recipe-create-doc-from-template

googleworkspace/cli

Copy a Google Docs template, fill in content, and share with collaborators.

What is recipe-create-doc-from-template?

This recipe automates creating a new Google Doc from a template, populating it with content, and sharing it with team members. Use it to quickly spin up standardized documents like project briefs, meeting notes, or proposals without manual copying and sharing steps.

Copy an existing Google Docs template to create a new document
Populate the new document with custom content via the Docs API
Share the document with collaborators by setting permissions
Retrieve document IDs for use in subsequent operations
Support bulk sharing with multiple team members

How to install recipe-create-doc-from-template

npx skills add null --skill recipe-create-doc-from-template

Prerequisites

Google Workspace CLI (gws) installed and authenticated
gws-drive skill installed and loaded
gws-docs skill installed and loaded
Access to a Google Docs template (need the template document ID)

Claude Code

Cursor

Windsurf

Cline

How to use recipe-create-doc-from-template

1.Identify the template document ID of the Google Doc you want to copy
2.Run the copy command with the template ID and desired new document name
3.Extract the new document ID from the response
4.Use the gws docs +write command to add or modify content in the new document
5.Run the permissions create command to share the document with collaborators, specifying email addresses and roles (viewer, commenter, or writer)

Use cases

Good for

Generate a project brief from a template and share with the launch team
Create meeting note templates and distribute to attendees before a meeting
Produce standardized proposal documents and grant access to stakeholders
Duplicate a design specification template and populate with project-specific details
Batch-create onboarding documents from a template and share with new hires

Who it's for

Project managers coordinating team documents
Content creators using standardized templates
Administrative staff managing document workflows
Teams needing consistent document formats across projects

recipe-create-doc-from-template FAQ

Where do I find the template document ID?

Open the Google Doc in your browser. The ID is in the URL: docs.google.com/document/d/DOCUMENT_ID/edit. Copy the long alphanumeric string between /d/ and /edit.

Can I share with multiple people at once?

Run the permissions create command once per person, or integrate it into a loop to share with multiple email addresses sequentially.

What roles can I assign when sharing?

You can assign 'viewer' (read-only), 'commenter' (can add comments), or 'writer' (can edit) roles.

Can I add more complex formatting to the document after copying?

Yes, use the gws docs API commands to add headings, lists, tables, and other formatted content after the initial copy.

What if the template document ID is incorrect?

The copy command will fail with an error. Double-check the document ID in the URL and ensure you have access to the template.

Full instructions (SKILL.md)

Source of truth, from googleworkspace/cli.

name: recipe-create-doc-from-template description: "Copy a Google Docs template, fill in content, and share with collaborators." metadata: version: 0.22.5 openclaw: category: "recipe" domain: "productivity" requires: bins: - gws skills: - gws-drive - gws-docs

Create a Google Doc from a Template

PREREQUISITE: Load the following skills to execute this recipe: gws-drive, gws-docs

Copy a Google Docs template, fill in content, and share with collaborators.

Steps

Copy the template: gws drive files copy --params '{"fileId": "TEMPLATE_DOC_ID"}' --json '{"name": "Project Brief - Q2 Launch"}'
Get the new doc ID from the response
Add content: `gws docs +write --document-id NEW_DOC_ID --text '## Project: Q2 Launch

Objective

Launch the new feature by end of Q2.'4. Share with team:gws drive permissions create --params '{"fileId": "NEW_DOC_ID"}' --json '{"role": "writer", "type": "user", "emailAddress": "team@company.com"}'`