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MCP Google Apps Script (GAS) Server

by whichguy

MCP Google Apps Script Server

GitHub stars npm version License: MIT Node.js Version TypeScript MCP Protocol

πŸ€– + πŸ“ = ⚑

Let AI assistants build and manage Google Apps Script projects for you

πŸš€ Quick Start β€’ πŸ’‘ Use Cases β€’ πŸ› οΈ Features β€’ πŸ“š Docs


🎯 Why MCP GAS Server?

The Problem

Google Apps Script is powerful for automating Google Workspace, but developing GAS projects traditionally requires:

  • Switching between local development and the online editor

  • Manual copy-pasting of code

  • No proper module system or version control

  • Limited tooling for testing and deployment

The Solution

MCP GAS Server bridges AI assistants with Google Apps Script, enabling:

  • AI-Driven Development: Tell Claude/Cursor what to build, and it handles the implementation

  • Full CommonJS Modules: require(), module.exports, automatic dependency resolution - write GAS like Node.js

  • Ad-hoc Execution: Run any JavaScript expression instantly - no deployment, no wrapper functions needed

  • Production Deployment Pipeline: dev β†’ staging β†’ prod workflow with version control, promotion, and rollback

  • Unix-inspired Interface: Familiar commands (cat, grep, ls, find, sed) for intuitive GAS project management

  • Local Development: Write code locally with full IDE support

  • Automatic Sync: Bidirectional sync between local files and Google's cloud

  • Git Integration: Version control for your GAS projects with safe merging

Who Is This For?

  • Developers who want AI to handle Google Apps Script boilerplate

  • Teams automating Google Workspace workflows

  • Non-programmers who need custom Google Sheets functions or automation

  • Anyone tired of the limitations of Google's online script editor

πŸ’‘ Use Cases

What You Can Build

  • πŸ“Š Custom Spreadsheet Functions: Complex calculations, data processing, API integrations

  • πŸ“§ Email Automation: Process Gmail, send bulk emails, manage drafts

  • πŸ“… Calendar Management: Schedule events, sync calendars, automate meeting creation

  • πŸ—‚οΈ Drive Automation: File organization, backup systems, document generation

  • πŸ“ Document Processing: Generate reports, merge documents, extract data

  • πŸ”— API Integrations: Connect Google Workspace to external services

  • πŸ€– Chatbots & Add-ons: Build custom tools for Sheets, Docs, and Forms

Real Examples

// Tell your AI: "Create a function that fetches stock prices and updates my spreadsheet"
// AI will create, deploy, and test the entire solution

// Tell your AI: "Build an expense tracker that categorizes Gmail receipts"
// AI handles OAuth, Gmail API, and spreadsheet integration

// Tell your AI: "Make a custom menu in Sheets for data analysis tools"
// AI creates the UI, functions, and deploys everything

πŸš€ Quick Start

⚑ 30-Second Installation

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/whichguy/mcp_gas/main/install.sh | bash -s -- --auto

This single command: downloads β†’ installs dependencies β†’ builds β†’ configures all IDEs

β€” OR β€”

πŸ”§ Manual Installation

git clone https://github.com/whichguy/mcp_gas.git && cd mcp_gas && ./install.sh

Clone first, then run installer with more control

Prerequisites

Requirement

Why Needed

How to Get

Auto-Checked?

Git

Clones repository

Download

βœ… Yes

Node.js 18+

Runs the MCP server

Download

βœ… Yes

Google Account

Access Google Apps Script

Create free

❌ Manual

AI Assistant

Sends commands to server

Claude, Cursor

βœ… Detected

🎯 First Project in 2 Minutes

Install (if not already done)

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/whichguy/mcp_gas/main/install.sh | bash

Tell your AI assistant:

"Create a Google Apps Script project that adds a custom menu to Google Sheets with options to highlight duplicate values and remove empty rows"

AI handles everything:

  • βœ… Creates the project

  • βœ… Writes the code

  • βœ… Sets up the menu

  • βœ… Deploys to Google

  • βœ… Tests the functionality

βš™οΈ Installation Details

What the Installer Does

The install.sh script handles everything automatically:

  1. πŸ”„ Downloads Repository (if using curl)

  2. πŸ“¦ Installs Dependencies (npm install)

  3. πŸ”¨ Builds Project (npm run build)

  4. πŸ” Detects Your IDEs (checks for 10+ IDEs)

  5. βš™οΈ Configures Each IDE (updates MCP settings)

  6. πŸ”— Links to (production build)

