. Research Workflow (Source → Ask → Research)

# Step 1: Create or select a notebook
nlm notebook create "Project Research" --json
nlm notebook list --json

# Step 2: Set active notebook
nlm use <notebook-id>

# Step 3: Add sources (hybrid strategy)
# When user specifies URL/file:
nlm source add "https://example.com/article" --wait --json
nlm source add ./document.pdf --wait --json
# When not specified: explore current project and suggest relevant files

# Step 4: Ask AI questions
nlm chat ask "Summarize the key points from these sources" --json

# Step 5: Run deep research (optional)
nlm research start "In-depth analysis on the topic" --json
nlm research poll <research-id> --json
nlm research import <research-id>

2. Content Generation Workflow

# Generate content from a notebook with sources
nlm generate audio --wait --json          # Audio overview
nlm generate report --wait --json         # Report
nlm generate quiz --wait --json           # Quiz
nlm generate mind-map --wait --json       # Mind map
nlm generate video --wait --json          # Video
nlm generate infographic --wait --json    # Infographic
nlm generate slide-deck --wait --json     # Slide deck

# Add custom instructions for audio
nlm generate audio --instructions "conversational style" --wait --json

3. Note Management Workflow

nlm note list --json
nlm note create "Title" "Content" --json
nlm note update <note-id> "New Title" "New Content" --json
nlm note delete <note-id>

Command Reference

Command	Description	Key Flags
nlm auth login	Google login	--reuse
nlm auth status	Check auth status
nlm notebook list	List notebooks	--json
nlm notebook create <title>	Create notebook	--json
nlm use <id>	Set active notebook
nlm source add <url|file>	Add source	--wait, -n
nlm source list	List sources	-n, --json
nlm chat ask <question>	AI query	-n, -s, --json
nlm chat history	Chat history	-n, --json
nlm research start <query>	Start deep research	-n, --json
nlm research poll <id>	Check research progress	-n, --json
nlm generate <type>	Generate content	--wait, -n, --json
nlm note create <t> <c>	Create note	-n, --json
nlm share set <perm>	Set sharing	-n

JSON Output

Add the --json flag to any command for structured JSON output. Use this to extract IDs and chain them into subsequent commands.

# Example: Create notebook, extract ID, then add source
NB_ID=$(nlm notebook create "Research" --json | jq -r '.id')
nlm use "$NB_ID"
nlm source add "https://example.com" --wait --json

Key Flags

• --json: JSON output (essential for parsing/automation)
• --wait / -w: Wait for source processing or content generation to complete
• --notebook / -n <id>: Specify notebook (alternative to nlm use)
• --sources / -s <ids>: Reference specific sources for chat
• --verbose / -v: Verbose logging

Error Handling

Error	Cause	Resolution
no saved credentials	Not authenticated	nlm auth login --reuse
authentication expired	Token expired	nlm auth login --reuse
please specify a notebook	No active notebook set	nlm use <id> or -n flag
source processing timeout	Source processing delayed	Retry with nlm source wait <id>