> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/czlonkowski/n8n-skills/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> n8n-skills is a collection of 7 Claude Code skills that teach AI assistants how to build production-ready n8n workflows using the n8n-mcp MCP server.

## What is n8n-skills?

n8n-skills is a collection of **7 complementary Claude Code skills** that give AI assistants expert knowledge for building n8n workflows. Each skill covers a specific domain — expression syntax, MCP tool usage, workflow architecture, validation, node configuration, and code writing in JavaScript and Python.

Skills activate **automatically** when your query matches their domain. You don't invoke them manually; they work in the background, providing Claude with the right context at the right time.

## Architecture

n8n-skills works by combining two components:

| Component              | Role                                                                                               |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **n8n-mcp MCP server** | Data access — 525+ nodes, validation engine, 2,653+ templates, workflow management                 |
| **Claude skills**      | Expert guidance — how to use MCP tools correctly, which patterns to apply, how to interpret errors |

Together, they create an expert workflow builder with deep n8n knowledge baked in.

<Note>
  The n8n-mcp MCP server must be installed and configured before the skills can access node data, templates, or workflow management tools. See [Installation](/installation) to get set up.
</Note>

## The 7 skills

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Expression Syntax" icon="code" href="/skills/expression-syntax">
    Master n8n's `{{}}` expression syntax, core variables (`$json`, `$node`, `$now`, `$env`), and the critical webhook `.body` gotcha
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP Tools Expert" icon="wrench" href="/skills/mcp-tools-expert">
    Use n8n-mcp tools correctly — right tool for each task, correct `nodeType` format, and the right validation profile
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workflow Patterns" icon="diagram-project" href="/skills/workflow-patterns">
    5 proven architectural patterns: webhook processing, HTTP API integration, database, AI agent, and scheduled automation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Validation Expert" icon="shield-check" href="/skills/validation-expert">
    Interpret validation errors, handle false positives, understand auto-sanitization, and choose the right validation profile
  </Card>

  <Card title="Node Configuration" icon="sliders" href="/skills/node-configuration">
    Operation-aware configuration with property dependency chains (e.g. `sendBody → contentType`) and all 8 AI connection types
  </Card>

  <Card title="Code: JavaScript" icon="js" href="/skills/code-javascript">
    Write JavaScript in Code nodes with correct data access patterns, `$helpers`, `DateTime`, and the top 5 error patterns
  </Card>

  <Card title="Code: Python" icon="python" href="/skills/code-python">
    Use Python in Code nodes with full awareness of library limitations — no `requests`, `pandas`, or `numpy` available
  </Card>

  <Card title="Skills Overview" icon="grid" href="/skills/overview">
    See how all 7 skills complement each other and which queries trigger each one
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Why these skills exist

Building n8n workflows programmatically has a set of common failure modes:

* Using MCP tools with incorrect parameter formats
* Getting stuck in validation error loops
* Accessing webhook data at the wrong path (`$json.name` instead of `$json.body.name`)
* Misconfiguring nodes with hidden property dependencies
* Not knowing which workflow pattern fits the task

These skills solve each problem by giving Claude accurate, grounded knowledge — drawn from real MCP tool responses, real validation errors, and 2,653+ actual n8n workflow templates.

## Skills work together

Skills are designed to compose. When you ask something like **"Build and validate a webhook to Slack workflow"**, multiple skills activate and collaborate:

1. **Workflow Patterns** identifies the webhook processing pattern and provides the node structure
2. **MCP Tools Expert** searches for webhook and Slack nodes using `search_nodes`, retrieves configuration with `get_node`
3. **Node Configuration** guides the setup of each node's required properties
4. **Expression Syntax** provides correct data mapping: `{{$json.body.message}}`, not `{{$json.message}}`
5. **Validation Expert** validates the complete workflow and interprets any errors

The result is a complete, validated, production-ready workflow.

## What's included

* **7** complementary skills that work together
* **525+** n8n nodes supported
* **2,653+** workflow templates used as grounding for patterns and examples
* **10** production-tested Code node patterns
* Comprehensive error catalogs and troubleshooting guides

## Prerequisites

Before using n8n-skills, you need:

1. **n8n-mcp MCP server** — installed and configured with your n8n instance URL and API key
2. **Claude access** — Claude Code (desktop), Claude.ai (web), or Claude API (via SDK)
3. **`.mcp.json`** — configured to point Claude at your n8n-mcp server

<Note>
  `N8N_API_URL` and `N8N_API_KEY` in your `.mcp.json` are optional but required for workflow creation and management tools. Without them, read-only tools (node search, validation, templates) still work.
</Note>

## Get started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Get to a working state in 4 steps — install the MCP server, configure it, install the skills, and test
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Full installation guide for all platforms: Claude Code plugin, manual, Claude.ai, and the Claude API/SDK
  </Card>
</CardGroup>