Google Sheets API Skill (Advanced)

Purpose

Best fit

• - You need a repeatable CLI for automation tasks.
• You want JSON-in/JSON-out for pipelines.
• You need more than basic read/write (formatting, sheet ops, batch updates).

Not a fit

• - You must use end-user OAuth consent flows (this skill is service-account focused).
• You only need lightweight, one-off edits.

One-time setup

1. 1. Create or select a Google Cloud project.
2. Enable the Google Sheets API.
3. Create a service account and download its JSON key.
4. Share target spreadsheets with the service account email.

Install

Run

You can also use npm:
CODEBLOCK2

Credentials

• - GOOGLE_SHEETS_CREDENTIALS_JSON (inline JSON string)
• INLINECODE1 (file path)
• INLINECODE2 (file path)
• INLINECODE3 (file path)
• INLINECODE4, ./credentials.json, INLINECODE6
• INLINECODE7

Input conventions

• - JSON values can be inline or loaded from file using @path.
• Write/append expect a 2D array of values.

Example data.json:
CODEBLOCK3

Command map (high level)

• - read, write, append, clear, batchGet, INLINECODE15

Formatting:

• - format, getFormat, borders, merge, unmerge, INLINECODE21

Layout:

• - resize, autoResize, INLINECODE24

Sheets:

• - create, info, addSheet, deleteSheet, INLINECODE29

Advanced:

• - batch (raw spreadsheets.batchUpdate requests)

Operational guidance

• - Prefer read-only scope for read workflows when possible.
• Add retry with exponential backoff for 429 and transient 5xx errors.
• Keep request payloads small to avoid limit issues.

Expected output

• - JSON to stdout; non-zero exit code on errors.

Security notes

• - Never log or commit service account keys.
• Share spreadsheets only with the service account email required by this skill.