How to Use the Command 'gcalcli' (with Examples)

‘gcalcli’ is a powerful command-line tool that allows users to interact directly with their Google Calendar. By using simple command-line instructions, users can list their events, show events across different time frames, and even add new events without needing to open a web browser. It requests Google API authorization upon first use, ensuring secure access to calendar data.

List Your Events for All Your Calendars Over the Next 7 Days

Code:

gcalcli agenda

Motivation: In today’s fast-paced world, keeping track of tasks and meetings is crucial for productivity. This command provides a streamlined way to quickly view what lies ahead in the next week, ensuring you don’t miss important events. It gathers data from all calendars associated with your Google account so you have a comprehensive overview.

Explanation:

• gcalcli: The command invoking the Google Calendar CLI.
• agenda: The subcommand that retrieves a list of upcoming events, by default for the next 7 days.

Example Output:

March 15, 2023
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Team Meeting
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM - Lunch with Sarah
March 16, 2023
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM - Project Deadline

Show Events Starting from or Between Specific Dates

Code:

gcalcli agenda mm/dd [mm/dd]

Motivation: Sometimes you need to focus on a specific time period rather than the standard week view. For instance, when planning for a particular event or assessing workload over a fortnight, you might want this precise information.

Explanation:

• gcalcli: Invokes the Google Calendar CLI.
• agenda: Requests the list of events.
• mm/dd: Sets the start date for the event listing.
• [mm/dd]: An optional end date to view events within a specific range.

Example Output:

March 20, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Dentist Appointment
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM - Family Dinner
March 25, 2023
03:00 PM - 05:00 PM - Workshop on Time Management

List Events from a Specific Calendar

Code:

gcalcli --calendar calendar_name agenda

Motivation: When managing multiple calendars, such as separating personal and work-related appointments, viewing specific calendars can help maintain clarity and organization. This command ensures that you focus only on relevant events, reducing noise and confusion.

Explanation:

• gcalcli: The entry point for interacting with Google Calendar via CLI.
• --calendar calendar_name: Specifies the calendar from which to pull the events.
• agenda: Lists events from the specified calendar.

Example Output:

"Work Calendar"
March 17, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Client Presentation
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM - Submit Project Report

Display an ASCII Calendar of Events by Week

Code:

gcalcli calw

Motivation: Sometimes you need a visual representation of your week to better understand your schedule. The ASCII calendar format offers a text-based visualization, ideal for quick reference without graphical interfaces.

Explanation:

• gcalcli: Initiates communication with Google Calendar.
• calw: Generates a weekly view in ASCII format, making it easy to see your commitments at a glance.

Example Output:

+--------------------------+
|Calendar Week of 04/03/23 |
+--------------------------+
|Su|Mo|Tu|We|Th|Fr|Sa|
|--+--+--+--+--+--+--|
|  |  |04|05|06|07|  |
|  |  |09 11| 12 02  |
+--------------------------+

Display an ASCII Calendar of Events for a Month

Code:

gcalcli calm

Motivation: A monthly overview is essential for long-term planning. This ASCII calendar offers a concise textual representation of events over an entire month, allowing users to effectively manage and prepare for upcoming tasks.

Explanation:

• gcalcli: The base command for accessing Google Calendar.
• calm: Presents a month view in an ASCII format, perfect for an overview of longer-term commitments.

Example Output:

+--------------------------+
| Calendar Month: April    |
+--------------------------+
|Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa|
|   |   | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |10 |11 |12 |
|13 |14 |15 |16 |Event |18 |19 |
| ... |
+--------------------------+

Quick-Add an Event to Your Calendar

Code:

gcalcli --calendar calendar_name quick "mm/dd HH:MM event_name"

Motivation: The ability to quickly add events ensures that important tasks are documented without delay. This feature is invaluable for busy individuals who need instant updates to their schedules as new commitments arise.

Explanation:

• gcalcli: Command-line interaction with Google Calendar.
• --calendar calendar_name: Selects the calendar to add the event.
• quick: Allows rapid creation of a new calendar event.
• mm/dd HH:MM event_name: Specifies the date, time, and title of the new event.

Example Output:

Event 'Meeting with Bob' added to 'Work' calendar for 04/10 at 14:00.

Add an Event to Calendar with Interactive Prompt

Code:

gcalcli --calendar "calendar_name" add

Motivation: When more detailed information is necessary for creating an event, the interactive prompt can guide users through adding an event step by step. This ensures all important details are considered and included.

Explanation:

• gcalcli: The primary command for accessing your Google Calendar.
• --calendar "calendar_name": Specifies the calendar for the event.
• add: Launches an interactive mode, prompting for inputs like start time, end time, location, etc.

Example Output:

Title: Appointment
Location: Doctor's Office
When: Friday, April 21, 10:00 AM
Duration (minutes): 60

Conclusion

‘gcalcli’ provides versatile and efficient access to manage Google Calendars without ever needing to leave the command line. Whether you are juggling multiple calendars, quickly logging a new appointment, or simply wanting to view your week, ‘gcalcli’ has robust options to streamline calendar management. By leveraging these use cases, you’ll be able to optimize your schedule and ensure you stay on top of your commitments with ease.