Googledocs Automation

When to use this skill

Use Googledocs Automation when an AI agent needs a reusable SKILL.md workflow for this job: Automate Google Docs tasks via Rube MCP (Composio): create, edit, search, export, copy, and update documents. Always search tools first for current schemas.

When not to use it

Skip Googledocs Automation when the task is outside the productivity category, or when a more specific skill in this directory already covers the same workflow with clearer triggers.

How to install

1. Personal install: create ~/.claude/skills/googledocs-automation/SKILL.md (and any bundled scripts) so Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and compatible agents can load it in every project.
2. Project install: commit the same folder at .claude/skills/googledocs-automation/ so teammates get the skill with the repo.
3. Restart the agent session after copying files so it re-scans the skills directory, then ask for the task in words that match the skill description.

Full install guide for Claude, Cursor, and Codex

What this skill does

# Google Docs Automation via Rube MCP

Create, edit, search, export, and manage Google Docs documents programmatically using Rube MCP (Composio).

**Toolkit docs**: [composio.dev/toolkits/googledocs](https://composio.dev/toolkits/googledocs)

## Prerequisites - Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available) - Active connection via `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `googledocs` - Always call `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` first to get current tool schemas

## Setup **Get Rube MCP**: Add `https://rube.app/mcp` as an MCP server in your client configuration. No API keys needed — just add the endpoint and it works.

1. Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` responds 2. Call `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `googledocs` 3. If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete setup 4. Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows

## Core Workflows

### 1. Create a New Document Use `GOOGLEDOCS_CREATE_DOCUMENT` to create a new Google Doc with a title and initial text content. ``` Tool: GOOGLEDOCS_CREATE_DOCUMENT Parameters: - title (required): Document filename/title - text (required): Initial text content to insert into the document ```

### 2. Search for Documents Use `GOOGLEDOCS_SEARCH_DOCUMENTS` to find Google Docs by name, content, date, or sharing status. ``` Tool: GOOGLEDOCS_SEARCH_DOCUMENTS Parameters: - query: Search query string - max_results: Limit number of results - modified_after / created_after: Filter by date - shared_with_me: Filter shared documents - starred_only: Filter starred documents - include_shared_drives: Search shared drives - order_by: Sort results - page_token: Pagination token ```

### 3. Update Document Content with Markdown Use `GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_DOCUMENT_MARKDOWN` to replace the entire content of a document with Markdown-formatted text. ``` Tool: GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_DOCUMENT_MARKDOWN Parameters: - id (required): Document ID - markdown (required): Markdown content to replace entire document body ```

### 4. Find and Replace Text Use `GOOGLEDOCS_REPLACE_ALL_TEXT` to replace all occurrences of a string in a document. ``` Tool: GOOGLEDOCS_REPLACE_ALL_TEXT Parameters: - document_id (required): Target document ID - find_text (required): Text to search for - replace_text (required): Replacement text - match_case: Case-sensitive matching (boolean) - search_by_regex: Use regex for find_text - tab_ids: Specific tabs to search ```

### 5. Export Document as PDF Use `GOOGLEDOCS_EXPORT_DOCUMENT_AS_PDF` to export a Google Doc to PDF format. ``` Tool: GOOGLEDOCS_EXPORT_DOCUMENT_AS_PDF Parameters: - file_id (required): Document file ID - filename: Output PDF filename ```

### 6. Copy a Document Use `GOOGLEDOCS_COPY_DOCUMENT` to duplicate an existing Google Doc. ``` Tool: GOOGLEDOCS_COPY_DOCUMENT Parameters: - document_id (required): Source document ID to copy - title: Title for the new copy - include_shared_drives: Search shared drives for the source ```

## Common Patterns

- **Search then edit**: Use `GOOGLEDOCS_SEARCH_DOCUMENTS` to find a document by name, then use the returned document ID with `GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_DOCUMENT_MARKDOWN` or `GOOGLEDOCS_REPLACE_ALL_TEXT` to modify it. - **Create from template**: Use `GOOGLEDOCS_COPY_DOCUMENT` to duplicate a template, then `GOOGLEDOCS_REPLACE_ALL_TEXT` to fill in placeholder text. - **Retrieve then update**: Use `GOOGLEDOCS_GET_DOCUMENT_BY_ID` to read current content, then apply edits with `GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_EXISTING_DOCUMENT`. - **Batch text insertion**: Use `GOOGLEDOCS_INSERT_TEXT_ACTION` to insert text at specific positions (by index) or append to the end of a document. - **Share documents**: Combine with `GOOGLEDRIVE_ADD_FILE_SHARING_PREFERENCE` (googledrive toolkit) to share documents after creation.

## Known Pitfalls

- `GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_DOCUMENT_MARKDOWN` replaces the **entire** document content -- it does not append. Use it for full rewrites only. - `GOOGLEDOCS_INSERT_TEXT_ACTION` requires a precise `insertion_index` (character position). Set `append_to_end: true` to safely add text at the end. - `GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_EXISTING_DOCUMENT` requires constructing an `editDocs` request body with raw Google Docs API batch update requests -- consult the API documentation for the correct structure. - Document IDs and file IDs are the same value for Google Docs, but parameter names differ across tools (`id`, `document_id`, `file_id`). - `GOOGLEDOCS_SEARCH_DOCUMENTS` uses Google Drive search syntax for the `query` parameter (e.g., `name contains 'report'`).

## Quick Reference | Action | Tool | Key Parameters | |--------|------|----------------| | Create document | `GOOGLEDOCS_CREATE_DOCUMENT` | `title`, `text` | | Search documents | `GOOGLEDOCS_SEARCH_DOCUMENTS` | `query`, `max_results`, `modified_after` | | Get document by ID | `GOOGLEDOCS_GET_DOCUMENT_BY_ID` | `id` | | Update with Markdown | `GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_DOCUMENT_MARKDOWN` | `id`, `markdown` | | Programmatic edits | `GOOGLEDOCS_UPDATE_EXISTING_DOCUMENT` | `document_id`, `editDocs` | | Insert text | `GOOGLEDOCS_INSERT_TEXT_ACTION` | `document_id`, `text_to_insert`, `insertion_index` | | Find and replace | `GOOGLEDOCS_REPLACE_ALL_TEXT` | `document_id`, `find_text`, `replace_text` | | Export as PDF | `GOOGLEDOCS_EXPORT_DOCUMENT_AS_PDF` | `file_id`, `filename` | | Copy document | `GOOGLEDOCS_COPY_DOCUMENT` | `document_id`, `title` |

--- *Powered by [Composio](https://composio.dev)*

Intended uses

• Use Googledocs Automation when this documented workflow matches the task.