Setting up the Google Calendar MCP Server

This guide walks you through setting up the Google Calendar MCP Server step by step. You will learn how to configure the necessary API permissions in the Google Cloud Console and set up the server locally in your AI client.

Step 1: Set Up a Google Cloud Project

To interact with the Google Calendar API, you must create a GCP project:
Log into the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/).
Create a new project or select an existing one.
Search for the Google Calendar API and click Enable.

Step 2: Create API Credentials (OAuth 2.0)

For personal everyday use, OAuth authentication is the most straightforward option:
Navigate to APIs & Services > Credentials.
Click Create Credentials > OAuth client ID.
Select Desktop App as the application type, name it (e.g., "Calendar MCP"), and click Create.
Download the credentials JSON and rename it to credentials.json.

Step 3: Configure Claude Desktop

Add the server process inside your local configuration file.

### Using the Python Version via uv:
Add the server entry to your claude_desktop_config.json and point it to your credentials path:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-calendar": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-google-calendar",
        "--credentials",
        "/path/to/your/credentials.json"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Save the file and restart Claude Desktop. During the first launch, a secure Google login window will prompt you to authorize access once.

Step 4: Test Your Calendar Tools

Once the server is active, test its capabilities with prompts like these:
"Read my calendar entries for today."
"Schedule a one-hour meeting with Max tomorrow at 2 PM."
"Do I have any free slots on Friday between 10 AM and noon?"