Google Workspace is where inbox, calendar, files, docs, and meeting context already pile up across the day. That makes it a strong fit for an AI assistant that helps teams triage Gmail, prepare for meetings, search Drive and Docs, and turn scattered workspace context into clear replies and follow-ups from Slack. If you are running OpenClaw yourself, this guide still covers the Google Cloud, OAuth, and delegation work you would otherwise need to manage.
How OpenClaw Integrations Work
OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI assistant that runs on your own server — typically an EC2 instance — and connects to Slack. It uses Claude under the hood to process requests. Out of the box, OpenClaw doesn't ship with pre-built connections to third-party tools. Instead, integrations are built using the skills system: markdown files in ~/.openclaw/skills/ that give Claude instructions for a particular domain, combined with HTTP tool calls to any API you expose to it.
In practice, adding a real integration means: getting API credentials from the third-party service, building or configuring a small proxy/endpoint that OpenClaw can call, and writing a skill file that tells Claude how to use it. For some tools this is an afternoon of work. For others — like Google Workspace — it's considerably more involved.
Connecting OpenClaw with Google Workspace: Step by Step
Step 1: Create a Google Cloud Project and Enable APIs
In Google Cloud Console, create a project and enable the APIs you need: Gmail API, Google Calendar API, Google Drive API. Each must be enabled individually. Then create OAuth 2.0 credentials or a Service Account depending on whether you need user-specific access or workspace-wide access.
Step 2: Handle Domain-Wide Delegation (If Needed)
For a service account to access Gmail or Calendar on behalf of workspace users, you need to configure Domain-Wide Delegation in Google Admin console and grant the service account access to the specific OAuth scopes. This is an admin-level action and requires a Google Workspace admin.
Step 3: Build Separate Proxy Endpoints and a Combined Skill File
Build proxy endpoints for each service you're integrating. They have separate API base URLs and different response shapes. Write ~/.openclaw/skills/google-workspace.md explaining what's available across Gmail, Calendar, and Drive so Claude knows which service to query for which type of question.
Challenges and Caveats
This Is Multiple Integrations in One
Google Workspace isn't a single API. It is 5-10 separate APIs, each with their own rate limits, scopes, and response formats. Building a coherent integration across all of them is a significant project.
Gmail Scopes Are Sensitive
Gmail API scopes are classified as sensitive or restricted. If your OAuth app accesses Gmail for non-personal use, Google may require an app verification process before it can be used by more than a small number of test users.
Skip All of This — Use Cody Instead
Cody gives your team a Google Workspace assistant in Slack, so people can triage Gmail, prep for meetings, search Drive and Docs, and draft follow-ups without setting up Google Cloud projects, domain delegation, or OAuth plumbing.
Related Guides
- Connecting OpenClaw with Google Sheets: A Practical Guide
- Connecting OpenClaw with Notion: A Practical Guide
- Connecting OpenClaw with Asana: A Practical Guide
Need the model-flexible version? See: How to Connect Google Workspace to OpenClaw: Setup, Models, and Workflow Guide.