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n8n MCP Server - Documentation and tools for n8n nodes via Model Context Protocol with SSE support

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# n8n-MCP

[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
[![GitHub stars](https://img.shields.io/github/stars/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp?style=social)](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp)
[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-2.7.4-blue.svg)](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp)
[![Docker](https://img.shields.io/badge/docker-ghcr.io%2Fczlonkowski%2Fn8n--mcp-green.svg)](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp/pkgs/container/n8n-mcp)

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides AI assistants with comprehensive access to n8n node documentation, properties, and operations. Deploy in minutes to give Claude and other AI assistants deep knowledge about n8n's 525+ workflow automation nodes.

## Overview

n8n-MCP serves as a bridge between n8n's workflow automation platform and AI models, enabling them to understand and work with n8n nodes effectively. It provides structured access to:

- 📚 **525 n8n nodes** from both n8n-nodes-base and @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain
- 🔧 **Node properties** - 99% coverage with detailed schemas
- ⚡ **Node operations** - 63.6% coverage of available actions
- 📄 **Documentation** - 90% coverage from official n8n docs (including AI nodes)
- 🤖 **AI tools** - 263 AI-capable nodes detected with full documentation

## 🚀 Quick Start

Get n8n-MCP running in 5 minutes:

### Option 1: Docker (Easiest) 🚀

**Prerequisites:** Docker installed on your system

<details>
<summary><strong>📦 Install Docker</strong> (click to expand)</summary>

**macOS:**
```bash
# Using Homebrew
brew install --cask docker

# Or download from https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/
```

**Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):**
```bash
# Update package index
sudo apt-get update

# Install Docker
sudo apt-get install docker.io

# Start Docker service
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

# Add your user to docker group (optional, to run without sudo)
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
# Log out and back in for this to take effect
```

**Windows:**
```bash
# Option 1: Using winget (Windows Package Manager)
winget install Docker.DockerDesktop

# Option 2: Using Chocolatey
choco install docker-desktop

# Option 3: Download installer from https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/
```

**Verify installation:**
```bash
docker --version
```
</details>

```bash
# Pull the Docker image (~280MB, no n8n dependencies!)
docker pull ghcr.io/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp:latest
```

> **⚡ Ultra-optimized:** Our Docker image is 82% smaller than typical n8n images because it contains NO n8n dependencies - just the runtime MCP server with a pre-built database!

Add to Claude Desktop config:

**Basic configuration (documentation tools only):**
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-mcp": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e", "MCP_MODE=stdio",
        "-e", "LOG_LEVEL=error",
        "-e", "DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT=true",
        "ghcr.io/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

**Full configuration (with n8n management tools):**
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-mcp": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e", "MCP_MODE=stdio",
        "-e", "LOG_LEVEL=error",
        "-e", "DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT=true",
        "-e", "N8N_API_URL=https://your-n8n-instance.com",
        "-e", "N8N_API_KEY=your-api-key",
        "ghcr.io/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

> **Note**: The n8n API credentials are optional. Without them, you'll have access to all documentation and validation tools. With them, you'll additionally get workflow management capabilities (create, update, execute workflows).

**Important:** The `-i` flag is required for MCP stdio communication.

**Configuration file locations:**
- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Linux**: `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`

**Restart Claude Desktop after updating configuration** - That's it! 🎉

### Option 2: Local Installation

**Prerequisites:** [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) installed on your system

```bash
# 1. Clone and setup
git clone https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp.git
cd n8n-mcp
npm install
npm run build
npm run rebuild

# 2. Test it works
npm start
```

Add to Claude Desktop config:

**Basic configuration (documentation tools only):**
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/n8n-mcp/dist/mcp/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "MCP_MODE": "stdio",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "error",
        "DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

**Full configuration (with n8n management tools):**
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/n8n-mcp/dist/mcp/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "MCP_MODE": "stdio",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "error",
        "DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT": "true",
        "N8N_API_URL": "https://your-n8n-instance.com",
        "N8N_API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

> **Note**: The n8n API credentials can be configured either in a `.env` file (create from `.env.example`) or directly in the Claude config as shown above.

