Target tool: NotebookLM Studio via MCP studio_create / CLI nlm * create. Prompts go in focus_prompt, custom_prompt, or description — not chat messages.
Audience: AI agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, etc.) invoking Studio on behalf of users.
Research basis: Dec 2025 – Jun 2026 (Google Help, practitioner guides, community workflows).
Companion file: studio-prompt-examples.md — fast-track minimal prompts + guided templates.
Default: fast track. Reduce friction. Do not run intake questionnaires.
Use when the request is clear enough to infer settings from context.
Triggers: - User names an artifact type: "make a podcast", "create slides", "infographic" - User gives specifics: format, audience, topic, or style in the same message - User says: "just do it", "fast", "quick", "don't ask questions"
NOT fast track — always guided:
- video_format=cinematic — quota-limited (~2/day Pro); requires full creative brief + one-line quota note, even if user says "make a cinematic video"
Behavior:
1. Silently infer context (see Silent inference sources)
2. Pick format/style from decision tree
3. Craft a minimal prompt (1–3 sentences) with grounding anchor
4. One compact line to user, then studio_create(confirm=True)
Creating a default deep-dive audio (~10 min) on your notebook's main themes. Generating now.
Use when quality would suffer without a pause, or the user opts in.
Triggers: - Vague request with no inferable goal ("make something cool") - High-stakes deliverable (client deck, public infographic, branded report) - Any cinematic video request - Empty notebook or no usable sources - User asks: "help me craft this", "walk me through", "show me the prompt first"
Behavior:
1. Show settings + full proposed prompt (use templates from examples file — Guided section)
2. Offer one refinement chance — never more than one clarifying question
3. Generate on approval via studio_create(confirm=True)
Anti-patterns (never do these): - Multi-question intake ("Who's the audience? What tone? How long? Which sources?") - Asking format questions when defaults are obvious - Full preview on every request regardless of clarity - Using long guided templates for simple fast-track requests - Blocking on Drive sync — Google auto-syncs Drive sources; only mention sync if user reports stale content
| Phrase | Mode |
|---|---|
| "just generate it", "fast", "skip questions" | Force fast track (except cinematic → still guided) |
| "help me craft", "show prompt", "walk me through" | Force guided |
| "cinematic video" | Always guided + quota warning |
User requests Studio artifact
→ Classify: fast track or guided? (cinematic → always guided)
→ If notebook empty: stop, add sources first (only hard blocker)
→ Silently infer context (user message → notebook title → notebook_describe if needed)
→ If 5+ sources and focused topic: pass source_ids (no question — infer from request)
→ Pick format/style from decision tree
→ Craft prompt: minimal (fast) or full (guided) + grounding anchor
→ Fast: one-line notice → studio_create(confirm=True)
→ Guided: show settings + prompt → optional refine → studio_create(confirm=True)
→ Poll studio_status until completed or failed
→ Iterate ONLY if: status=failed, user dissatisfied, or slides need studio_revise
confirm=TrueFast track reduces clarifying questions, not the MCP/CLI confirmation gate.
studio_create(confirm=True) when the user's request constitutes approval to generatestudio_create(confirm=True) without the user having requested generationUse in order — call without asking the user:
| Priority | Source | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | User's message | Always |
| 2 | Notebook title | Generic requests ("make a podcast") |
| 3 | notebook_describe |
Title alone is insufficient; call silently |
| 4 | Prior conversation context | User referenced topics earlier in session |
| 5 | source_ids scoping |
User named a chapter, source, or topic matching source titles |
Two prompt layers:
- Notebook persona (chat_configure with goal=custom) — shapes all Studio outputs; set once for repeat/branded work
- Per-artifact prompt — focus_prompt, custom_prompt, or description
Retrieve successful prompts: studio_status returns custom_instructions per artifact for reuse.
Use only uploaded sources. Do not invent statistics, quotes, names, or examples not in the sources.
This is the single highest-leverage line for NotebookLM Studio quality.
| Block | Purpose | Example fragment |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Who consumes this | "Non-technical executives" |
| Goal | One outcome | "Prep for midterm on thermodynamics" |
| Scope | Include / exclude | "Chapter 4 only; skip historical background" |
| Structure | Sections, beats, layout | "Problem → 3 findings → recommendation" |
| Constraints | Tone, length, language | "Conversational; ~10 min; English only" |
Fast-track minimal (1–3 sentences):
[Audience]. Focus on [2-3 themes from sources]. [Structure or tone hint]. Use only uploaded sources.
