What is GWS?
GWS is Google's official CLI tool for all Google Workspace APIs. Built in Rust with a built-in MCP server mode, it dynamically reads Google's Discovery Service at runtime — meaning it automatically picks up new API endpoints when Google adds them. No SDK updates needed. 100+ pre-built agent skills, structured JSON output, and multi-auth support.
Answer-Ready: GWS is Google's official CLI for all Workspace APIs with built-in MCP server. Covers Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Chat, and 10+ services. Dynamic API discovery, 100+ agent skills, Rust performance. 24k+ GitHub stars.
Best for: AI agents needing Google Workspace access. Works with: Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Cursor. Setup time: Under 5 minutes.
Core Features
1. Dynamic API Surface
GWS reads Google's Discovery Service at runtime. When Google adds new APIs or endpoints, GWS picks them up automatically — zero manual updates.
2. Supported Services
| Service | Examples |
|---|---|
| Gmail | Search, send, label, draft |
| Drive | List, upload, download, share |
| Calendar | Events, agenda, create, update |
| Docs | Create, read, edit |
| Sheets | Read, write, create |
| Chat | Send messages, manage spaces |
| Admin | User management, groups |
| Tasks | Create, list, complete |
| Forms | Create, read responses |
| Slides | Create, edit presentations |
| People/Contacts | Search, create contacts |
3. Agent Skills (100+)
# Pre-built helper commands
gws gmail +send --to user@example.com --subject "Report" --body "See attached"
gws calendar +agenda --days 7
gws drive +search "quarterly report"4. MCP Server Configuration
# Lightweight (~15-30 tools)
gws mcp -s drive,gmail
# Balanced (~30-60 tools)
gws mcp -s drive,gmail,calendar
# Comprehensive (~60-100 tools)
gws mcp -s drive,gmail,calendar,sheets,docs
# With helper shortcuts
gws mcp -s gmail,calendar -e5. Multi-Auth
| Method | Use Case |
|---|---|
| OAuth | Personal/user access |
| Service Account | Server-to-server |
| Pre-obtained Token | CI/CD pipelines |
6. Security
- Model Armor integration for prompt injection defense
- Dry-run mode for testing
- Scoped OAuth permissions
Installation Options
# npm (recommended)
npm install -g @googleworkspace/cli
# Homebrew
brew install googleworkspace-cli
# Cargo (from source)
cargo install --git https://github.com/googleworkspace/cli --lockedFAQ
Q: Is this an official Google product? A: Published by Google under the googleworkspace org. Note: labeled as not an officially supported Google product, but actively maintained by Google engineers.
Q: How many tools does the MCP server expose? A: Each service exposes 10-80 tools. Most MCP clients cap at 50-100 total, so keep the service list focused.
Q: Does it work with Gemini CLI? A: Yes, Gemini CLI has first-class support since both are Google products.