## 🤖 Claude Project Setup

For the best results when using n8n-MCP with Claude Projects, use these enhanced system instructions:

```markdown
You are an expert in n8n automation software using n8n-MCP tools. Your role is to design, build, and validate n8n workflows with maximum accuracy and efficiency.

## Core Workflow Process

1. **ALWAYS start with**: `tools_documentation()` to understand best practices and available tools.

2. **Discovery Phase** - Find the right nodes:
   - `search_nodes({query: 'keyword'})` - Search by functionality
   - `list_nodes({category: 'trigger'})` - Browse by category
   - `list_ai_tools()` - See AI-capable nodes (remember: ANY node can be an AI tool!)

3. **Configuration Phase** - Get node details efficiently:
   - `get_node_essentials(nodeType)` - Start here! Only 10-20 essential properties
   - `search_node_properties(nodeType, 'auth')` - Find specific properties
   - `get_node_for_task('send_email')` - Get pre-configured templates
   - `get_node_documentation(nodeType)` - Human-readable docs when needed

4. **Pre-Validation Phase** - Validate BEFORE building:
   - `validate_node_minimal(nodeType, config)` - Quick required fields check
   - `validate_node_operation(nodeType, config, profile)` - Full operation-aware validation
   - Fix any validation errors before proceeding

5. **Building Phase** - Create the workflow:
   - Use validated configurations from step 4
   - Connect nodes with proper structure
   - Add error handling where appropriate
   - Use expressions like $json, $node["NodeName"].json
   - Build the workflow in an artifact (unless the user asked to create in n8n instance)

6. **Workflow Validation Phase** - Validate complete workflow:
   - `validate_workflow(workflow)` - Complete validation including connections
   - `validate_workflow_connections(workflow)` - Check structure and AI tool connections
   - `validate_workflow_expressions(workflow)` - Validate all n8n expressions
   - Fix any issues found before deployment

7. **Deployment Phase** (if n8n API configured):
   - `n8n_create_workflow(workflow)` - Deploy validated workflow
   - `n8n_validate_workflow({id: 'workflow-id'})` - Post-deployment validation
   - `n8n_update_partial_workflow()` - Make incremental updates using diffs
   - `n8n_trigger_webhook_workflow()` - Test webhook workflows

## Key Insights

- **VALIDATE EARLY AND OFTEN** - Catch errors before they reach production
- **USE DIFF UPDATES** - Use n8n_update_partial_workflow for 80-90% token savings
- **ANY node can be an AI tool** - not just those with usableAsTool=true
- **Pre-validate configurations** - Use validate_node_minimal before building
- **Post-validate workflows** - Always validate complete workflows before deployment
- **Incremental updates** - Use diff operations for existing workflows
- **Test thoroughly** - Validate both locally and after deployment to n8n

## Validation Strategy

### Before Building:
1. validate_node_minimal() - Check required fields
2. validate_node_operation() - Full configuration validation
3. Fix all errors before proceeding

### After Building:
1. validate_workflow() - Complete workflow validation
2. validate_workflow_connections() - Structure validation
3. validate_workflow_expressions() - Expression syntax check

### After Deployment:
1. n8n_validate_workflow({id}) - Validate deployed workflow
2. n8n_list_executions() - Monitor execution status
3. n8n_update_partial_workflow() - Fix issues using diffs

## Response Structure

1. **Discovery**: Show available nodes and options
2. **Pre-Validation**: Validate node configurations first
3. **Configuration**: Show only validated, working configs
4. **Building**: Construct workflow with validated components
5. **Workflow Validation**: Full workflow validation results
6. **Deployment**: Deploy only after all validations pass
7. **Post-Validation**: Verify deployment succeeded

## Example Workflow

### 1. Discovery & Configuration
search_nodes({query: 'slack'})
get_node_essentials('n8n-nodes-base.slack')

### 2. Pre-Validation
validate_node_minimal('n8n-nodes-base.slack', {resource:'message', operation:'send'})
validate_node_operation('n8n-nodes-base.slack', fullConfig, 'runtime')

### 3. Build Workflow
// Create workflow JSON with validated configs

### 4. Workflow Validation
validate_workflow(workflowJson)
validate_workflow_connections(workflowJson)
validate_workflow_expressions(workflowJson)

### 5. Deploy (if configured)
n8n_create_workflow(validatedWorkflow)
n8n_validate_workflow({id: createdWorkflowId})

### 6. Update Using Diffs
n8n_update_partial_workflow({
  workflowId: id,
  operations: [
    {type: 'updateNode', nodeId: 'slack1', changes: {position: [100, 200]}}
  ]
})

## Important Rules

- ALWAYS validate before building
- ALWAYS validate after building
- NEVER deploy unvalidated workflows
- USE diff operations for updates (80-90% token savings)
- STATE validation results clearly
- FIX all errors before proceeding
```

