How-to Updated October 2026

How to add a bot to Google Chat

Google Chat bots are called Chat apps. You can install one from the Google Workspace Marketplace, or build one with Apps Script or your own server. This guide covers both, plus the admin settings that most often get in the way.

Start with Google Workspace All guides
Bots are "Chat apps"Installed from the Google Workspace Marketplace
Admins decideThe Admin console controls which Marketplace apps users can install
DMs and spacesMessage the bot directly, or add it to a space and @mention it
Build your ownApps Script or an HTTP endpoint, registered in Google Cloud
Before You Start

What you need

  • A Google Workspace account (Chat apps are not available on personal Gmail accounts for most business bots).
  • A Workspace admin, if your domain restricts Marketplace apps.
  • For an AI bot that answers from documents: the documents (Drive files work) and an OpenAI account if the bot uses your own key.
Step by Step

Add a ready-made AI bot to Google Chat

  1. 1

    Install from the Workspace Marketplace

    Search the Google Workspace Marketplace for the app, or start from the vendor's site. With ChatGridAI: sign in with Google Workspace, open the dashboard and choose Install Bot.

  2. 2

    Allow it for your domain

    If Marketplace apps are restricted, a Workspace admin opens the Admin console, goes to Apps, then Google Workspace Marketplace apps, and allows or installs the app for the domain or for selected groups.

  3. 3

    Message the bot

    In Google Chat, start a new chat, search for the app name and send a message. A direct message is the quickest test.

  4. 4

    Add it to a space

    Open the space, choose Apps and integrations, add the app, then @mention it in a message. Start with one pilot space such as Ask HR.

  5. 5

    Tell people where it is

    Post a short note in the space with three example questions. Most adoption comes from people seeing a colleague get a good answer.

Custom Bots

Building your own Google Chat bot

To build a Chat app yourself: create a Google Cloud project, enable the Google Chat API, and in the Chat API configuration set the app's name, avatar and connection (Apps Script project or HTTP endpoint). Your code receives message events and returns replies. Publish it to your domain through the Google Workspace Marketplace SDK.

Google's codelabs cover a simple bot well. Making it answer from your documents with citations and access control is the bigger job. See ChatGPT in Google Chat for the three approaches compared.

Troubleshooting

When the bot does not show up or reply

  • The app is not allowed: check the Marketplace app settings in the Admin console.
  • Chat apps are turned off: in the Admin console under Google Chat settings, check that users can install Chat apps.
  • No reply in a space: the app has to be added to that space, and people need to @mention it.
  • The bot replies but knows nothing: check that documents were added to the bot's group for that user.
  • It works for you but not for others: check that the person was added as a member.
FAQ

Common questions

Install the Chat app from the Google Workspace Marketplace (or from the vendor's dashboard), make sure your admin allows it, then message it directly or add it to a space and @mention it.
Google's built-in assistant in Chat is Gemini, on paid Workspace plans. It works for each user. For a shared bot that answers HR or IT questions from your company documents, teams add a Chat app such as ChatGridAI.
Yes. Create a Google Cloud project, enable the Google Chat API, configure the app with Apps Script or an HTTP endpoint, and publish it to your domain. Adding answers from your own documents is the part that takes the most work.
Yes. Add the app to the space and @mention it. ChatGridAI also works in direct messages and group chats.
For ChatGridAI, under 30 minutes for the whole setup. A custom Chat app takes days to weeks, depending on how much it needs to do.

Add an AI bot to Google Chat in under 30 minutes

Sign in with Google Workspace, connect your OpenAI key, add your Drive documents and install the bot.

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