rclone

Browse, search, and download Google Drive files read-only via rclone.

8|1|Updated Aug 5, 2025

Search Tags:#search #command-line #drive #google-drive #rclone #file-listing #data-download

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/ArtyMcLabin/ClaudeCode-global-config --skill rclone-artymclabin

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: rclone
Source: https://github.com/ArtyMcLabin/ClaudeCode-global-config/tree/main/skills/rclone
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ArtyMcLabin/ClaudeCode-global-config --skill rclone-artymclabin

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill enables access to Google Drive data through the rclone CLI with read-only support for native Google formats, allowing safe download, listing, and search workflows without modifying the originals.

Core Features & Use Cases

Read-only native format handling: Download Sheets as Excel, Docs as Word, Slides as PowerPoint for offline use.
Browse and search: List folders/files and perform searches on Drive from the command line.
Common tasks: Retrieve files, sync local folders with Drive, and export non-native formats for downstream processing.
Use Case: You want a scripted workflow to locate a Google Sheet, export it to Excel, and process locally without opening a browser.

Quick Start

Install rclone, configure a gdrive remote with rclone config, then run examples like rclone lsd gdrive: to list top-level folders or rclone copy gdrive:"path/to/file.xlsx" . to download a file.

Frequently Asked Questions about rclone

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I download Google Drive files from the command line?▼

You can download Google Drive files from the command line by using rclone to copy files or folders from a configured gdrive remote to your local directory for offline workflows.

Can rclone export native Google Sheets and Docs to Microsoft formats?▼

Yes, rclone can export native Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides into Excel, Word, and PowerPoint formats respectively, allowing you to download them for offline use without modifying the originals.

How do I list and search Google Drive folders using rclone?▼

You can list and search Google Drive folders using rclone commands like lsd to browse top-level directories and query the gdrive remote to locate specific files without opening a browser.

Does this rclone setup allow modifying files directly on Google Drive?▼

No, this rclone setup enforces a read-only constraint for native Google formats, meaning it supports reading, listing, and searching Drive files while strictly avoiding in-place edits of the originals.

What do I need to configure before browsing Google Drive with rclone?▼

Before browsing Google Drive with rclone, you need to install the rclone CLI and run rclone config to set up a gdrive remote, which establishes the connection for read-only data access.

What is the best way to automate retrieving a Google Sheet for local processing?▼

The best way to automate retrieving a Google Sheet for local processing is scripting an rclone workflow to locate the file on your gdrive remote and export it directly to Excel.