Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Google Sheets Row Append agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The gws-sheets-append skill is a set of instructions that teaches an AI agent how to add one or more new rows to the end of a Google Sheets spreadsheet by running the gws command-line tool. This guide is for people who regularly log entries such as expenses, leads or survey responses and want the agent to do the writing. By the end you will know how to install the skill, what you need before it works, how to ask for an append in plain language, and what to check before a write happens.
Google Sheets Row Appendgoogleworkspace/cli · Apache-2.0 Download the skill Quick start
- 1Install gws and authenticate. Install the gws command-line tool, make sure it is on your PATH, and configure Google account authentication as described in the gws-shared skill.
- 2Get the spreadsheet ID. Find the Spreadsheet ID of the Google Sheet you want to write to.
- 3Download and unzip the skill. Download the gws-sheets-append ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ or a project's .claude/skills/ folder.
- 4Or upload it in the Claude apps. In the Claude apps, go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the skill.
- 5Ask for the append in plain language. Describe the row or rows you want added and name the spreadsheet and tab if needed.
- 6Confirm the write. Review the values and target that the agent proposes, then approve so the gws command runs.
What the Google Sheets Row Append skill makes the agent do
An agent skill is a folder of instructions that an AI agent reads when a task matches it. This skill, named gws-sheets-append, covers one job: appending rows to a Google Sheets spreadsheet. Once it is installed, when you ask the agent to log or add data to a spreadsheet, it knows the correct gws command, its flags and its options, such as targeting a specific tab.
The skill itself contains only instructions. The actual writing is done by the gws tool, which must already be installed and authenticated with your Google account.
- Adds a new row, or several rows, to the end of a spreadsheet.
- Accepts simple comma-separated values or a JSON array of rows.
- Can target a specific tab using an A1-style range such as Sheet2!A1.
Install the gws tool and the skill
Before installing the skill, make sure the gws command-line tool is installed and available on your PATH, and that Google account authentication is set up for gws. The skill's source describes that authentication in the gws-shared skill. You also need the Spreadsheet ID of the sheet you want to write to.
To install the skill, download the ZIP file from this page and unzip it into one of these locations:
- ~/.claude/skills/ to make the skill available across your projects.
- A project's .claude/skills/ folder to make it available only in that project.
- Or, in the Claude apps, go to Settings → Capabilities → Skills and upload the skill there.
Trigger the skill with natural requests
You do not need to type the command yourself. Describe what you want in plain language and mention the spreadsheet, and the agent should pick up the skill when the request matches its purpose. Name the tab if the data belongs on a sheet other than the first one.
Because the skill writes to a live spreadsheet, the agent should confirm with you before it runs the write. Check the proposed row values and target before you approve.
- Add a row to my expenses sheet with the date, Alice, and 100.
- Append these three leads from the JSON below to the Leads tab of spreadsheet ID ...
- Log this survey response to Sheet2 in my feedback spreadsheet.
Command reference and examples
The skill uses the command gws sheets +append with a required --spreadsheet flag. The optional flags are --values for simple comma-separated strings, --json-values for a JSON array of rows, and --range, which defaults to A1 (the first sheet) and accepts A1 notation such as 'Sheet2!A1'.
Use --values for simple single-row appends and --json-values for bulk multi-row inserts. The source gives these examples:
gws sheets +append --spreadsheet ID --values 'Alice,100,true'
gws sheets +append --spreadsheet ID --json-values '[["a","b"],["c","d"]]'
gws sheets +append --spreadsheet ID --range "Sheet2!A1" --values 'Alice,100'Safety notes: scripts and network access
This skill runs scripts and uses the network. Its job is to send data to your Google Sheet through the gws tool, so the writes go to a live spreadsheet that may be shared with others. The source marks the command as a write command and says the agent should confirm with the user before executing it.
The skill refers to a separate gws-shared skill for auth, global flags and security rules. Read that material before you use the skill with sensitive data.
- Review the rows and the target spreadsheet ID and tab before approving each write.
- Do not use this skill where unreviewed writes are risky.
- Check the shared skill for authentication and security details.
Tips for reliable appends
Keep requests specific: give the spreadsheet ID, the tab and the exact values. Use --json-values when you have several rows, because it avoids the ambiguity of splitting simple strings. If you need to read, edit or delete data, this skill does not cover that; the source points to the broader gws-sheets skill for other spreadsheet operations.
- Use --values for one row and --json-values for many rows.
- Use --range when the data belongs on a tab other than the first sheet.
- For reading or editing existing rows, use the gws-sheets skill instead.
What people use it for
- Logging expenses from a conversation into a monthly budget sheet.
- Adding new leads to a shared sales tracker.
- Recording survey responses into a feedback spreadsheet.
- Bulk-appending several rows of JSON data to a specific tab.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the gws-sheets-append skill?
Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project. In the Claude apps you can instead upload it under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.
What do I need before the skill works?
You need the gws command-line tool installed and on your PATH, Google account authentication configured for gws, and the Spreadsheet ID of the target sheet. Without gws the skill cannot write anything.
Is the gws-sheets-append skill free?
The skill is licensed under Apache-2.0. This page does not state any price, so check the project's own licence and terms for details.
Can this skill read or delete spreadsheet data?
No. This skill only covers appending rows. The source points to the broader gws-sheets skill for other read and write spreadsheet operations.
How do I add data to a tab other than the first sheet?
Use the --range flag with A1 notation that names the tab, such as Sheet2!A1. The default is A1, which targets the first sheet.
Does the agent write to my sheet without asking?
The source marks this as a write command and says the agent should confirm with the user before executing it. Review the proposed rows and target before you approve.
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Our verdict
This skill suits people who regularly log entries into a Google Sheet and already have, or are willing to set up, the gws tool with authentication. It is a poor fit if you need to read, edit or delete data, or if you cannot have an agent write to a live shared spreadsheet without review.
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