Automating Google Workspace with Google Apps Manager (GAM)Google Apps Manager (GAM) is a powerful command-line tool for administrators who manage Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). It enables automation of many tasks that would otherwise require repetitive, time-consuming steps in the Google Admin console. This article explains what GAM is, why automation matters for Workspace admins, how to install and configure GAM, common automation use cases and scripts, best practices, security considerations, and troubleshooting tips.
What is GAM?
Google Apps Manager (GAM) is an open-source command-line utility that interfaces with Google Workspace APIs to manage users, groups, organizational units, Drive files, calendar resources, Gmail settings, and more. GAM lets administrators perform bulk operations, automate routine maintenance, and integrate Google Workspace administration into scripts and scheduled jobs.
Why automate Google Workspace?
Automation saves time, reduces human error, and enforces consistency. Typical administrative pain points include:
- Bulk user provisioning and deprovisioning
- Regular license assignments and billing cleanups
- Group membership updates and access reviews
- Standardizing Drive and sharing settings
- Auditing and reporting for compliance
Using GAM, admins can turn these tasks into repeatable scripts that run on demand or via cron/Task Scheduler, freeing staff for higher-value work.
Installing and configuring GAM
Supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows (via WSL or native Python). GAM requires Python and access to Google Workspace APIs through a service account or OAuth client credentials.
Basic installation steps (summary):
- Ensure Python 3.x is installed.
- Download the latest GAM release from the official repository.
- Extract the archive and run the setup script (platform-specific).
- Create a Google Cloud project and enable required APIs (Admin SDK, Drive API, Gmail API, Calendar API, etc.).
- Create a service account, grant domain-wide delegation, and delegate the necessary scopes.
- Store the service account key JSON where GAM can access it and configure GAM to use that account.
- Test with a dry-run command like
gam info user [email protected].
Note: Official GAM docs provide detailed platform-specific instructions and updated API scopes. Always follow the latest guidance from the GAM project.
Authentication models: service account vs. OAuth
- Service account with domain-wide delegation is the most common for automation because it supports acting across the domain without user interaction.
- OAuth client credentials are sometimes used for interactive administration or when an admin wants commands to run under their own account.
When using a service account, grant the minimum necessary scopes and impersonate an admin account with the appropriate privileges.
Common automation tasks and example commands
Below are common workflows and illustrative GAM commands. Replace example domains, users, and file paths with real values.
-
Bulk user provisioning from CSV:
gam csv users.csv gam create user ~PrimaryEmail firstname ~FirstName lastname ~LastName password ~PasswordThis reads users.csv and creates accounts with the provided fields.
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Suspend or delete users who left the company:
gam csv offboard.csv gam update user ~Email suspended on # or to delete gam csv offboard.csv gam delete user ~Email -
Bulk license assignment:
gam csv licenses.csv gam user ~Email license assign SKUSKU_ID -
Add multiple users to a group:
gam csv add-to-group.csv gam update group ~GroupEmail add member ~UserEmail -
Export Drive file ownerships for compliance:
gam user ~AdminEmail print filelist query "mimeType!='application/vnd.google-apps.folder'" fields id,title,owners > all_files.csv -
Transfer Drive ownership when offboarding:
gam user [email protected] transfer drive to [email protected] -
Force password reset for set of users:
gam csv users.csv gam update user ~PrimaryEmail changepassword on -
Set Gmail forwarding or routing rules in bulk:
gam user ~Email update mailboxsettings forwarding address [email protected] -
Generate reports (user counts, 2FA status):
gam print users count gam print users query "isEnrolledIn2Sv=true" > 2fa_users.csv
Many GAM commands support the csv and multithread options to scale operations.
Scripting and scheduling
- Linux/macOS: use cron or systemd timers to run GAM scripts.
- Windows: use Task Scheduler or run within WSL.
- Containerize GAM scripts with a minimal image if you prefer running jobs in Kubernetes or a CI/CD pipeline.
Example cron job to run a nightly audit script:
0 2 * * * /usr/local/bin/gam csv users_to_check.csv gam update user ~PrimaryEmail checkPasswordStrength Always include logging and error-handling in scripts. Capture both stdout and stderr to log files and implement simple retry logic for transient API errors.
Best practices
- Principle of least privilege: grant only needed scopes and delegate to a minimal admin account.
- Use service accounts for non-interactive automation.
- Keep GAM up to date to support API changes.
- Use CSV templates and consistent column names to simplify scripts.
- Test scripts in a staging OU or test account before running domain-wide.
- Rate limits: design scripts with throttling and exponential backoff to handle API limits.
- Secure storage: keep service account keys and scripts in a secure vault or restricted filesystem.
- Audit logs: write operations to an audit trail (timestamped logs, operator ID, source script).
Security considerations
- Treat service account keys like sensitive credentials. Rotate keys periodically.
- Limit domain-wide delegation to a single admin account with narrowly-scoped roles.
- Monitor Admin audit logs for unexpected changes.
- Avoid embedding secrets in scripts. Use environment variables or secret managers.
- Use IP allowlists for servers running automation where feasible.
Troubleshooting tips
- Permission errors: verify domain-wide delegation, impersonation target, and scopes.
- API errors: check enabled APIs in Google Cloud Console.
- Rate limit errors: add pauses or reduce concurrency.
- Unexpected results: run commands with
--dryrun/test flags or on a single account first. - Update issues: ensure GAM version matches current API behaviors; check the GAM release notes.
Example automation workflow — Offboarding checklist
A typical offboarding script sequence:
- Suspend user account.
- Transfer Drive ownership to manager.
- Export user emails and save to archive.
- Remove group memberships.
- Revoke OAuth tokens and third-party app access.
- Revoke licenses and optionally delete account after retention period.
Sample pseudo-script:
gam update user [email protected] suspended on gam user [email protected] transfer drive to [email protected] gam user [email protected] export mailbox /path/to/archives/offboarded.mbox gam update group [email protected] remove member [email protected] gam user [email protected] revoke oauth gam user [email protected] license revoke SKUSKU_ID When not to use GAM
- For one-off GUI-only tasks where Admin console is more convenient for non-technical admins.
- If your org requires full change management with manual approval flows unless you integrate such flows around GAM scripts.
Resources
- GAM official documentation and GitHub repository for downloads, detailed commands, and latest scopes.
- Google Workspace Admin SDK and API reference for understanding limits and capabilities.
- Community scripts and examples from the GAM user community.
Automating Google Workspace with GAM reduces manual effort and improves consistency when done correctly. Start small, follow best practices for security and testing, and expand automation as confidence grows.
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