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Google MCP — Auth Setup

Google Cloud uses either a service account credentials file or an API key to authenticate requests, depending on the service.

1. Get your credentials

  1. Open the Google Cloud API Credentials page (opens Google Cloud — we never see your credentials)
  2. For server-to-server access: click Create Credentials > Service account, generate a JSON key file, and download it
  3. For Maps or simple API access: click Create Credentials > API key and copy the key value
  4. Restrict the key or service account to only the APIs your workflow needs

2. Set environment variables

macOS / Linux — add to ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc:

# For service account (most Google Cloud APIs):
export GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS=/path/to/your/service-account-key.json
# For Maps or simple API key access:
# export GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY_HERE

Then run source ~/.zshrc (or open a new terminal).

Windows — run in Command Prompt (then restart):

setx GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS "C:\path\to\your\service-account-key.json"
:: Or for Maps/API key:
:: setx GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"

3. Verify

npx claude-skills doctor

You should see ✅ next to the Google MCP entry. If you see ❌, confirm the variable is set: echo $GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS.

4. Restart Claude Code

Quit and reopen Claude Code (or run /mcp list inside Claude Code to confirm the Google MCP appears).