Google Drive MCP Server
Search, list, and read Google Drive files directly through your AI assistant.
Data last scanned today · Reviewed yesterday
Overview
This server integrates Google Drive functionality into the Model Context Protocol, providing tools to perform full-text searches and retrieve file content. It automatically converts Google Workspace formats, transforming Docs into Markdown, Sheets into CSV, and Drawings into PNG for AI processing. Users interact with the drive by providing file IDs to the read tool. The server requires a Google Cloud project configuration to establish the necessary API connection and credential handling.
Our verdict
With a security score of 14/100, this tool is categorized as high risk and is not recommended for environments where sensitive data exposure is a concern. The high-risk rating is primarily due to the lack of an authentication method, meaning anyone with access to the configuration can interact with your files, and the absence of a read-only mode, which poses further access control risks.
- Supports automatic format conversion for Google Workspace files
- Uses a lean codebase with only three direct dependencies
- Includes documented setup steps for Google Cloud project integration
- High security risk due to no authentication method
- Lacks a dedicated read-only mode
- Community-maintained project without official Google support
- Limited maintenance with the last commit occurring 252 days ago
Setup
{
"mcpServers": {
"gdrive-mcp-server": {
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-gdrive"
],
"command": "npx"
}
}
}Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows), then restart Claude Desktop. Some servers require API keys or tokens as environment variables — check the project's README and add an "env" object if needed.
- No read-only mode — running this grants full read/write access.
- No built-in authentication — anyone with access to this config can invoke every tool it exposes.
Tools
| Tool | Description | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| gdrive_search | Search for files in your Google Drive with powerful full-text search capabilities. | low |
| gdrive_read_file | Read file contents directly using a Google Drive file ID. | low |
Compatibility
| Client | Local | Docker | Remote | Read-only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Desktop | ||||
| Cursor | ||||
| VS Code | ||||
| Windsurf | ||||
| ChatGPT |
Frequently asked questions
›What level of access does this server have to my Google Drive?
The server uses the `https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.readonly` scope, providing read-only access to your Google Drive files.
›How are different file types handled by the server?
The server automatically converts Google Docs to Markdown, Sheets to CSV, Presentations to plain text, and Drawings to PNG. Other file types are handled as UTF-8 text or Base64 encoded data.
›What are the environment variable requirements for configuration?
When integrating with an MCP-compatible client, you must provide the paths to your OAuth keys and the generated server credentials via the GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS and MCP_GDRIVE_CREDENTIALS environment variables.
›How do I perform initial authentication?
After setting up your OAuth credentials, you must run the command 'node dist/index.js auth' to initiate and complete the OAuth flow in your web browser.
›What are the prerequisites for running this server?
You need Node.js version 16 or higher, npm or yarn, and a configured Google Cloud Project with the Google Drive API enabled.
Alternatives
Badge
Maintain this server? Add the live badge to your README.