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io.github.gigabrain-observer/google-docs-mcp-server

Google Docs MCP server with full tab support, markdown extraction, and batch updates.

Developer ToolsPythonv0.1.1

Google Docs MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol server for Google Docs with full tab support — something most existing servers get wrong or skip entirely.

Uses Google service accounts with domain-wide delegation, so it works in Workspace orgs without OAuth consent screens.

What it does

ToolDescription
list_tabsList all tabs (including nested) in a document
read_documentRead one tab or all tabs as markdown with proper heading levels
get_document_infoLightweight metadata: title, ID, link, tab list
create_documentCreate a new doc with optional initial text
append_textAppend text to the end of a specific tab
insert_textInsert text at a character index in a tab
replace_textFind and replace within a tab (or whole doc)
batch_updateFull batchUpdate access — formatting, tables, images, styles
list_documentsSearch Drive for docs by name

All tab-targeting tools accept tab_id or tab_title (case-insensitive). The batch_update tool auto-injects tabId into requests so you don't have to.

Why this exists

Google Docs has supported tabs since late 2024, but most MCP servers either:

  • Ignore tabs entirely (only read the first tab)
  • Don't use includeTabsContent=True, so tab content is invisible
  • Don't handle nested tabs

This server handles all of that correctly and converts content to markdown with proper heading structure.

Install

pip install google-docs-mcp-server

Or run directly with uv:

uvx google-docs-mcp-server

Prerequisites

  • Python 3.11+
  • A Google Cloud service account with domain-wide delegation

Setup

1. Create a GCP service account

  1. Go to Google Cloud Console and create (or select) a project
  2. Enable the Google Docs API and Google Drive API
  3. Create a service account under IAM & Admin > Service Accounts
  4. Create a JSON key and download it

2. Enable domain-wide delegation

  1. In GCP, on the service account details page, enable Domain-wide Delegation and note the Client ID
  2. In Google Workspace Admin > Security > API Controls > Domain-wide Delegation
  3. Add the Client ID with these scopes:
    https://www.googleapis.com/auth/documents
    https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.readonly
    

3. Configure your MCP client

Add to your MCP config (e.g. ~/.claude/mcp.json or .mcp.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-docs": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["google-docs-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SERVICE_ACCOUNT_PATH": "/path/to/your-service-account-key.json",
        "SUBJECT_EMAIL": "you@yourdomain.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

SUBJECT_EMAIL is the Workspace user the service account impersonates.

Environment variables

VariableRequiredDescription
SERVICE_ACCOUNT_PATHYesPath to the service account JSON key file
SUBJECT_EMAILYesEmail of the Workspace user to impersonate

License

MIT

Installation

Source-derived launch command. Check the maintainer’s required arguments and credentials before running:

bash
uvx google-docs-mcp-server

Set up in your AI client

Merge this template into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Keep existing servers. Add any arguments, credentials, and permissions required by the maintainer; this template has not been install-tested.

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-github-gigabrain-observer-google-docs-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "google-docs-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect. Confirm the server appears connected in the client’s tool list, then try a read-only example from its documentation.

Claude Desktop setup reference

Package

google-docs-mcp-serverpypi

Compatible MCP Clients

io.github.gigabrain-observer/google-docs-mcp-server works with any MCP-compatible client. Copy the config snippet from the Configuration section above and add it to the file shown for your client, then restart the application.

  • Claude Desktop~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonRestart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect.
  • Cursor~/.cursor/mcp.jsonRestart Cursor for changes to take effect.
  • VS Code.vscode/mcp.jsonReload VS Code window for changes to take effect.
  • Windsurf~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.jsonRestart Windsurf for changes to take effect.
  • Claude Code.mcp.jsonSave at the project root, then start Claude Code in that project and review the MCP server approval prompt. Keep real credentials out of shared files.

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