Features:

  • βœ… Idempotent - Safe to run multiple times

  • πŸ’Ύ Creates Backups - Before any modifications

  • πŸ” Checks OAuth - Guides you through Google setup

Command-line Options

./install.sh --dry-run       # Preview changes without making them
./install.sh --interactive   # Choose which IDEs to configure
./install.sh --auto          # Non-interactive mode (for CI/CD)
./install.sh --force         # Update existing configurations
./install.sh --help          # Show detailed usage

Manual Build (Advanced)

If the installer fails or you need custom setup:

# 1. Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/whichguy/mcp_gas.git
cd mcp_gas

# 2. Install dependencies
npm install

# 3. Build the project
npm run build

# 4. Configure your IDE manually
# Point to: /absolute/path/to/mcp_gas/dist/src/index.js

Note: The server binary is at dist/src/index.js after building, not in the source directory.

Uninstallation

# Remove MCP GAS from all IDEs
./uninstall.sh

# With cleanup options:
./uninstall.sh --cleanup-build      # Also remove dist/ and node_modules/
./uninstall.sh --cleanup-backups    # Remove all backup files
./uninstall.sh --dry-run           # Preview what would be removed

πŸ“‹ Google Cloud Setup

One-Time Configuration

  1. Enable Google Apps Script API:

    • Visit Google Cloud Console

    • Create or select a project

    • Search for "Google Apps Script API" and enable it

  2. Create OAuth 2.0 Credentials:

    • Navigate to APIs & Services β†’ Credentials

    • Click "Create Credentials" β†’ "OAuth client ID"

    • Application type: Desktop app

    • Download JSON and save as oauth-config.json in project root

πŸ–₯️ Supported IDEs

The MCP GAS Server works with any MCP-compatible client:

IDE/Editor

Platform Support

Configuration File

Notes

Claude Desktop

macOS, Windows

claude_desktop_config.json

Official Anthropic desktop app

Claude Code

macOS, Linux

~/.claude/settings.json

Claude's code editor

Cursor IDE

All platforms

~/.cursor/mcp.json

AI-powered IDE

VS Code

All platforms

mcp.json in globalStorage

Microsoft's editor

VS Code Insiders

All platforms

mcp.json in globalStorage

Preview version

VSCodium

All platforms

mcp.json in globalStorage

Open-source VS Code

Zed Editor

macOS, Linux

~/.config/zed/settings.json

Uses context_servers key

Windsurf IDE

All platforms

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json

Codeium's AI IDE

Neovim MCPHub

All platforms

~/.config/mcphub/servers.json

Neovim plugin

Codex CLI

All platforms

~/.codex/config.toml

Uses TOML format

Claude Desktop

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gas": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/mcp_gas/dist/src/index.js"],
      "env": {"NODE_ENV": "production"}
    }
  }
}

VS Code

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gas": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/mcp_gas/dist/src/index.js"],
      "env": {"NODE_ENV": "production"}
    }
  }
}

Zed Editor (uses context_servers)

{
  "context_servers": {
    "gas": {
      "command": {
        "path": "node",
        "args": ["/absolute/path/to/mcp_gas/dist/src/index.js"]
      }
    }
  }
}

Codex CLI (uses TOML)

[mcp_servers.gas]
command = "node"
args = ["/absolute/path/to/mcp_gas/dist/src/index.js"]

[[mcp_servers.gas.env]]
NODE_ENV = "production"

πŸ“¦ What's Included

πŸ› οΈ 50 Specialized Tools

πŸ“ File Management

  • ls - List files

  • cat - Read files

  • write - Write files

  • rm - Delete files

  • mv - Move files

  • cp - Copy files

  • mkdir - Create folders

πŸ” Search & Edit

  • grep - Search text

  • find - Find files

  • ripgrep - Fast search

  • sed - Find & replace

⚑ Execution

  • run - Run code

  • exec - Execute functions

πŸ”€ Git Integration

  • rsync - Stateless sync (pull/push with dryrun)

  • git_feature - Feature branch management

  • config - Manage sync folder

πŸš€ Deployment

  • deploy - Unified deployment management (promote/rollback/status/reset)

πŸ“‹ Projects

  • project_create - New project

  • project_set - Set current

  • project_list - List all

Smart vs Raw Tools

  • Smart tools (cat, write): Automatically handle CommonJS module wrapping

  • Raw tools (raw_cat, raw_write): Preserve exact file content

  • Choose based on whether you want automatic module management or full control

πŸŽ“ When to Use MCP GAS Server

βœ… Perfect For

  • Automation Projects: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Sheets automation

