Google Drive Setup Guide

This guide will walk you through the process of setting up Google Drive authentication for FileSyncHub.

Prerequisites

Step 1: Create a Google Cloud Project

  1. Go to the Google Cloud Console
  2. Click on “Select a Project” at the top of the page
  3. Click “New Project”
  4. Enter a project name (e.g., “FileSyncHub”)
  5. Click “Create”

Step 2: Enable the Google Drive API

  1. Select your project in the Google Cloud Console
  2. Go to the API Library
  3. Search for “Google Drive API”
  4. Click on “Google Drive API”
  5. Click “Enable”
  1. Go to the OAuth consent screen
  2. Select “External” user type
  3. Fill in the required information:
    • App name: “FileSyncHub”
    • User support email: Your email
    • Developer contact information: Your email
  4. Click “Save and Continue”
  5. Add the following scope:
    • https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file
  6. Click “Save and Continue”
  7. Add your email address as a test user
  8. Click “Save and Continue”

Step 4: Create OAuth 2.0 Credentials

  1. Go to the Credentials page
  2. Click “Create Credentials”
  3. Select “OAuth client ID”
  4. Choose “Desktop app” as the application type
  5. Name it “FileSyncHub Desktop Client”
  6. Click “Create”
  7. Download the client configuration file (JSON)

Step 5: Configure FileSyncHub

  1. Create a credentials directory in your FileSyncHub configuration folder: 
    mkdir -p ~/.config/filesynchub/credentials
  2. Copy the downloaded JSON file to the credentials directory: 
    cp ~/Downloads/client_secret_*.json ~/.config/filesynchub/credentials/google_drive.json

Step 6: First-Time Authentication

  1. Run FileSyncHub with the TUI interface: 
    filesynchub sync --tui
  2. The application will show a popup with authentication instructions
  3. A browser window should open automatically
  4. If not, copy the provided URL and paste it into your browser
  5. Sign in with your Google account
  6. Grant the requested permissions
  7. Return to FileSyncHub

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  1. Authentication Timeout
    • Error: “Authentication timed out after 60 seconds”
    • Solution: Restart FileSyncHub and try again, being sure to complete the process within 60 seconds
  2. Invalid Client Configuration
    • Error: “Error reading client secret file”
    • Solution: Verify that the credentials file is correctly named and placed in the right directory
  3. Access Denied
    • Error: “Access denied” during Google sign-in
    • Solution: Make sure your email is added as a test user in the OAuth consent screen

Security Notes

Next Steps

Additional Resources