Save these instructions in your Claude Project for optimal n8n workflow assistance with comprehensive validation.

## Features

- **🔍 Smart Node Search**: Find nodes by name, category, or functionality
- **📖 Essential Properties**: Get only the 10-20 properties that matter (NEW in v2.4.0)
- **🎯 Task Templates**: Pre-configured settings for common automation tasks
- **✅ Config Validation**: Validate node configurations before deployment
- **🔗 Dependency Analysis**: Understand property relationships and conditions
- **💡 Working Examples**: Real-world examples for immediate use
- **⚡ Fast Response**: Average query time ~12ms with optimized SQLite
- **🌐 Universal Compatibility**: Works with any Node.js version

## 💬 Why n8n-MCP? A Testimonial from Claude

> *"Before MCP, I was translating. Now I'm composing. And that changes everything about how we can build automation."*

When Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant, tested n8n-MCP, the results were transformative:

**Without MCP:** "I was basically playing a guessing game. 'Is it `scheduleTrigger` or `schedule`? Does it take `interval` or `rule`?' I'd write what seemed logical, but n8n has its own conventions that you can't just intuit. I made six different configuration errors in a simple HackerNews scraper."

**With MCP:** "Everything just... worked. Instead of guessing, I could ask `get_node_essentials()` and get exactly what I needed - not a 100KB JSON dump, but the actual 5-10 properties that matter. What took 45 minutes now takes 3 minutes."

**The Real Value:** "It's about confidence. When you're building automation workflows, uncertainty is expensive. One wrong parameter and your workflow fails at 3 AM. With MCP, I could validate my configuration before deployment. That's not just time saved - that's peace of mind."

[Read the full interview →](docs/CLAUDE_INTERVIEW.md)

## 📡 Available MCP Tools

Once connected, Claude can use these powerful tools:

### Core Tools
- **`tools_documentation`** - Get documentation for any MCP tool (START HERE!)
- **`list_nodes`** - List all n8n nodes with filtering options
- **`get_node_info`** - Get comprehensive information about a specific node
- **`get_node_essentials`** - Get only essential properties with examples (10-20 properties instead of 200+)
- **`search_nodes`** - Full-text search across all node documentation
- **`search_node_properties`** - Find specific properties within nodes
- **`list_ai_tools`** - List all AI-capable nodes (ANY node can be used as AI tool!)
- **`get_node_as_tool_info`** - Get guidance on using any node as an AI tool

### Advanced Tools
- **`get_node_for_task`** - Pre-configured node settings for common tasks
- **`list_tasks`** - Discover available task templates
- **`validate_node_operation`** - Validate node configurations (operation-aware, profiles support)
- **`validate_node_minimal`** - Quick validation for just required fields
- **`validate_workflow`** - Complete workflow validation including AI tool connections
- **`validate_workflow_connections`** - Check workflow structure and AI tool connections
- **`validate_workflow_expressions`** - Validate n8n expressions including $fromAI()
- **`get_property_dependencies`** - Analyze property visibility conditions
- **`get_node_documentation`** - Get parsed documentation from n8n-docs
- **`get_database_statistics`** - View database metrics and coverage

### n8n Management Tools (Optional - Requires API Configuration)
These powerful tools allow you to manage n8n workflows directly from Claude. They're only available when you provide `N8N_API_URL` and `N8N_API_KEY` in your configuration.

