MCP server for building n8n workflows
MCP server for building n8n workflows. The n8n mcp server wraps that behind the Model Context Protocol, so an assistant can use it through 1 defined tool rather than through you.
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for building and manipulating n8n workflows. Build n8n workflows just by prompting with AI — works with Claude Code, VS Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible client.
Everything the assistant can do here goes through one of these:
General — 1. Check your MCP config — make sure JSON is valid and the server name matches. 2. Update Node.js to the latest LTS version. 3. **Clear npmThe server ships on npm as command, so your MCP client can launch it on demand — there is no separate build step. Add the server block to your client's configuration, restart it, and the tools register themselves.
You will need 2 environment variables: N8N_API_URL, N8N_API_KEY. The server will not start without them, which is usually why the tools fail to appear on a first run. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than in a file you might commit.
Among the developer tooling options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. N8n's toolset — General — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by ifmelate; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.
This entry was verified against N8n's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| General | 1. **Check your MCP config** — make sure JSON is valid and the server name matches. 2. **Update Node.js** to the latest LTS version. 3. **Clear npm cache** if npx fails: npm cache clean --force 4. **Try global install** |
{
"mcpServers": {
"n8n-workflow-builder": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "n8n-workflow-builder-mcp"],
"env": {
"N8N_API_URL": "http://localhost:5678",
"N8N_API_KEY": "your-n8n-api-key-here"
}
}
}
}Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.
| Variable | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| N8N_API_URL | Endpoint or connection string the server talks to. | Yes |
| N8N_API_KEY | Credential the server authenticates with. | Yes |
Kill hallucinated APIs — version-accurate, up-to-date library documentation injected straight into context.
Microsoft's official browser automation server — drive a real browser through the accessibility tree, no screenshots needed.
GitHub's official server — repos, issues, pull requests, Actions and code security, straight from your assistant.
Issue tracking at the speed of conversation — Linear's official hosted server with OAuth and zero install.
Local repository surgery — status, diffs, commits, branches and history for any repo on disk.
Timezone sanity for AI — current time anywhere and correct conversions, without the model doing date math.