Using n8n Skills

The official n8n MCP evolves over time, so tool names, parameters, and default behaviors can drift between versions. When you spot drift (a tool a skill names doesn't exist, a parameter shape doesn't match what

get_node_types

returns, or behavior differs from what the skill describes), suggest updating the skill and n8n instance to the latest stable.

Non-negotiables

Three rules with no exceptions. Violating any produces workflows that look right but break in production.

Invoke the relevant skill before any n8n action. Not just MCP tool calls. Before writing SDK code, configuring a node, designing a workflow, wiring a connection, building an agent, or handling errors: invoke the matching skill via the Skill tool. This document is a router. The skill body has the actual rules. The PreToolUse hooks remind you on the highest-impact MCP calls if a plugin is installed. The responsibility is yours on everything else. Err on the side of reading extra documents.
Validate AND verify before publishing.
```
validate_workflow
```
before
```
publish_workflow
```
, and
```
get_workflow_details
```
after every create or update to check the
```
connections
```
object. Validation alone misses many issues documented in the skills that will silently break workflows.
Tokens/secrets never go in text fields. Always use the n8n credential system. If no native node exists, configure HTTP Request with the official credential type. See
```
n8n-credentials-and-security
```
.

Strong defaults (each skill owns its exceptions)

The Code node is a last resort. Expression first, then arrow function inside Edit Fields, then Code. Code earns its place for multi-source aggregation, libraries, and stateful work. See
```
n8n-code-nodes
```
.
Anything reusable becomes a stateless sub-workflow. Search existing ones via
```
search_workflows({ query: 'Subworkflow' })
```
before building. See
```
n8n-subworkflows
```
.

Red flags: thoughts that mean STOP and invoke

These rationalizations cause skills to be skipped. If you catch yourself thinking any of them, invoke the relevant skill via the Skill tool, even if you "already read it" earlier in the session.

Thought	Action
"This workflow is simple, I'll just build it"	Invoke `n8n-workflow-lifecycle` . Most "simple" workflows are 10+ nodes by the time they ship.
"I'll add a Set node here to map these fields"	Invoke `n8n-expressions` . Set nodes feeding only 0 or 1 downstream consumer are the most common antipattern in this entire pack.
"I'll just use a Code node, it's easier"	Invoke `n8n-code-nodes` . The bar is high. Most reaches for Code can be expressions or Edit Fields with arrow functions.
"Validation passed, I'm ready to publish"	Invoke `n8n-workflow-lifecycle` and walk `VALIDATION_CHECKLIST.md` section 2.5 (the antipattern scan). Validation passing is necessary, not sufficient.
"The agent is wired up, the tool descriptions look fine"	Invoke `n8n-agents` `references/TOOLS.md` . Tool names and descriptions ARE part of the prompt, and "looks fine" usually means generic.
"I'll set this sub-workflow trigger to passthrough"	Invoke `n8n-subworkflows` . Passthrough is only correct for binary-receiving sub-workflows that won't be agent tools.
"I'll use passthrough so binary works, then branch internally on which input shape arrived"	Invoke `n8n-subworkflows` `references/SUBWORKFLOW_PATTERNS.md` "Splitting by input shape". This is the signal to SPLIT into two outer sub-workflows (one Define Below, one passthrough) sharing a common downstream sub-workflow. Don't fight passthrough vs Define Below in one trigger.
"I should ask the user what their credential is named"	Don't. The string in `newCredential('Label')` is cosmetic. See `n8n-credentials-and-security` .
"The user mentioned data analysis, I'll write Python"	Invoke `n8n-code-nodes` . Default is JavaScript. Python only when explicitly asked.
"I'll add a Loop Over Items here to process each row"	Invoke `n8n-loops` . Default per-item iteration probably handles it without a Loop Over Items node.
"Date math, I'll use a DateTime node"	Invoke `n8n-expressions` . DateTime nodes are almost always wrong.
"I'll wrap this in a Merge with 3 sources"	Invoke `n8n-connections` `references/MERGE_INDEX_RULES.md` . Merge defaults to 2 inputs, and 3+ sources need `numberOfInputs` set explicitly.
"User said which project, I'll just build it"	Invoke `n8n-workflow-lifecycle` . Project is not folder. Ask about folder placement BEFORE building. The MCP can't create folders, so if the requested folder doesn't exist, the user must create it in the UI first.
"I'll just run `test_workflow` to see what happens"	Invoke `n8n-workflow-lifecycle` `references/TESTING.md` . `test_workflow` mocks the trigger only. Slack sends, DB writes, payments all fire for real. Ask the user first when downstreams have side effects.

The meta-skill (this document) tells you WHICH skill applies. The Skill tool loads the actual rules. Reading the meta-skill once at session start is not a substitute for invoking the skill at the moment of decision.

Skill index

Invoke via the Skill tool. Trigger column = when to invoke.