#### Workflow Management
- **`n8n_create_workflow`** - Create new workflows with nodes and connections
- **`n8n_get_workflow`** - Get complete workflow by ID
- **`n8n_get_workflow_details`** - Get workflow with execution statistics
- **`n8n_get_workflow_structure`** - Get simplified workflow structure
- **`n8n_get_workflow_minimal`** - Get minimal workflow info (ID, name, active status)
- **`n8n_update_full_workflow`** - Update entire workflow (complete replacement)
- **`n8n_update_partial_workflow`** - Update workflow using diff operations (NEW in v2.7.0!)
- **`n8n_delete_workflow`** - Delete workflows permanently
- **`n8n_list_workflows`** - List workflows with filtering and pagination
- **`n8n_validate_workflow`** - Validate workflows already in n8n by ID (NEW in v2.6.3)

#### Execution Management
- **`n8n_trigger_webhook_workflow`** - Trigger workflows via webhook URL
- **`n8n_get_execution`** - Get execution details by ID
- **`n8n_list_executions`** - List executions with status filtering
- **`n8n_delete_execution`** - Delete execution records

#### System Tools
- **`n8n_health_check`** - Check n8n API connectivity and features
- **`n8n_diagnostic`** - Troubleshoot management tools visibility and configuration issues
- **`n8n_list_available_tools`** - List all available management tools

### Example Usage

```typescript
// Get essentials for quick configuration
get_node_essentials("nodes-base.httpRequest")

// Find nodes for a specific task
search_nodes({ query: "send email gmail" })

// Get pre-configured settings
get_node_for_task("send_email")

// Validate before deployment
validate_node_operation({
  nodeType: "nodes-base.httpRequest",
  config: { method: "POST", url: "..." },
  profile: "runtime" // or "minimal", "ai-friendly", "strict"
})

// Quick required field check
validate_node_minimal({
  nodeType: "nodes-base.slack",
  config: { resource: "message", operation: "send" }
})
```

## 💻 Local Development Setup

For contributors and advanced users:

**Prerequisites:**
- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) (any version - automatic fallback if needed)
- npm or yarn
- Git

```bash
# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp.git
cd n8n-mcp

# 2. Clone n8n docs (optional but recommended)
git clone https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n-docs.git ../n8n-docs

# 3. Install and build
npm install
npm run build

# 4. Initialize database
npm run rebuild

# 5. Start the server
npm start          # stdio mode for Claude Desktop
npm run start:http # HTTP mode for remote access
```

### Development Commands

```bash
# Build & Test
npm run build          # Build TypeScript
npm run rebuild        # Rebuild node database
npm run test-nodes     # Test critical nodes
npm run validate       # Validate node data
npm test               # Run all tests

# Update Dependencies
npm run update:n8n:check  # Check for n8n updates
npm run update:n8n        # Update n8n packages

# Run Server
npm run dev            # Development with auto-reload
npm run dev:http       # HTTP dev mode
```

## 📚 Documentation

### Setup Guides
- [Installation Guide](./docs/INSTALLATION.md) - Comprehensive installation instructions
- [Claude Desktop Setup](./docs/README_CLAUDE_SETUP.md) - Detailed Claude configuration
- [Docker Guide](./docs/DOCKER_README.md) - Advanced Docker deployment options
- [MCP Quick Start](./docs/MCP_QUICK_START_GUIDE.md) - Get started quickly with n8n-MCP

### Feature Documentation
- [Workflow Diff Operations](./docs/workflow-diff-examples.md) - Token-efficient workflow updates (NEW!)
- [Transactional Updates](./docs/transactional-updates-example.md) - Two-pass workflow editing
- [MCP Essentials](./docs/MCP_ESSENTIALS_README.md) - AI-optimized tools guide
- [Validation System](./docs/validation-improvements-v2.4.2.md) - Smart validation profiles

### Development & Deployment
- [HTTP Deployment](./docs/HTTP_DEPLOYMENT.md) - Remote server setup guide
- [Dependency Management](./docs/DEPENDENCY_UPDATES.md) - Keeping n8n packages in sync
- [Claude's Interview](./docs/CLAUDE_INTERVIEW.md) - Real-world impact of n8n-MCP