  • Custom Functions: Complex spreadsheet formulas and data processing

  • API Integrations: Connecting Google Workspace to external services

  • Rapid Prototyping: Quick proof-of-concepts and MVPs

  • Learning GAS: Let AI teach by example

❌ Not Ideal For

  • Large Applications: Consider App Engine or Cloud Functions for complex apps

  • Real-time Systems: GAS has execution time limits (6 minutes)

  • Heavy Computing: Limited CPU/memory compared to dedicated servers

  • Sensitive Data: Evaluate security requirements carefully

πŸ› οΈ Advanced Features

Git Workflow Integration

// Set up .git/config breadcrumb file first
mcp__gas__write({
  scriptId: "...",
  path: ".git/config",
  content: JSON.stringify({ repository: "https://github.com/...", localPath: "~/my-project" })
})

// Stateless sync: preview then apply
mcp__gas__rsync({ operation: "pull", scriptId: "...", dryrun: true })
mcp__gas__rsync({ operation: "pull", scriptId: "..." })

// Standard git workflow works in sync folder
cd ~/gas-repos/project-xxx
git add . && git commit -m "Update" && git push

Module System

// Write modular code with CommonJS
const utils = require('./utils');
const api = require('./api/client');

function processData() {
  const data = api.fetchData();
  return utils.transform(data);
}

module.exports = { processData };

First Project Example

// Tell your AI assistant:
"Create a Google Apps Script project that calculates Fibonacci numbers"

// The AI will execute:
// 1. Authenticate
await mcp__gas__auth({ mode: "start" });

// 2. Create project
const project = await mcp__gas__project_create({ 
  title: "Fibonacci Calculator" 
});

// 3. Add code
await mcp__gas__write({
  scriptId: project.scriptId,
  path: "fibonacci",
  content: `
    function fibonacci(n) {
      if (n <= 1) return n;
      return fibonacci(n - 1) + fibonacci(n - 2);
    }
    
    function test() {
      Logger.log(fibonacci(10)); // 55
    }
    
    module.exports = { fibonacci };
  `
});

// 4. Execute
const result = await mcp__gas__run({
  scriptId: project.scriptId,
  js_statement: "require('fibonacci').fibonacci(10)"
});
// Returns: 55

πŸ“š Quick Command Reference

Filesystem Operations (Unix-inspired)

// Read file contents (auto-unwraps CommonJS)
mcp__gas__cat({ scriptId: "...", path: "utils/helper" })

// List files matching pattern
mcp__gas__ls({ scriptId: "...", path: "utils/*" })

// ⚑ RECOMMENDED: High-performance multi-pattern search with ripgrep
mcp__gas__ripgrep({
  scriptId: "...",
  pattern: "function.*test",
  ignoreCase: true,
  context: 2
})

// Simple grep (use ripgrep for advanced searches)
mcp__gas__grep({ scriptId: "...", pattern: "function.*test", outputMode: "content" })

// Find files by name pattern
mcp__gas__find({ scriptId: "...", name: "*.test" })

// Find/replace with regex
mcp__gas__sed({
  scriptId: "...",
  pattern: "console\\.log",
  replacement: "Logger.log"
})

// ⚑ Advanced ripgrep features (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED over grep)
mcp__gas__ripgrep({
  scriptId: "...",
  pattern: "TODO|FIXME|HACK",  // Multi-pattern OR search
  ignoreCase: true,             // Case-insensitive
  sort: "path",                 // Alphabetical sorting
  trim: true,                   // Clean whitespace
  context: 2,                   // Show 2 lines of context
  showStats: true               // Performance statistics
})

Ad-hoc Code Execution

// Execute mathematical expressions
mcp__gas__run({ scriptId: "...", js_statement: "Math.PI * 2" })

// Call Google Apps Script services
mcp__gas__run({
  scriptId: "...",
  js_statement: "DriveApp.getRootFolder().getName()"
})

// Execute project functions with CommonJS
mcp__gas__run({
  scriptId: "...",
  js_statement: "require('Calculator').fibonacci(10)"
})

// Complex data operations
mcp__gas__run({
  scriptId: "...",
  js_statement: `
    const data = require('API').fetchData();
    const sheet = SpreadsheetApp.create('Report');
    sheet.getActiveSheet().getRange(1,1,data.length,3).setValues(data);
    return sheet.getId();
  `
})

