n8n

name	n8n
description	Complete n8n skill — workflow building, node configuration, JavaScript/Python code nodes, expression syntax, validation, MCP tools, credentials, administration, Docker deployment, backup/restore, internal API, and troubleshooting. Auto-triggers on any n8n task including workflow creation, node configuration, code nodes, expressions, validation errors, credential management, instance administration, n8n setup, n8n upgrade, n8n backup, and n8n API usage.
disable-model-invocation	false
user-invokable	true
argument-hint	n8n task description

n8n

Complete skill for building, managing, and administering n8n workflows.

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How to Use This Skill

This skill covers 9 domains. Each has its own reference file with detailed guidance.

Workflow Building (from czlonkowski/n8n-skills)

Domain	Reference	When to use
Workflow Patterns	czlonkowski/skills/n8n-workflow-patterns/SKILL.md	Building new workflows, choosing architecture (webhook, HTTP API, database, AI agent, scheduled)
Node Configuration	czlonkowski/skills/n8n-node-configuration/SKILL.md	Configuring nodes, understanding property dependencies, required fields by operation
Code — JavaScript	czlonkowski/skills/n8n-code-javascript/SKILL.md	Writing JS in Code nodes, $input/$json/$node syntax, $helpers.httpRequest(), DateTime
Code — Python	czlonkowski/skills/n8n-code-python/SKILL.md	Writing Python in Code nodes, _input/_json syntax, standard library, limitations
Expression Syntax	czlonkowski/skills/n8n-expression-syntax/SKILL.md	Writing {{ }} expressions, $json/$node variables, fixing expression errors
Validation	czlonkowski/skills/n8n-validation-expert/SKILL.md	Interpreting validation errors/warnings, false positives, validation profiles
MCP Tools	czlonkowski/skills/n8n-mcp-tools-expert/SKILL.md	Using n8n MCP tools effectively — tool selection, parameter formats, common patterns

Additional Domains

Domain	Reference	When to use
Credentials	credentials/SKILL.md	Credential types, REST API credential CRUD, HTTP Request auth modes, httpCustomAuth JSON format, predefinedCredentialType vs genericCredentialType
Administration	administration/SKILL.md	Instance operations the MCP doesn't cover — Docker, backup/restore, CLI commands, internal API, community packages, SSO, upgrades, troubleshooting

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Quick Decision: Which Tool to Use

You want to...	Tool
Create/edit/delete workflows	MCP (n8n_create_workflow, n8n_update_partial_workflow)
Search nodes, get schema	MCP (search_nodes, get_node)
Validate workflow or node	MCP (n8n_validate_workflow, validate_node)
Auto-fix workflow issues	MCP (n8n_autofix_workflow)
Deploy a template	MCP (n8n_deploy_template)
Test/trigger a workflow	MCP (n8n_test_workflow)
Manage executions	MCP (n8n_executions)
Create/update credentials	Public REST API (/api/v1/credentials)
Test a credential	Internal API (POST /credentials/test) — see credentials
Install community packages	Internal API (POST /community-packages) — see administration
Export decrypted credentials	CLI (n8n export:credentials --decrypted) — see administration
Backup/restore database	CLI / Docker — see administration
Upgrade n8n	Docker — see administration

Priority: MCP → Public API → Internal API → CLI → Docker/Infra.

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Core Concepts (Quick Reference)

Webhook Data Access

// CRITICAL: webhook data is nested under .body
const data = $input.first().json.body;  // NOT $input.first().json

Code Node Return Format

// MUST return array of {json: {...}} objects
return items.map(item => ({
  json: { ...item.json, processed: true }
}));

Expression Syntax

{{ $json.fieldName }}           // Current item field
{{ $node["NodeName"].json }}    // Another node's output
{{ $now.toISO() }}              // Current timestamp
{{ $env.MY_VAR }}               // Environment variable

Credential Linking (in workflow JSON)

{
  "credentials": {
    "httpHeaderAuth": { "id": "CRED_ID", "name": "My API Key" }
  }
}