Google Chat Skill

Overview

Automates Google Chat operations including direct messaging, space management, threaded conversations, and file sharing through browser automation.

Quick Install

curl -sSL https://canifi.com/skills/google-chat/install.sh | bash

Or manually:

cp -r skills/google-chat ~/.canifi/skills/

Setup

Configure via canifi-env:

# First, ensure canifi-env is installed:
# curl -sSL https://canifi.com/install.sh | bash

canifi-env set GOOGLE_EMAIL "your-email@example.com"
canifi-env set GOOGLE_PASSWORD "your-password"

Privacy & Authentication

Your credentials, your choice. Canifi LifeOS respects your privacy.

Option 1: Manual Browser Login (Recommended)

If you prefer not to share credentials with Claude Code:

1. Complete the Browser Automation Setup using CDP mode
2. Login to the service manually in the Playwright-controlled Chrome window
3. Claude will use your authenticated session without ever seeing your password

Option 2: Environment Variables

If you’re comfortable sharing credentials, you can store them locally:

canifi-env set SERVICE_EMAIL "your-email"
canifi-env set SERVICE_PASSWORD "your-password"

Note: Credentials stored in canifi-env are only accessible locally on your machine and are never transmitted.

Capabilities

• Send direct messages
• Create and manage spaces
• Participate in threaded conversations
• Share files from Google Drive
• Search message history
• Manage space membership
• Use smart chips and formatting
• Handle message notifications

Usage Examples

Example 1: Send Direct Message

User: "Message Sarah on Google Chat about the project deadline"
Claude: I'll send that message.
- Navigate to chat.google.com
- Find or start conversation with Sarah
- Compose message about deadline
- Send message
- Confirm delivery

Example 2: Create Space

User: "Create a Google Chat space for the Q1 Planning team"
Claude: I'll create that space.
- Click create space
- Name it "Q1 Planning"
- Add team members
- Configure space settings
- Confirm creation

Example 3: Post in Thread

User: "Reply to the budget thread in the Finance space"
Claude: I'll reply to that thread.
- Navigate to Finance space
- Find budget thread
- Compose reply
- Post in thread
- Confirm posted

Example 4: Share Drive File

User: "Share the proposal document in the Sales space"
Claude: I'll share that file.
- Open Sales space
- Click attach file
- Select from Google Drive
- Share proposal document
- Confirm shared

Authentication Flow

1. Navigate to chat.google.com via Playwright MCP
2. Sign in with Google credentials from canifi-env
3. Handle 2FA if enabled (notify user via iMessage)
4. Verify chat access
5. Maintain session cookies

Error Handling

• Login Failed: Retry Google sign-in flow
• Session Expired: Re-authenticate automatically
• 2FA Required: iMessage for verification code
• Space Not Found: Search by name
• User Not Found: Check email address format
• File Access Denied: Check Drive permissions
• Rate Limited: Implement backoff
• Workspace Restriction: Notify of organization policies

Self-Improvement Instructions

When encountering new Google Chat features:

1. Document new UI elements
2. Add support for new message types
3. Log successful space patterns
4. Update for Workspace changes

Notes

• Part of Google Workspace suite
• Spaces replace classic Hangouts rooms
• Threaded conversations optional per space
• Drive integration for file sharing
• Smart chips for @mentions and dates
• Bots can be added to spaces
• Consumer vs Workspace versions differ