How to build CLI AI Agent with OpenAI Responses API + Zapier MCP

CLI Agent (OpenAI Responses + Zapier MCP)

A terminal chat UI that uses the OpenAI Responses API with Zapier MCP tools. Shows an ASCII banner on launch and provides a simple, chat-like experience with commands for help, powers, examples, clearing the screen, and exit.

Watch on YouTube:

Features

• Chat-style CLI with wrapped output and optional colors


• Zapier MCP integration (tool_choice: required) to perform actions across:
  
  
  
  
  • Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Calendar, Google Meet, Google Drive, Google Forms, Gmail, Telegram, WhatsApp
  
  
  
  
  
  



• ASCII banner on launch (optional)

Screenshots (Live Demo)

todo-list

terminal-chat-1

terminal-chat-2

terminal-chat-3

google-calendar

gmail-google-meet

gmail-invitation

telegram-chat

google-docs

zapier-dashboard-1

zapier-dashboard-2

google-sheets-responses

Step-by-step tutorial

1) Check prerequisites

• Python 3.9+ installed


• Two API keys available: OPENAI_API_KEY and ZAPIER_MCP_API_KEY
  

2) (Optional) Create and activate a virtual environment

python3 -m venv .venv

source .venv/bin/activate

3) Install dependencies

pip install openai python-dotenv art colorama

4) Configure environment variables

• Option A (macOS/Linux):
  

export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...

export ZAPIER_MCP_API_KEY=...

• Option B (.env file in project root; auto-loaded if python-dotenv is installed):
  

OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...

ZAPIER_MCP_API_KEY=...

5) Ensure your Zapier MCP account has access to the apps you plan to use

• At minimum, connect Gmail and Google Calendar for the meeting demo


• Optionally connect Google Docs, Sheets, Drive, Forms, Telegram, WhatsApp

6) Run the CLI

python main.py

• When prompted, optionally enter your display name


• Useful commands: /help, /powers, /examples, /clear, /exit
  

7) Try a quick workflow

• Schedule a meeting and email the attendee:
  

Schedule a Google Meet on 20 Oct 2025, 10:00–11:00 with John Doe.

My email [email protected], his email [email protected].

Send him a short, casual invite email about this coffee chat.

• Create a project brief in Docs:
  

Create a Google Doc titled “Project Zap” with sections: Overview, Goals, Timeline, Risks.

Share with [email protected].

• Start a budget in Sheets:
  

Create a budget Google Sheet with columns: Item, Cost, Owner. Add three sample rows.

8) Tips

• The CLI uses tool_choice="required" so the model will actually call Zapier MCP tools


• If art or colorama aren’t installed, the app falls back to plain output


• You can paste transcripts/notes after a meeting and ask: “Summarize and save to Google Docs”

9) Troubleshooting

• See the Troubleshooting section below for common issues

Requirements

• Python 3.9+


• Packages:
  
  
  
  
  • Required: openai
    
  
  
  • Optional: python-dotenv (load .env), art (ASCII banner), colorama (colors)
  
  
  
  
  
  

Install:

pip install openai python-dotenv art colorama

Environment variables

export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...

export ZAPIER_MCP_API_KEY=...

If you prefer, create a .env file with these keys; the app will attempt to load it if python-dotenv is installed.

Run

python main.py

On start you can optionally enter your display name. Use commands during chat:

• 
  /help – show help


• 
  /powers – list available integrations and abilities


• 
  /examples – sample prompts


• 
  /clear – clear the screen


• 
  /exit – quit

Example prompt

Schedule a meeting and send an invite:

Schedule a Google Meet on 20 Oct 2025, 10:00–11:00 with John Doe.

My email [email protected], his email [email protected].

Send him a short, casual invite email about this coffee chat.

Notes

• The CLI uses tool_choice="required" so the model will call Zapier MCP tools to complete tasks.


• If art or colorama aren’t installed, the app gracefully falls back to plain output.

Troubleshooting

• "OPENAI_API_KEY is not set" – export it as shown above.


• "ZAPIER_MCP_API_KEY is not set" – export your Zapier MCP API key.


• If no ASCII banner appears, install art, or ignore (optional).