Google Maps Platform API Skill for Claude Code

A complete CLI client for 20+ Google Maps Platform REST APIs — built as a Claude Code skill. No external dependencies; uses only Python standard library.

APIs Covered

Category	APIs
Core	Geocoding, Reverse Geocoding, Directions, Distance Matrix
Places	Text Search, Nearby Search, Place Details, Autocomplete, Photos
Environment	Weather, Air Quality, Pollen, Solar
Maps	Static Maps, Street View, Maps Embed (free), Maps JavaScript
Other	Elevation, Time Zone, Address Validation, Roads, Geolocation, Aerial View, Route Optimization

Quick Start

1. Install the skill

claude skill install tivojn/google-maps-api-skill

2. Add your API key

echo 'GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_key_here' >> ~/.env

Get a key from the Google Cloud Console.

3. Enable APIs

Enable the APIs you need in APIs & Services > Library. If you forget, the skill will detect the error and offer to walk you through enabling it via Playwright.

4. Use it

Just ask Claude naturally:

• "What's the weather in Tokyo?"
• "Find the best pizza near Times Square"
• "How do I drive from LA to San Francisco?"
• "What's the air quality in Delhi right now?"
• "Is this address valid: 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View?"
• "Can I put solar panels on my roof at [address]?"

Usage Examples

# Geocode an address
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py geocode "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA"

# Get directions
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py directions "New York, NY" "Boston, MA" --mode transit

# Search for places
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py places-search "best ramen in Tokyo"

# Check weather
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py weather 40.7128 -74.0060

# Air quality
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py air-quality 40.7128 -74.0060 --health --pollutants

# Pollen forecast
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py pollen 34.0522 -118.2437 --days 5

# Solar potential
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py solar 37.4219 -122.0841

# Elevation
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py elevation 39.7392 -104.9903

# Validate an address
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py validate-address "1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043"

# Street View
python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-maps-api/scripts/gmaps.py streetview --location "Eiffel Tower, Paris"

Interactive HTML Output

When results benefit from a visual presentation, the skill can generate interactive HTML pages with maps, routes, dashboards, and Street View panoramas — using the Warm Stone Sunrise theme (light, warm-toned, premium design). It will always ask before generating HTML.

See examples/trip-plan-example.html for a sample.

Key Features

• Zero dependencies — Python stdlib only (urllib, json, ssl)
• 20+ APIs from a single gmaps.py script
• Guided API enablement — if an API isn't enabled, the skill offers to walk you through enabling it in your browser via Playwright
• Interactive HTML pages — maps, routes, weather dashboards, and more
• API key security — .env is gitignored; production architecture docs for multi-user deployments

Project Structure

├── SKILL.md           # Full skill definition (API reference, themes, security docs)
├── scripts/
│   └── gmaps.py       # Main CLI script — all 20+ API commands
├── examples/
│   └── trip-plan-example.html
├── .env.example       # API key template
├── .env               # Your actual key (gitignored)
└── README.md

API Key Security

• .env is in .gitignore — your key stays local
• For personal use, the key is embedded in generated HTML pages (your machine only)
• For production/multi-user apps, see the API Key Security & Production Architecture section in SKILL.md for a two-key backend proxy setup

Pricing

Most APIs charge per request, but Google provides a $200/month free credit. The Maps Embed API is always free. See Google Maps pricing for details.

License

MIT