CommonJS Module Development

// Write module with automatic CommonJS wrapping
mcp__gas__write({
  scriptId: "...",
  path: "Calculator",
  content: `
    function add(a, b) { return a + b; }
    function multiply(a, b) { return a * b; }
    module.exports = { add, multiply };
  `
})

// Use require() in other modules - automatic dependency resolution
mcp__gas__write({
  scriptId: "...",
  path: "Main",
  content: `
    const calc = require('Calculator');
    const result = calc.add(5, calc.multiply(2, 3));
    Logger.log(result);  // Logs: 11
  `
})

// Read shows clean user code (CommonJS wrapper removed)
mcp__gas__cat({ scriptId: "...", path: "Calculator" })
// Returns user code without _main() wrapper

Git Integration

// Create .git/config breadcrumb file
mcp__gas__write({
  scriptId: "...",
  path: ".git/config",
  content: JSON.stringify({
    repository: "https://github.com/owner/repo.git",
    localPath: "~/my-projects/gas-app"
  })
})

// Stateless sync: preview then apply
mcp__gas__rsync({ operation: "pull", scriptId: "...", dryrun: true })
mcp__gas__rsync({ operation: "pull", scriptId: "..." })

// Manage sync folder configuration
mcp__gas__config({
  operation: "set",
  setting: "sync_folder",
  scriptId: "...",
  value: "~/my-projects/gas-app"
})

πŸ”§ Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Problem

Solution

"Not authenticated"

Run mcp__gas__auth({ mode: "start" }) in your AI assistant

"Script not found"

Check scriptId in gas-config.json

"Module not found"

Ensure proper require() paths and file exists

"Quota exceeded"

Wait or upgrade Google Cloud quotas

"Permission denied"

Check OAuth scopes and project permissions

Debug Mode

# Enable debug logging
DEBUG=mcp:* npm start

# Test installation without changes
./install.sh --dry-run

# Check configuration
cat ~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json | jq '.mcpServers.gas'

πŸ“‚ Project Structure

mcp_gas/
β”œβ”€β”€ src/                     # TypeScript source code
β”‚   β”œβ”€β”€ tools/              # ~50 MCP tools
β”‚   β”œβ”€β”€ auth/               # OAuth authentication
β”‚   β”œβ”€β”€ api/                # Google Apps Script API client
β”‚   └── server/             # MCP server implementation
β”œβ”€β”€ dist/                    # Compiled JavaScript (after build)
β”œβ”€β”€ test/                    # Test suites
β”œβ”€β”€ docs/                    # Documentation
β”œβ”€β”€ install.sh              # Automated installer
β”œβ”€β”€ uninstall.sh            # Clean uninstaller
β”œβ”€β”€ gas-config.json         # Project configuration
└── oauth-config.json       # OAuth credentials (create this)

πŸ§ͺ Development

Setup

# Clone and install
git clone https://github.com/whichguy/mcp_gas.git
cd mcp_gas
npm install

# Development mode with watch
npm run dev

# Build for production
npm run build

Testing

npm test                    # Run all tests
npm run test:unit          # Unit tests only
npm run test:integration   # Integration tests (requires auth)
npm run test:system        # System-level tests
npm run test:security      # Security validation

Architecture

The MCP GAS Server uses a layered architecture:

  1. MCP Protocol Layer: Handles communication with AI assistants

  2. Tool Layer: ~50 specialized tools for GAS operations

  3. Authentication Layer: OAuth 2.0 PKCE flow with token management

  4. API Client Layer: Google Apps Script API v1 client with rate limiting

  5. File System Layer: Local caching and synchronization

πŸ“š Documentation

Complete Tool Reference

  • docs/REFERENCE.md - Complete reference for all 63 tools with capabilities, limitations, and compatibility matrix

Developer Guides

Enhanced Tool Schemas

All tools now include:

  • Script Type Compatibility - Clear indication of standalone vs container-bound support

  • Limitations - Specific constraints, quotas, and API restrictions

  • Cross-Tool References - Prerequisites, next steps, alternatives, and error recovery guidance

  • ⚑ Search Tool Preference - ripgrep is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED over grep for all searches (multi-pattern, smart case, context control, better performance)

🀝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

πŸ“„ License

MIT - See LICENSE for details.

πŸ™ Acknowledgments

Built on:


🌟 Ready to supercharge your Google Apps Script development?

Made with ❀️ by the MCP GAS community

-
security - not tested
A
license - permissive license
-
quality - not tested

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