Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Create Google Doc from Template agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
This guide explains the recipe-create-doc-from-template agent skill, a short set of instructions that lets an AI agent copy a Google Docs template, add text to the new copy and give a collaborator edit access. It is written for readers who have not used agent skills before. By the end you will know what the skill does, how to install it, how to phrase a request so the agent uses it, and what to check before it shares anything.
Create Google Doc from Templategoogleworkspace/cli · Apache-2.0 Download the skill Quick start
- 1Install the gws tool. Install the gws command-line tool (Google Workspace CLI) so the agent can run its commands.
- 2Install the dependent skills. Make sure the gws-drive and gws-docs skills are also available, since this recipe loads them.
- 3Install this skill. Download the ZIP and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ or a project's .claude/skills/ folder, or upload it under Settings → Capabilities → Skills in the Claude apps.
- 4Gather the details. Note the template's document ID, the title for the new doc, the content to add and the collaborator's exact email address.
- 5Make a natural request. Describe the outcome in plain language, including the template, title, content and recipient.
- 6Check the recipient. Before the sharing step runs, confirm the email address is correct, since it receives writer access.
- 7Verify the result. Open the new document in Google Drive to confirm the content and sharing settings.
What the Create Google Doc from Template skill does
When this skill is installed, the agent can make a new Google Doc from an existing template, put text into it, and share it with a collaborator. The agent does this by running the gws command-line tool through a sequence of steps written in the skill file, so you do not need to remember the exact commands yourself.
The skill is a short recipe. It depends on two other skills, gws-drive and gws-docs, which supply the detailed know-how for Google Drive and Google Docs. Both must be loaded for the recipe to run.
- Step 1: copy the template file in Drive.
- Step 2: read the new document ID from the response.
- Step 3: add content to the new document.
- Step 4: give a collaborator writer access by email address.
Install the skill
The skill is distributed as a ZIP file from the directory page. You can install it in one of two ways.
For Claude Code, download the ZIP, then unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ to make it available in all your projects, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder to limit it to that project.
In the Claude apps, upload the ZIP under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
The skill also needs the gws command-line tool (Google Workspace CLI) and the gws-drive and gws-docs skills installed alongside it.
Trigger the skill with a natural request
You do not need to name the skill or type commands. Describe the outcome you want in plain language, mentioning the template, the new document's title, the content and the person to share with. The agent will choose this recipe when the request matches its description of copying a template, filling in content and sharing.
Include the real details. The agent needs the template's document ID, the title for the copy, and the exact email address of the collaborator. If any of these are missing, the agent may ask you for them.
- Make a new Project Brief - Q2 Launch doc from template TEMPLATE_DOC_ID, add a short objective section, and give team@company.com edit access.
- Copy our meeting notes template into a new doc titled Weekly Sync 14 May and share it with alex@company.com as a writer.
What the skill runs under the hood
The skill file lists these gws commands. You can read them to see exactly what will happen before the agent runs them.
The copy step uses drive files copy with the template's fileId and a new name. The content step uses docs +write with the new document ID and the text. The sharing step uses drive permissions create to grant a user the writer role on the new file.
gws drive files copy --params '{"fileId": "TEMPLATE_DOC_ID"}' --json '{"name": "Project Brief - Q2 Launch"}'
gws docs +write --document-id NEW_DOC_ID --text '## Project: Q2 Launch'
gws drive permissions create --params '{"fileId": "NEW_DOC_ID"}' --json '{"role": "writer", "type": "user", "emailAddress": "team@company.com"}'Safety notes before you run it
This skill runs scripts and uses the network. Every step calls Google's online services, so it will not work offline. It also needs a Google account that can access the template and has permission to share files.
The sharing step grants writer (edit) access to the address written in the recipe. Check the email address before the agent runs the step. A wrong address gives that person edit rights to the document.
- Confirm the recipient email address every time.
- Confirm the template ID points to the file you intend to copy.
- Review the commands in the skill file if you are unsure what will run.
Tips for reliable results
Keep the template clean, because the copy carries over everything in it. Give the new document a clear title so it is easy to find in Drive. If you create documents from the same template often, put the template ID and standard collaborator list in your request so the agent does not have to guess.
- Use a dedicated template folder in Drive for documents you copy repeatedly.
- Check the shared document after the agent finishes to confirm the permission was applied.
What people use it for
- Creating a project brief from a standard template and sharing it with the project team in one request.
- Starting a weekly meeting notes doc from a template and giving a colleague edit access.
- Setting up a repeated report with a fixed structure and filling in the first section automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the Create Google Doc from Template agent skill?
Download the ZIP from the skill page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project. In the Claude apps, upload the ZIP under Settings → Capabilities → Skills. You also need the gws tool and the gws-drive and gws-docs skills.
What are the requirements for this skill?
You need the gws command-line tool (Google Workspace CLI), the gws-drive and gws-docs skills, and a Google account that can access the template and share files. The skill uses the network, so it needs an internet connection.
Is this skill free to use?
The skill is released under the Apache-2.0 licence. The source does not state any price, so check the project's own terms for anything beyond the licence.
Can the agent edit Google Docs offline?
No. Every step calls Google's online services, so the skill needs an internet connection and cannot edit documents offline.
Why did the sharing step send access to the wrong person?
The recipe grants writer access to the email address written in the skill file, so the address must be correct before the step runs. Check the recipient in your request and the skill file, and correct it before running the skill again.
What are the alternatives to this skill?
You can create and share a copy of a template yourself in Google Drive, or run the gws commands directly. The skill's advantage is that the agent chains the steps for you. The source does not compare it with other tools.
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Our verdict
This skill suits teams that create repeated documents from a standard template and already use the gws Google Workspace CLI. It is less suitable if you lack a Google Workspace account or gws, need offline editing, or cannot verify recipient addresses before sharing. Anyone who wants to share sensitive documents should check each address first.
Download the skill