Guided full skeleton:
Audience: [who]. Goal: [outcome]. Focus: [themes]. Exclude: [skip].
Structure: [sections]. Tone: [register]. Use only uploaded sources.
Universal anti-patterns:
- Blank generate with no prompt — always craft at least a minimal focus prompt
- Long Sabrina-style prompts on fast-track requests — save for guided/high-stakes
- "Make it good" / "make it look cool" — infer specifics or switch to guided mode
- All sources enabled on large notebooks — scope with source_ids when topic is narrow
- Expecting inline citations in audio/video — verify facts via chat separately
- Regenerating entire deck for one bad slide — use studio_revise for slides
Use to validate output without bothering the user.
| Artifact | Pass | Fail → action |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | studio_status=completed; topic matches request |
Regenerate with tighter scope or source_ids |
| Video | Completed; explainer/brief matches audience | Refine focus; cinematic: expect ~50% of beats honored |
| Slides | Narrative matches requested structure | studio_revise for fact/layout fixes; regen if wrong arc |
| Infographic | Key stats match sources (spot-check via chat) | Regen with explicit columns/layout; avoid detailed level |
| Report | Structure and claims source-grounded | Use Create Your Own with contradiction rules |
| Quiz | MC questions on requested topics | Refine focus_prompt; non-MC needs chat, not Studio |
| Flashcards | Cards match requested type mix | Refine focus; export CSV if needed |
| Data table | All columns present; N/A not invented numbers | Tighten column schema in description |
Do not offer iteration proactively on success. Only iterate when status=failed, user is dissatisfied, or slides need targeted studio_revise.
Run mentally; do not present as a questionnaire.
| Check | Action if failed |
|---|---|
| Notebook has sources | Add sources first — hard stop |
| Topic is narrow + many sources | Pass source_ids without asking |
| Non-English content | Set language (BCP-47) |
| Cinematic video | Always guided + one-line quota note |
| Repeat/branded work | Consider chat_configure — optional, not blocking |
Skip: manual Drive stale/sync checks (auto-sync handles this).
artifact_type=audio)Parameters: audio_format, audio_length, focus_prompt
Use a regional BCP-47 locale when the requested accent matters. NotebookLM has
been observed producing Spain Spanish for es/es-ES and Latin-American
Spanish for es-US/es-419. Prompt instructions do not reliably change the
voice accent. NOTEBOOKLM_HL sets the default locale, while language can
override it per generation. This behavior is controlled upstream and may
change.
| Scenario | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Quick gist / pre-meeting | brief |
short |
| Standard learning / commute | deep_dive |
default (~10 min) |
| Deep unit review | deep_dive |
long (~20 min) |
| Review your own writing | critique |
default |
| Tradeoffs / exam defense prep | debate |
default or long |
Fast-track prompt: audience + 2–3 themes + grounding anchor.
Anti-patterns: expecting 30+ min from prompt alone; critique/debate without the draft in sources.
artifact_type=video)Parameters: video_format, visual_style, focus_prompt, video_style_prompt (CLI: --style-prompt)
| Scenario | Format | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Exec recap (~2 min) | brief |
Fast track OK |
| Structured learning, data walkthrough | explainer |
Fast track OK |
| Narrative launch, memorable teaser | cinematic |
Always guided |
| Quick mobile/social recap (~60s, vertical) | short |
Fast track OK |
| Style | Best for |
|---|---|
auto_select |
Internal drafts, fast track default |
whiteboard |
Tutorials, step-by-step |
classic |
General business |
watercolor / heritage |
Reflective, humanities |
kawaii / anime |
Playful, youth content |
Custom (visual_style + style prompt) |
Brand/public-facing — prefer guided |
No visual style picker. Full creative brief in focus_prompt. CLI --style-prompt remaps into focus_prompt.
Anatomy: role + audience + genre metaphor → segmented beats (a.k.a. source elements) → tone → visual style paragraph (8–12 comma-separated phrases).
Quota note (one line): "Cinematic uses daily quota (~2/day Pro) — proceeding with full brief."
Anti-patterns: using --style on cinematic; 20+ unfocused sources; expecting exact shot list compliance.
A ~60-second, vertical "bite-sized overview" — like Cinematic, it has no visual style picker, so CLI --style-prompt remaps into focus_prompt. Rolling out gradually: English-only, 18+, Pro/Ultra subscribers first. If NotebookLM rejects the request, the account/region may not have access yet.
