NotebookLM MCP for Claude (Desktop & CLI)

A powerful MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that brings Google NotebookLM into Claude Desktop and Claude Code.

Features

• Research: List and create notebooks
• Content: Add URLs, text, and files as sources
• Generation: Create Podcasts, Videos, Slides, Mind Maps, Infographics, Quizzes, Flashcards, and Reports
• Natural Interaction: Chat directly with your sources using Claude’s reasoning

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Prerequisites

1. Install uv (Python Package Manager)

Verify installation:

uv --version

2. Clone and Install Dependencies

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/alfredang/notebooklm-mcp.git

# Navigate to the project folder
cd notebooklm-mcp

# Install dependencies (includes notebooklm-py and fastmcp)
uv sync

This will:

• Create a .venv virtual environment
• Install notebooklm-py (Python client for NotebookLM API)
• Install fastmcp (MCP server framework)

Note: These dependencies are required for both Claude Desktop and Claude Code.

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Step 1: Authenticate with NotebookLM

NotebookLM uses browser-based authentication. You must login once to save your session cookies.

cd notebooklm-mcp
uv run notebooklm login

What happens:

1. A browser window will open automatically
2. Log in to your Google account
3. Navigate to NotebookLM if not redirected automatically
4. Wait until the terminal displays “Success”
5. Close the browser

Verify authentication:

uv run python -c "
from notebooklm import NotebookLMClient
import asyncio
async def test():
    client = await NotebookLMClient.from_storage()
    async with client:
        notebooks = await client.notebooks.list()
        print(f'Authenticated! Found {len(notebooks)} notebooks.')
asyncio.run(test())
"

You should see: Authenticated! Found X notebooks.

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Step 2: Test the MCP Server

Before configuring Claude, verify the server starts correctly:

cd notebooklm-mcp
uv run python server.py

Expected output:

Starting NotebookLM MCP server...
NotebookLM client initialized successfully
Starting MCP server 'NotebookLM' with transport 'stdio'

Press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to stop the server after confirming it works.

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Step 3: Setup for Claude Desktop

3.1 Find Your Paths

You’ll need two paths for the configuration:

Find your uv path:

Find your project path:

3.2 Open the Config File

From Claude Desktop (Recommended):

1. Open Claude Desktop
2. Go to Settings (gear icon) → Developer → Edit Config
3. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default editor

Or manually:

3.3 Add the MCP Server Configuration

Important: Replace and with your actual paths from Step 3.1

3.4 Restart Claude Desktop

Look for the hammer icon in the chat input area - this indicates MCP tools are available.

3.5 Verify Connection

In Claude Desktop, type:

List my NotebookLM notebooks

Claude should use the list_notebooks tool and display your notebooks.

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Step 4: Setup for Claude Code (CLI)

Prerequisites: Complete Steps 1-2 first (install dependencies with uv sync and authenticate with uv run notebooklm login).

4.1 Add the MCP Server

Replace `` with your actual project path:

4.2 Verify the Server is Added

claude mcp list

You should see notebooklm in the list.

4.3 Test in Claude Code

Start a new Claude Code session:

claude

Then ask:

List my NotebookLM notebooks

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Usage Examples

Once configured, use natural language commands in Claude Desktop or Claude Code:

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Available Tools

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Troubleshooting

“Server disconnected” or “Failed to spawn process”

Cause: Claude Desktop can’t find uv because it doesn’t inherit your shell’s PATH.

Solution: Use the full absolute path to uv in the config (see Step 3.1).

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“Command not found: uv”

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MCP Server Not Appearing in Claude Desktop

Cause: Invalid JSON in config file or Claude not restarted properly.

Solution:

1. Validate your JSON at https://jsonlint.com/
2. Ensure no trailing commas in the JSON
3. Fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop

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“NotebookLM client not initialized”

Cause: Server started before authentication was complete.

Solution:

1. Run uv run notebooklm login first
2. Restart Claude Desktop or re-add the MCP server in Claude Code

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Check Claude Desktop Logs

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Remove and Re-add MCP Server (Claude Code)

If issues persist:

claude mcp remove notebooklm
claude mcp add notebooklm -- uv --directory  run python server.py

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Updating

To update the NotebookLM library:

cd notebooklm-mcp
uv sync --upgrade

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Project Structure

notebooklm-mcp/
├── server.py          # MCP server implementation
├── pyproject.toml     # Project dependencies
├── README.md          # This file
├── SKILL.md           # Claude Code skill definition
└── .venv/             # Virtual environment (auto-created)

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License

MIT License