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notebooklm-mcp-cli is a single PyPI package that installs two binaries: the nlm command-line interface and the notebooklm-mcp MCP server. You only need to install one package to get both entry points. The package requires Python 3.11 or higher and works on macOS, Linux, and Windows (including WSL2).
1
Install the package
2
Choose your preferred installation method. uv is recommended for isolated, reproducible installs that won’t interfere with your system Python.
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uv (Recommended)
uv tool install notebooklm-mcp-cli
uvx (No Install)
# Run CLI commands without a persistent install
uvx --from notebooklm-mcp-cli nlm --help

# Run the MCP server without a persistent install
uvx --from notebooklm-mcp-cli notebooklm-mcp
pip
pip install notebooklm-mcp-cli
pipx
pipx install notebooklm-mcp-cli
Source
git clone https://github.com/jacob-bd/notebooklm-mcp-cli.git
cd notebooklm-mcp-cli

uv tool install .
4
Verify the install
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After installation you should have two new commands available in your PATH:
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nlm --help            # CLI entry point
notebooklm-mcp --help # MCP server entry point
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Confirm the installed version with:
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uv tool list | grep notebooklm
# notebooklm-mcp-cli v0.7.3
#   - nlm
#   - notebooklm-mcp
9
Authenticate
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Before using either tool, authenticate with NotebookLM:
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nlm login
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See the Authentication guide for Auto Mode, File Mode, and multi-profile setup.
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Connect an AI agent (optional)
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If you want to use the MCP server with an AI assistant, run the appropriate setup command:
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nlm setup add claude-code
nlm setup add cursor
nlm setup add gemini
nlm setup add github-copilot

# Generate a JSON config snippet for any other MCP client
nlm setup add json

​
Upgrading

uv tool upgrade notebooklm-mcp-cli
If uv tool upgrade installs an older version than expected, use a force-reinstall instead. The upgrade command respects version constraints from your original install; --force bypasses them and fetches the absolute latest from PyPI:
uv tool install --force notebooklm-mcp-cli
After upgrading, restart your AI tool to reconnect to the updated MCP server:
  • Claude Code: Restart the app, or run /mcp to reconnect.
  • Cursor / Windsurf: Restart the application.
  • Gemini CLI: Restart the CLI session.

​
Migrating from Legacy Packages

Earlier releases shipped as two separate packages — notebooklm-cli (CLI only) and notebooklm-mcp-server (MCP only). These have been consolidated into the single notebooklm-mcp-cli package. If you have either legacy package installed, follow these steps to migrate.
1
Check what you have installed
2
uv tool list | grep notebooklm
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If you see notebooklm-cli or notebooklm-mcp-server in the output, you are on the legacy packages.
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Legacy packageWhat it wasnotebooklm-cliOld CLI-only packagenotebooklm-mcp-serverOld MCP-only package
5
Uninstall the legacy packages
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# Remove old CLI package (if installed)
uv tool uninstall notebooklm-cli

# Remove old MCP package (if installed)
uv tool uninstall notebooklm-mcp-server
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Reinstall the unified package
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Use --force to ensure clean symlinks after the uninstall:
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uv tool install --force notebooklm-mcp-cli
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The --force flag is important here. When multiple packages provide the same executable, uv can leave broken symlinks behind after an uninstall. The flag ensures they are recreated correctly.
11
Verify the result
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uv tool list | grep notebooklm
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You should now see only the unified package:
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notebooklm-mcp-cli v0.7.3
  - nlm
  - notebooklm-mcp
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Re-authenticate if needed
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Your existing cookies should still work. If you encounter auth errors:
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nlm login
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MCP server configuration in your AI tool (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.) does not need to change — the server binary name notebooklm-mcp is the same in both the legacy and unified packages.

​
Uninstalling

To fully remove the package and all associated data: 
uv tool uninstall notebooklm-mcp-cli
To also remove cached authentication tokens and configuration: 
rm -rf ~/.notebooklm-mcp-cli
If you registered the MCP server with any AI tools, remove those entries too: 
nlm setup remove claude-code
nlm setup remove cursor
# Repeat for each configured tool

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