n8n-workflow-generation

name	n8n-workflow-generation
description	Use this when the user requests a new n8n workflow or asks to automate a process. Searches relevant nodes with search_n8n_docs, drafts the workflow YAML, validates it with validate_n8n_workflow, then saves it via create_artifact.
tags	["n8n","workflow","automation"]

n8n-workflow-generation

When to use

Apply this skill whenever the user asks you to build, generate, scaffold, or automate an n8n workflow - phrasings like "create a workflow that…", "automate X with n8n", "I need a flow that does Y", or a description of a trigger plus one or more actions. The skill produces a complete, validated workflow YAML and saves it as an artifact for download.

Workflow

Execute these steps in order. Do not skip steps 3 or 4.

Step 1 - Search for relevant nodes

Call search_n8n_docs for each capability the workflow needs (trigger, integrations, transformations, output). Use the node_type and category filters to narrow results when the request mentions a specific service or when you only need triggers vs. actions.

Step 2 - Draft the workflow YAML

Compose a complete n8n workflow YAML with:

• name: a descriptive workflow name.
• nodes: one entry per node, each with id, name, type (must match n8n-nodes-base.* or @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.*), parameters (use {} when none are needed), and position as [x, y].
• connections: list every link between nodes by their ids, with sourceIndex and targetIndex.

Bias toward including a trigger node (webhook, schedule, manual, …) - without one the workflow cannot run automatically.

Step 3 - Validate (mandatory)

Call validate_n8n_workflow with the drafted YAML. If the result is INVALID, fix every reported error and re-run validation. Repeat until the validator returns VALID. Treat warnings as informational unless the user asked for a production-grade flow, in which case address them too.

Step 4 - Save the artifact (mandatory)

Once validation passes, call create_artifact with:

• A descriptive filename ending in .yaml (e.g. customer_onboarding_workflow.yaml).
• The validated YAML as content.

Never inline the full YAML in the chat response - it always goes through create_artifact.

Step 5 - Respond concisely

Reply with:

1. A 2–3 sentence summary of what the workflow does.
2. The artifact download link.
3. A short bulleted list of follow-up configuration the user must do (credentials, webhook URLs, environment variables, etc.).

Tools

This skill orchestrates three tools, in this order:

1. search_n8n_docs - discover the right node types and parameters.
2. validate_n8n_workflow - schema check before persistence.
3. create_artifact - built-in tool that persists the YAML for download.

Example response

I've created a customer onboarding workflow with a webhook trigger, Airtable lookup, welcome email, and Slack notification.

Download: customer_onboarding_workflow.yaml

Configuration needed:

• Add Airtable API credentials
• Configure the email service (Gmail/SendGrid)
• Add a Slack webhook URL
• Point your form at the webhook URL emitted by n8n