notebooklm
Use Google NotebookLM to create AI notebooks, generate slides, audio overviews, quizzes, flashcards, and other outputs from sources. Use when user wants to create presentations, study materials, summaries, or analyze documents with NotebookLM.
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill automates the use of Google NotebookLM to transform diverse sources—including PDFs, websites, and YouTube videos—into organized AI notebooks. It empowers users to instantly generate structured summaries, audio overviews, professional slide decks, and interactive study tools like quizzes and flashcards, significantly streamlining the research and learning workflow.
Use Cases
- Academic Exam Prep: Convert complex research papers, lecture transcripts, and textbooks into interactive flashcards and practice quizzes for efficient studying.
- Professional Presentations: Rapidly transform project documentation or market research into structured slide decks and infographics using the Studio panel.
- Multimodal Content Consumption: Generate engaging, podcast-style 'Audio Overviews' from long-form articles or YouTube videos for eyes-free learning and quick synthesis.
- Knowledge Management: Centralize disparate information from Google Drive, public URLs, and manual notes into a searchable, AI-powered knowledge base for deep document analysis.
| name | notebooklm |
|---|---|
| description | Use Google NotebookLM to create AI notebooks, generate slides, audio overviews, quizzes, flashcards, and other outputs from sources. Use when user wants to create presentations, study materials, summaries, or analyze documents with NotebookLM. |
| allowed-tools | mcp__claude-in-chrome__* |
Google NotebookLM
Browser automation for Google NotebookLM at notebooklm.google.com.
Overview
NotebookLM creates AI-powered notebooks from your sources, then generates various outputs (slides, audio, quizzes, etc.) using the Studio panel.
Creating a Notebook
- Navigate to
notebooklm.google.com - Click "+ Create notebook" (top bar)
- Add sources in the dialog
Source Types
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Google Drive | Docs, Slides, PDFs, Sheets |
| Website | Any public URL |
| YouTube | Videos with transcripts |
| Copied text | Paste content directly |
| Web search | Search and add from results |
Adding Sources
From "+ Add sources" button:
- Select source type
- For copied text: paste content → click "Insert"
- For URLs: enter link → click "Insert"
- For Drive: browse and select files
From Gemini (recommended for research):
- Use
geminiskill with Deep Think for research - Copy response using native button
- In NotebookLM: Add sources → Copied text → Paste → Insert
Deep Research Integration:
- Banner: "Try Deep Research for an in-depth report and new sources!"
- Search bar: "Search the web for new sources"
- Options: Web dropdown, Fast research toggle
Studio Panel
Right panel with generation options. Each has edit (pencil) icon for customization.
| Feature | Output |
|---|---|
| Audio Overview | Podcast-style AI discussion |
| Video Overview | Video summary |
| Mind Map | Visual concept diagram |
| Reports | Structured documents |
| Flashcards | Study cards |
| Quiz | Test questions |
| Infographic | Visual representation |
| Slide deck | Presentation slides |
| Data table | Structured data extraction |
Customizing Outputs
- Click pencil/edit icon next to feature name
- Adjust settings in dialog
- Click Generate
Slide Deck Options:
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| Format | Detailed deck / Presenter slides |
| Language | Target language |
| Length | Short / Default / Long |
| Description | Custom instructions |
Example customization:
- Length: Short
- Description: "For lay audience, simple non-technical language"
Chat Interface
Middle panel features:
- Auto-generated summary of sources
- Chat input for questions
- Source selector (bottom of input)
- "Save to note" button
- Copy, like, dislike buttons
Asking questions:
- Type in "Start typing..." field
- Select which sources to use (shows "X sources")
- Press Enter or click send
Notes
- "+ Add note" button (bottom-right of Studio)
- Save important responses as notes
- Notes appear in Studio panel history
Top Bar Features
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| + Create notebook | New notebook |
| Analytics | Usage statistics |
| Share | Share notebook |
| Settings | Notebook settings |
Workflow: Gemini to NotebookLM
For research-to-presentation workflows:
1. [Gemini] Use Deep Think + Pro for research (see gemini skill)
2. [Gemini] Copy response using native button
3. [NotebookLM] Navigate to notebooklm.google.com
4. [NotebookLM] + Create notebook
5. [NotebookLM] Add sources → Copied text → Paste → Insert
6. [NotebookLM] Wait for summary generation
7. [Studio] Click desired output (e.g., Slide deck)
8. [Studio] Click pencil icon → customize → Generate
Tips
- Multiple sources can be combined in one notebook
- Select specific sources when chatting for focused answers
- Generated items appear in Studio panel history
- Audio Overview creates engaging podcast-style summaries
- Use Quiz + Flashcards together for study materials
- Mind Map helps visualize complex topic relationships
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Generation takes long | Normal - continue other work |
| Wrong content pasted | Clipboard overwritten; recopy from source |
| Studio panel missing | Click on notebook with sources; appears on right |
| Can't customize | Click pencil/edit icon next to feature name |
| Source not processing | Check file format is supported |