### Project Information
- [Change Log](./CHANGELOG.md) - Complete version history
- [Claude Instructions](./CLAUDE.md) - AI guidance for this codebase
- [MCP Tools Reference](#-available-mcp-tools) - Complete list of available tools

## 📊 Metrics & Coverage

Current database coverage (n8n v1.99.1):

- ✅ **525/525** nodes loaded (100%)
- ✅ **520** nodes with properties (99%)
- ✅ **470** nodes with documentation (90%)
- ✅ **263** AI-capable tools detected
- ✅ **AI Agent & LangChain nodes** fully documented
- ⚡ **Average response time**: ~12ms
- 💾 **Database size**: ~15MB (optimized)

## 🔄 Recent Updates

### v2.7.4 - Self-Documenting MCP Tools
- ✅ **RENAMED**: `start_here_workflow_guide` → `tools_documentation` for clarity
- ✅ **NEW**: Depth parameter - Control documentation detail with "essentials" or "full"
- ✅ **NEW**: Per-tool documentation - Get help for any specific MCP tool by name
- ✅ **CONCISE**: Essential info by default, comprehensive docs on demand
- ✅ **LLM-FRIENDLY**: Plain text format instead of JSON for better readability
- ✅ **QUICK HELP**: Call without parameters for immediate quick reference
- ✅ **8 TOOLS DOCUMENTED**: Complete documentation for most commonly used tools

### v2.7.0 - Diff-Based Workflow Editing with Transactional Updates
- ✅ **NEW**: `n8n_update_partial_workflow` tool - Update workflows using diff operations
- ✅ **RENAMED**: `n8n_update_workflow` → `n8n_update_full_workflow` for clarity
- ✅ **80-90% TOKEN SAVINGS**: Only send changes, not entire workflow JSON
- ✅ **13 OPERATIONS**: addNode, removeNode, updateNode, moveNode, enable/disable, connections, settings, tags
- ✅ **TRANSACTIONAL**: Two-pass processing allows adding nodes and connections in any order
- ✅ **5 OPERATION LIMIT**: Ensures reliability and atomic updates
- ✅ **VALIDATION MODE**: Test changes with `validateOnly: true` before applying
- ✅ **IMPROVED DOCS**: Comprehensive parameter documentation and examples

### v2.6.3 - n8n Instance Workflow Validation
- ✅ **NEW**: `n8n_validate_workflow` tool - Validate workflows directly from n8n instance by ID
- ✅ **FETCHES**: Retrieves workflow from n8n API and runs comprehensive validation
- ✅ **CONSISTENT**: Uses same WorkflowValidator for reliability
- ✅ **FLEXIBLE**: Supports all validation profiles and options
- ✅ **INTEGRATED**: Part of complete workflow lifecycle management
- ✅ **SIMPLE**: AI agents need only workflow ID, no JSON required

### v2.6.2 - Enhanced Workflow Creation Validation
- ✅ **NEW**: Node type validation - Verifies node types actually exist in n8n
- ✅ **FIXED**: Critical issue with `nodes-base.webhook` validation - now caught before database lookup
- ✅ **NEW**: Smart suggestions for common mistakes (e.g., `webhook` → `n8n-nodes-base.webhook`)
- ✅ **NEW**: Minimum viable workflow validation - Prevents single-node workflows (except webhooks)
- ✅ **NEW**: Empty connection detection - Catches multi-node workflows with no connections
- ✅ **ENHANCED**: Error messages with clear guidance and examples
- ✅ **PREVENTS**: Broken workflows that show as question marks in n8n UI

See [CHANGELOG.md](./docs/CHANGELOG.md) for full version history.

## 📦 License

MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.

**Attribution appreciated!** If you use n8n-MCP, consider:
- ⭐ Starring this repository
- 💬 Mentioning it in your project
- 🔗 Linking back to this repo

## 🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please:
1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Run tests (`npm test`)
4. Submit a pull request

## 👏 Acknowledgments

- [n8n](https://n8n.io) team for the workflow automation platform
- [Anthropic](https://anthropic.com) for the Model Context Protocol
- All contributors and users of this project

---

<div align="center">
  <strong>Built with ❤️ for the n8n community</strong><br>
  <sub>Making AI + n8n workflow creation delightful</sub>
</div>

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