Fast-track prompt: 1–2 sentences naming the core concept to distill — shorter than explainer/brief prompts since the output itself is short.
artifact_type=slide_deck)Parameters: slide_format, slide_length, focus_prompt
| Scenario | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Email/share without presenter | detailed_deck |
default |
| Live talk / meeting | presenter_slides |
short or default |
| Quick exec update | either | short |
Fast-track prompt: audience + structure arc + grounding anchor.
Iteration (studio_revise) — only when user wants fixes:
1. Fact fixes per slide first (revise does not re-read sources)
2. Layout/cosmetic revisions
3. Export PPTX; budget human polish for image-layer slides
Anti-patterns: presenter_slides for handouts; revising to add new source data (regenerate instead).
artifact_type=infographic)Parameters: orientation, detail_level, infographic_style, focus_prompt
| Goal | Orientation | Detail | Style start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slide embed / business | landscape |
standard |
professional, scientific |
| LinkedIn / social | square |
concise |
bento_grid, professional |
| Mobile / poster | portrait |
concise or standard |
editorial, kawaii |
| Process / how-to | landscape |
standard |
instructional, sketch_note |
| Internal draft | any | standard |
auto_select |
Style guide (11 presets): sketch_note (workshops), professional (B2B), bento_grid (comparisons), editorial (thought leadership), instructional (SOPs), bricks/clay (chunked / kid-friendly), anime/kawaii (informal), scientific (research).
Fast-track prompt: layout type + 3 key points + grounding anchor.
Anti-patterns: detailed detail level as default; auto_select for client deliverables.
artifact_type=report)Parameters: report_format, custom_prompt (required for Create Your Own)
| Scenario | Format | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting prep, single-source skim | Briefing Doc |
Fast track (no custom prompt) |
| Exam prep with built-in Q&A | Study Guide |
Fast track |
| Shareable narrative | Blog Post |
Fast track |
| Lit review, contradiction map, custom structure | Create Your Own |
Guided |
Anti-patterns: Briefing Doc when source disagreements must be visible; vague custom prompts.
artifact_type=quiz)Parameters: question_count, difficulty, focus_prompt
Studio quiz = multiple choice only. Short-answer, derivations, and essays require chat or Create Your Own reports — not artifact_type=quiz.
| Scenario | Settings |
|---|---|
| Warm-up / vocab | easy, fewer questions |
| Regular study | medium, default count |
| Pre-exam stress test | hard, more questions |
| Topic/style steering | custom focus_prompt (MC formats only) |
CLI note: --difficulty is 1–5. MCP: easy / medium / hard.
Anti-patterns: prompt asking for non-MC question types; "make it hard" without topic scope.
artifact_type=flashcards)Parameters: difficulty, focus_prompt
Fast-track prompt: card type (definition vs scenario) + topic scope + grounding anchor.
Anti-patterns: default "What is X?" deck for application exams; no scope on large notebooks.
artifact_type=data_table)Parameters: description (REQUIRED)
Fast-track still requires explicit columns in description:
[Purpose]. Columns: Col1, Col2, Col3. One row per [entity]. N/A if not in sources.
Anti-patterns: "important info table" without columns; 70+ page pattern extraction (chat may work better).
| Pipeline | Steps |
|---|---|
| Audio escalation | brief → deep_dive → critique → debate (same sources) |
| Exam stack | Study Guide → quiz → flashcards |
| Research to visual | deep research import → slides → infographic |
| Messy PDF cleanup | audio on PDF → re-add as source → infographic |
| Slide polish | generate → studio_revise (facts) → export PPTX |
| When | Action |
|---|---|
studio_status=failed |
Report error; suggest narrower sources or refined prompt |
| User dissatisfied | Offer one regen with refined prompt or slide revise |
| Slides need fixes | studio_revise — one change class per instruction |
| Cinematic near-miss | Download → re-upload as source → regenerate (unofficial) |
| Success | Done — do not proactively suggest iteration |
Reuse prompts via custom_instructions in studio_status output.
| Date | Source |
|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | Google Cinematic Video |
| Dec 2025 | Google Slide Decks Guide |
| Mar 2026 | Jeff Su — NotebookLM 2026 |
| Apr 2026 | MakeUseOf — Audio Prompts |
| Mar 2026 | Nova Express — Infographics |
| May 2026 | The AI Thinker — Cinematic Briefs |
| Ongoing | Google Help — Audio, Video, Reports/Data |