GOOGLE_PLACES_API_FIXES.md

Google Places API Fixes

Issue: Invalid Place Types (400 Error)

Problem: The Google Places API (New) was returning 400 errors with messages like:

Invalid included_primary_types 'coworking_space'. See the list of supported types...

Root Cause: We were using place types from the legacy Places API that are not valid in the new API.

Solution

Updated all place type mappings to use only valid types from the Google Places API (New):

Place Type Mappings (getPlaceTypesForEvent)

Before:

lunch: ['restaurant', 'cafe', 'fast_food_restaurant', 'bakery'],
dinner: ['restaurant', 'bar', 'night_club'],
coffee: ['cafe', 'coffee_shop', 'bakery'],
meeting: ['cafe', 'restaurant', 'coworking_space'],
workout: ['gym', 'fitness_center', 'sports_club'],

After:

lunch: ['restaurant', 'cafe', 'bakery'],
dinner: ['restaurant', 'bar', 'night_club'],
coffee: ['cafe', 'bakery'],
meeting: ['cafe', 'restaurant', 'corporate_office'],
workout: ['gym', 'sports_complex'],

Invalid Types Removed

• fast_food_restaurant → Use restaurant instead
• coffee_shop → Use cafe instead
• coworking_space → Use corporate_office instead
• fitness_center → Use gym instead
• sports_club → Use sports_complex instead

Static Suggestions Updated

Also updated all static location suggestions to remove invalid types:

• Removed: healthy, fine_dining, meeting_space, club, fitness, crossfit, shopping_area, music_venue
• Replaced with valid types or generic establishment

Files Modified

1. src/renderer/services/location.ts

   • Updated getPlaceTypesForEvent() function
   • Updated getStaticSuggestions() function

2. GOOGLE_PLACES_NEW_API_SETUP.md

   • Added troubleshooting section for place type errors

Testing

After these changes:

1. Google Places API (New) autocomplete should work without 400 errors
2. Location suggestions should appear in smart scheduling
3. Static fallback should use valid place types

References

• Google Places API (New) Place Types
• Valid types are listed in Table A and Table B of the documentation