Expert Claude Code skills for building flawless n8n workflows using the n8n-mcp MCP server
This repository contains 5 complementary Claude Code skills that teach AI assistants how to build production-ready n8n workflows using the n8n-mcp MCP server.
Building n8n workflows programmatically can be challenging. Common issues include:
- Using MCP tools incorrectly or inefficiently
- Getting stuck in validation error loops
- Not knowing which workflow patterns to use
- Misconfiguring nodes and their dependencies
These skills solve these problems by teaching Claude:
- β Correct n8n expression syntax ({{}} patterns)
- β How to use n8n-mcp tools effectively
- β Proven workflow patterns from real-world usage
- β Validation error interpretation and fixing
- β Operation-aware node configuration
Teaches correct n8n expression syntax and common patterns.
Activates when: Writing expressions, using {{}} syntax, accessing $json/$node variables, troubleshooting expression errors.
Key Features:
- Core variables ($json, $node, $now, $env)
- Critical gotcha: Webhook data is under
$json.body - Common mistakes catalog with fixes
- When NOT to use expressions (Code nodes!)
Expert guide for using n8n-mcp MCP tools effectively.
Activates when: Searching for nodes, validating configurations, accessing templates, managing workflows.
Key Features:
- Tool selection guide (which tool for which task)
- nodeType format differences (nodes-base.* vs n8n-nodes-base.*)
- Validation profiles (minimal/runtime/ai-friendly/strict)
- Smart parameters (branch="true" for IF nodes)
- Auto-sanitization system explained
Most Important: Teaches correct MCP tool usage patterns and parameter formats
Build workflows using 5 proven architectural patterns.
Activates when: Creating workflows, connecting nodes, designing automation.
Key Features:
- 5 proven patterns (webhook processing, HTTP API, database, AI, scheduled)
- Workflow creation checklist
- Real examples from 2,653+ n8n templates
- Connection best practices
- Pattern selection guide
Interpret validation errors and guide fixing.
Activates when: Validation fails, debugging workflow errors, handling false positives.
Key Features:
- Validation loop workflow
- Real error catalog
- Auto-sanitization behavior explained
- False positives guide
- Profile selection for different stages
Operation-aware node configuration guidance.
Activates when: Configuring nodes, understanding property dependencies, setting up AI workflows.
Key Features:
- Property dependency rules (e.g., sendBody β contentType)
- Operation-specific requirements
- AI connection types (8 types for AI Agent workflows)
- Common configuration patterns
Write effective JavaScript code in n8n Code nodes.
Activates when: Writing JavaScript in Code nodes, troubleshooting Code node errors, making HTTP requests with $helpers, working with dates.
Key Features:
- Data access patterns ($input.all(), $input.first(), $input.item)
- Critical gotcha: Webhook data under
$json.body - Correct return format:
[{json: {...}}] - Built-in functions ($helpers.httpRequest(), DateTime, $jmespath())
- Top 5 error patterns with solutions (covering 62%+ of failures)
- 10 production-tested patterns
Write Python code in n8n Code nodes with proper limitations awareness.
Activates when: Writing Python in Code nodes, need to know Python limitations, working with standard library.
Key Features:
- Important: Use JavaScript for 95% of use cases
- Python data access (_input, _json, _node)
- Critical limitation: No external libraries (requests, pandas, numpy)
- Standard library reference (json, datetime, re, etc.)
- Workarounds for missing libraries
- Common Python patterns for n8n
- n8n-mcp MCP server installed and configured (Installation Guide)
- Claude Code, Claude.ai, or Claude API access
.mcp.jsonconfigured with n8n-mcp server
Method 1: Plugin Installation (Recommended)
# Install directly as a Claude Code plugin
/plugin install czlonkowski/n8n-skillsMethod 2: Via Marketplace
# Add as marketplace, then browse and install
/plugin marketplace add czlonkowski/n8n-skills
# Then browse available plugins
/plugin install
# Select "n8n-mcp-skills" from the listMethod 3: Manual Installation
# 1. Clone this repository
git clone https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-skills.git
# 2. Copy skills to your Claude Code skills directory
cp -r n8n-skills/skills/* ~/.claude/skills/
# 3. Reload Claude Code
# Skills will activate automatically- Download individual skill folders from
skills/ - Zip each skill folder
- Upload via Settings β Capabilities β Skills
See docs/INSTALLATION.md for detailed instructions.
Skills activate automatically when relevant queries are detected:
"How do I write n8n expressions?"
β Activates: n8n Expression Syntax
"Find me a Slack node"
β Activates: n8n MCP Tools Expert
"Build a webhook workflow"
β Activates: n8n Workflow Patterns
"Why is validation failing?"
β Activates: n8n Validation Expert
"How do I configure the HTTP Request node?"
β Activates: n8n Node Configuration
"How do I access webhook data in a Code node?"
β Activates: n8n Code JavaScript
"Can I use pandas in Python Code node?"
β Activates: n8n Code Python
When you ask: "Build and validate a webhook to Slack workflow"
- n8n Workflow Patterns identifies webhook processing pattern
- n8n MCP Tools Expert searches for webhook and Slack nodes
- n8n Node Configuration guides node setup
- n8n Code JavaScript helps process webhook data with proper .body access
- n8n Expression Syntax helps with data mapping in other nodes
- n8n Validation Expert validates the final workflow
All skills compose seamlessly!
- Installation Guide - Detailed installation for all platforms
- Usage Guide - How to use skills effectively
- Development Guide - Contributing and testing
- MCP Testing Log - Real tool responses used in skills
Each skill includes 3+ evaluations for quality assurance:
# Run evaluations (if testing framework available)
npm test
# Or manually test with Claude
claude-code --skill n8n-expression-syntax "Test webhook data access"Contributions welcome! Please see DEVELOPMENT.md for guidelines.
- Evaluation-First: Write test scenarios before implementation
- MCP-Informed: Test tools, document real responses
- Iterative: Test against evaluations, iterate until 100% pass
- Concise: Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines
- Real Examples: All examples from real templates/tools
MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.
Conceived by Romuald CzΕonkowski
- Website: www.aiadvisors.pl/en
- Part of the n8n-mcp project
- 7 complementary skills that work together
- 525+ n8n nodes supported
- 2,653+ workflow templates for examples
- 10 production-tested Code node patterns
- Comprehensive error catalogs and troubleshooting guides
Ready to build flawless n8n workflows? Get started now! π
