Research Google Workspace Integration

Google Workspace Integration (Optional Enhancement)

When conducting research that involves the user's calendar, email, or Drive files, you can leverage the google-workspace-mpm MCP server if it is installed and authenticated. This is an OPTIONAL enhancement that supplements your standard research tools.

Prerequisites

• User must have authenticated via /oauth setup workspace-mcp
• The google-workspace-mpm MCP server must be configured in the project

Detection

Check for Google Workspace tools by looking for tools with the prefix: mcp__google-workspace-mpm__*

Available google-workspace-mpm tools:

• mcp__google-workspace-mpm__list_calendars - List all accessible Google Calendars
• mcp__google-workspace-mpm__get_events - Get calendar events with time range filtering
  • Parameters: calendar_id (default: "primary"), time_min, time_max (RFC3339 format), max_results
• mcp__google-workspace-mpm__search_gmail_messages - Search Gmail using query strings
  • Parameters: query (Gmail search syntax like "from:user@example.com subject:meeting"), max_results
• mcp__google-workspace-mpm__get_gmail_message_content - Get full email content by message ID
  • Parameters: message_id
• mcp__google-workspace-mpm__search_drive_files - Search Drive files by query
  • Parameters: query (Drive search syntax like "name contains 'requirements'"), max_results
• mcp__google-workspace-mpm__get_drive_file_content - Get file content (exports Google Docs to text)
  • Parameters: file_id

When to Use Google Workspace Tools

Research Task	Google Workspace Tool	Example Use Case
Finding meeting times	get_events	"When is the next sprint planning meeting?"
Checking availability	get_events + list_calendars	"What's my availability next Tuesday?"
Email context gathering	search_gmail_messages	"Find emails about the API redesign"
Reading specific email	get_gmail_message_content	"Read the full email from Jane about requirements"
Finding requirements docs	search_drive_files	"Find specs for the authentication feature"
Reading project documents	get_drive_file_content	"Read the architecture document from Drive"

Research Workflow with Google Workspace

When Google Workspace tools are available, enhance your research process:

1. Standard Research Layer (Always executed):

   • Use Glob/Grep for codebase search
   • Use mcp-vector-search for semantic code discovery (if available)
   • Use WebSearch/WebFetch for external resources
   • Use mcp-skillset for enhanced analysis (if available)

2. Google Workspace Layer (Optional - if authenticated):

   • Search user's emails for project context and correspondence
   • Check calendar for meeting notes, scheduling context
   • Search Drive for requirements documents, specs, and project materials
   • Cross-reference findings with codebase analysis

3. Synthesis (Comprehensive analysis):

   • Integrate findings from all available sources
   • Connect code patterns to business requirements from Drive docs
   • Link implementation decisions to email discussions
   • Correlate timeline with calendar events

Example Research Decision Trees

Example 1: Requirements Research with Drive Integration

User Request: "Research the requirements for the payment feature"

Standard Approach (Always executed):
|- WebSearch: "payment feature requirements best practices"
|- Grep: Search codebase for payment-related code
|- Read: Review existing payment implementation
'- Synthesize: Compile findings

Enhanced with Google Workspace (if available):
|- search_drive_files: query="payment requirements" OR "payment spec"
|- get_drive_file_content: Read requirements doc from results
|- search_gmail_messages: query="subject:payment feature"
|- get_gmail_message_content: Read relevant email threads
|- Grep: Search codebase for payment-related code
|- Read: Review existing payment implementation
'- Synthesize: Requirements from Drive + email context + code analysis

Result: Complete picture of requirements, stakeholder discussions, and current implementation

Example 2: Meeting Context Research

User Request: "What was discussed in the architecture review meeting?"

Standard Approach (Always executed):
|- search_drive_files: "architecture review notes"
|- Read: Check for meeting notes in project docs/
'- Synthesize: Available documentation

Enhanced with Google Workspace (if available):
|- get_events: calendar_id="primary", time_min=<last_week>, time_max=<now>
|   -> Find "architecture review" event
|- search_drive_files: "architecture review" + meeting date
|- get_drive_file_content: Read meeting notes document
|- search_gmail_messages: "subject:architecture review" + attendees
|- get_gmail_message_content: Read follow-up emails
'- Synthesize: Calendar event + meeting notes + follow-up discussions

Result: Full context including when it happened, what was discussed, and follow-ups

Example 3: Project Context with Email History

User Request: "Research the decision history for choosing PostgreSQL"

Standard Approach (Always executed):
|- Grep: Search for PostgreSQL references in codebase
|- Read: Review database configuration and migration files
|- WebSearch: "PostgreSQL vs alternatives"
'- Synthesize: Technical analysis

Enhanced with Google Workspace (if available):
|- search_gmail_messages: "subject:database" OR "subject:postgresql"
|- get_gmail_message_content: Read decision-related emails
|- search_drive_files: "database decision" OR "tech stack"
|- get_drive_file_content: Read ADR or decision documents
|- Grep: Search for PostgreSQL references in codebase
|- Read: Review database configuration
'- Synthesize: Decision emails + docs + current implementation

Result: Complete decision history with stakeholder input and rationale

Integration Guidelines

DO:

• Check if google-workspace-mpm tools are available before attempting to use them
• Use Google Workspace as supplementary research (not a replacement for standard tools)
• Respect user privacy - only access workspace data relevant to research task
• Use appropriate time ranges for calendar queries (RFC3339 format)
• Use Gmail query syntax for precise email searches
• Combine workspace data with codebase analysis for richer context
• Fall back gracefully if workspace tools are unavailable or fail

DON'T:

• Require Google Workspace tools (they are optional enhancements)
• Block or fail research if workspace tools are not authenticated
• Access workspace data unrelated to the research task
• Provide error messages if workspace tools are unavailable
• Skip standard research steps when workspace is available
• Assume authentication is always valid (tokens can expire)

Gmail Query Syntax Examples

• from:john@example.com - Emails from specific sender
• to:team@example.com - Emails to specific recipient
• subject:requirements - Emails with specific subject
• has:attachment - Emails with attachments
• after:2024/01/01 before:2024/06/01 - Date range
• label:important - Emails with specific label
• Combine with AND/OR: from:john@example.com subject:api has:attachment

Drive Query Syntax Examples

• name contains 'requirements' - Files with name containing text
• mimeType = 'application/vnd.google-apps.document' - Google Docs only
• modifiedTime > '2024-01-01T00:00:00' - Recently modified files
• 'folder_id' in parents - Files in specific folder

Availability Check Pattern

Before using Google Workspace tools, verify availability in your tool set:

# Conceptual pattern (not literal code)
available_tools = [list of available tools]
google_workspace_available = any(tool.startswith('mcp__google-workspace-mpm__') for tool in available_tools)

if google_workspace_available:
    # Enhanced research workflow with workspace tools
    use_standard_tools()
    use_google_workspace_tools()  # Supplementary layer
    synthesize_all_findings()
else:
    # Standard research workflow only
    use_standard_tools()
    synthesize_findings()
    # No error/warning needed - optional enhancement

Graceful Degradation

If Google Workspace tools are not available or not authenticated:

• Proceed with standard research tools without any interruption
• Maintain same research methodology and quality standards
• No need to inform user about unavailable optional enhancements
• If user explicitly requests workspace data, inform them: "Google Workspace integration not available. Please authenticate via /oauth setup workspace-mcp to enable calendar, email, and Drive access."
• Continue to deliver comprehensive analysis using available tools