build-n8n-workflow

name	build-n8n-workflow
description	Build a workflow in this n8n instance without the n8n MCP — using the @n8n/workflow-sdk (parse + validate, locally) and the n8n REST API (create). Use when the user asks to create/automate an n8n workflow. This skill IS the recipe; the n8n CLI tool is the only primitive you call.
version	1.0.0
license	MIT

Build an n8n workflow (SDK + REST, no MCP)

n8n ships a 25-tool MCP to build workflows. You don't need it. The same capability is here as: one CLI primitive backed by @n8n/workflow-sdk (parse code → JSON, validate — locally) and the n8n REST API (create). This skill is the procedure; follow it in order.

The CLI: node src/n8n-skill.mjs <reference|search-nodes|node-types|validate|create>. These map 1:1 onto the MCP's build tools (get_sdk_reference, search_nodes, get_node_types, validate_workflow, create_workflow_from_code).

Recipe

1. Learn the syntax (once). Run node src/n8n-skill.mjs reference patterns (and reference rules if needed). This is the SDK reference, straight from the package — the equivalent of the MCP's get_sdk_reference.

   Unfamiliar with which node to use, or its parameters? search-nodes <need> gives node-selection guidance; node-types <type,type> gives exact parameters when a nodes.json is configured (see below). For the common nodes the templates above + the validate loop are enough — don't over-fetch.

2. Write the workflow code. Plain SDK code, no import line — the builder functions (workflow, trigger, node, ifElse, switchCase, merge, splitInBatches, expr, …) are injected. Shape:

   const start = trigger({ type: 'n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger', version: 1.2,
     config: { name: 'Schedule', parameters: { rule: { interval: [ { field: 'cronExpression', expression: '0 9 * * *' } ] } } } });
   const slack = node({ type: 'n8n-nodes-base.slack', version: 2.3,
     config: { name: 'Slack', parameters: { resource: 'message', operation: 'post',
       select: 'channel', channelId: { mode: 'name', value: 'general' }, text: 'Hello' } } });
   export default workflow('id', 'My workflow').add(start).to(slack);
   

   Compose with .add(<trigger>) then .to(<node>) in execution order.

3. Validate before creating. Pipe the code to the CLI: printf '%s' "<code>" | node src/n8n-skill.mjs validate It returns { valid, errors, warnings } (this runs validateWorkflow from the SDK locally — the equivalent of the MCP's validate_workflow). If not valid, fix the code and re-validate. Do not create invalid code. This local loop is how you get parameters right without a live get_node_types: the validator names the bad parameter; fix and re-run.

4. Create. printf '%s' "<code>" | node src/n8n-skill.mjs create It parses, validates, and POSTs to the n8n REST API, returning { created: true, id } (the equivalent of create_workflow_from_code). Report the id. The workflow is created as an inactive draft; do not activate unless asked.

Common node types

n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger (1.2) · n8n-nodes-base.webhook (2) · n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest (4.2) · n8n-nodes-base.set (3.4) · n8n-nodes-base.slack (2.3) · n8n-nodes-base.if · n8n-nodes-base.code. For exact parameters, consult reference patterns.

Rules

• No import statement in the code; functions are injected.
• Always validate until clean before create.
• One create. Do not poll or list afterwards.
• If validation fails 3× in a row, report the last error instead of looping.

Done criteria

create returned { created: true, id } for a workflow matching the request.