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

‘gdrive’ is a command-line tool that allows users to interact seamlessly with Google Drive. Whether you wish to upload files, download content, or update existing files and folders on your Google Drive, gdrive provides a straightforward way to manage these tasks efficiently from the terminal. The command requires Google Drive APIs and supports authentication for secure operations. It’s an essential tool for developers and power users needing to automate their interactions with Google Drive, improve workflows, or manage extensive file structures without navigating through the web interface.

Use case 1: Upload a Local Path to the Parent Folder with the Specified ID

Code:

gdrive upload -p id path/to/file_or_folder

Motivation:

Imagine you have a folder filled with project documentation on your local machine that you need to share with your collaborators urgently. Manually uploading numerous files through the web interface can be time-consuming. Here, the gdrive upload command simplifies this process by allowing batch uploads directly from your terminal.

Explanation:

• upload: This keyword instructs gdrive to initiate the upload process.
• -p id: The -p flag specifies the parent folder in Google Drive where the file or folder will be uploaded. Replace id with the actual ID of the Drive folder.
• path/to/file_or_folder: This specifies the relative or absolute path on your local machine where the file or folder is located.

Example output:

Uploading file... Uploaded file 'my_project_docs' with ID <new_file_id>

Use case 2: Download File or Directory by ID to Current Directory

Code:

gdrive download id

Motivation:

If you need to access a presentation stored in Google Drive quickly for an offline review, this command offers a rapid way to fetch the file without leaving the terminal environment. It eliminates the need to log in to the web interface and manually download the file.

Explanation:

• download: This command indicates you are initiating a download from Google Drive.
• id: The unique identifier of the file or folder in Google Drive that you wish to download. This ID can be extracted from the Google Drive URL of the file or folder.

Example output:

Downloading file... Download completed! File saved as 'presentation.pptx'

Use case 3: Download to a Given Local Path by its ID

Code:

gdrive download --path path/to/folder id

Motivation:

If you’re organizing digital resources for a workshop and need to download multimedia files into a specific directory for easy access, this command allows you to define exactly where the downloaded files will reside on your local machine, assisting in maintaining order and efficiency.

Explanation:

• download: Designates the action to retrieve a file from Google Drive.
• --path path/to/folder: The --path flag designates the specific local directory path where you wish to save the downloaded file.
• id: The Google Drive ID for the file or folder you want to download, which is necessary to access the correct data.

Example output:

Downloading file... File saved to '/Users/username/Downloads/resources/media.mp4'

Use case 4: Create a New Revision of an ID Using a Given File or Folder

Code:

gdrive update id path/to/file_or_folder

Motivation:

In scenarios where continual updates to datasets or documents are necessary, this command can facilitate version control by overwriting existing files or folders with updated content. This ensures that the most recent information is always available to collaborators accessing the Drive.

Explanation:

• update: This signifies that you aim to replace an existing file or folder on Google Drive.
• id: The ID of the file or folder on Google Drive that should be updated.
• path/to/file_or_folder: Indicates the local file or folder which contains the new data intended to replace the old version on Drive.

Example output:

Updating file... File successfully updated in Google Drive with new content

Conclusion:

The gdrive command-line tool provides a suite of functionalities that streamline file operations between your local environment and Google Drive, making it an invaluable resource for efficient management of online storage. Whether you’re an individual seeking faster file transfers or a professional automating file uploads, downloads, or updates, mastering these gdrive operations can significantly enhance your productivity and file management.