Skill	Trigger
`n8n-workflow-lifecycle`	Starting, designing, organizing, or finishing a workflow. Covers sticky-note conventions, descriptions that capture the why, naming, validation checklist, folder limitations, MCP-access-per-workflow gotcha
`n8n-subworkflows`	Anything reusable, multi-step builds, or the user mentions reuse. Search before building, stateless patterns, naming-prefix convention for discovery
`n8n-extending-mcp`	You need capabilities the MCP doesn't natively provide. Wrap n8n APIs as workflow tools, with user permission
`n8n-expressions`	Writing `{{}}` , `$json` , `$node` , expression errors. Luxon for dates, indented multi-line, prefer expressions over extra nodes
`n8n-node-configuration`	Configuring any node. Operation-aware, property dependencies, never assume parameters
`n8n-code-nodes`	User reaches for a Code node, or custom logic is needed. Decision tree, JavaScript patterns when truly required
`n8n-connections`	Wiring IF, Switch, Merge, error outputs, or any non-linear connection. Multi-IO traps, fan-out/fan-in, merge index rules
`n8n-loops`	Multi-item data, batching, paginated APIs, "for each" or "loop over" mentions. Default per-item iteration, `executeOnce` , Loop Over Items, HTTP pagination
`n8n-agents`	LangChain Agent node, tool calling, system prompts, structured output, memory, RAG. Tool names/descriptions as part of the prompt, sub-workflow as tool, modular prompt design
`n8n-error-handling`	Webhook-triggered or production-bound workflows. Error branch on every fallible node, 4xx for caller errors and 5xx for execution errors
`n8n-credentials-and-security`	Any auth, API key, or token mention. Credential system, custom credentials, HTTP Request with official creds
`n8n-binary-and-data`	Files, images, attachments. Binary handling patterns, agent-tool boundary, CDN requirement for chat hub
`n8n-data-tables`	Data Tables: schemas, default columns (id/createdAt/updatedAt), no-FK relational design, dedup, the no-JSON-only-primitives rule, the SDK-vs-UI manual-mapping quirk
`n8n-debugging`	Errors, unexpected behavior, "this isn't working". Believe the user, check parameters, fetch n8n source from GitHub

n8n MCP tools (compact reference)

The MCP defers tool descriptions to save tokens. Below is the short-form list so you have working knowledge of every tool from turn one.

Tool names are shown without the MCP prefix. The qualified name is

mcp__<server>__<tool>

where

<server>

depends on the user's MCP config.

Workflow management

Tool	What it does
`search_workflows`	Search workflows across the instance by `query` (matches name and description, but tags are not filterable via MCP). The only cross-workflow tool. Use it to discover what already exists.
`get_workflow_details`	Fetch a workflow's full JSON by ID. Use after every create/update to verify connections.
`search_folders`	List folders. You cannot create or move folders. You can only place workflows into folders that already exist.
`search_projects`	List projects.
`archive_workflow` / `publish_workflow` / `unpublish_workflow`	Soft-delete / activate / deactivate. Validate before publish.

Workflow building

Tool	What it does
`get_sdk_reference`	Fetch the n8n Workflow SDK reference. Read this before writing workflow code. Sections include `guidelines` and `design` .
`search_nodes`	Discover nodes by capability (e.g. "gmail", "slack", "schedule trigger"). Returns IDs plus discriminators (resource/operation/mode).
`get_node_types`	Fetch exact TypeScript parameter definitions for node IDs. Required before configuring any node. Don't guess parameter names.
`get_suggested_nodes`	Curated recommendations by workflow technique category.
`create_workflow_from_code`	Save a workflow from SDK code. Always include a 1-2 sentence `description` .
`update_workflow`	Update an existing workflow by ID with new SDK code. Replaces the entire workflow definition: no partial updates. Saves a draft only; not live until `publish_workflow` runs.
`validate_workflow`	Validate SDK code before create/update. Necessary but not sufficient: won't catch the `.to()` trap.

Workflow testing & execution

Tool	What it does
`prepare_test_pin_data`	Returns JSON Schemas (not data) for nodes that need pinning: triggers, credentialed nodes, and HTTP Request. You generate sample values.
`test_workflow`	Run with the pin data you supply. Auto-pins triggers, credentialed nodes, and HTTP Request. Code, Edit Fields, If, Data Tables, Execute Command, file ops, and sub-workflow calls run for real. Ask before running if any not-auto-pinned node has side effects. Pin data is per-execution only with no visual indicator in the execution viewer, so tell the user which nodes were pinned after the call. See `n8n-workflow-lifecycle` `references/TESTING.md` .
`execute_workflow`	Production execution with the real trigger. Wire error handling first. Same side-effect rules as `test_workflow` .
`get_execution`	Fetch a previous execution by ID.

Data tables

n8n's built-in tabular storage. Not an external service. Prefer over external DBs for workflow-local persistent state. Full surface:

Tool	What it does
`create_data_table`	Create a new Data Table.
`search_data_tables`	Find existing Data Tables.
`rename_data_table` / `rename_data_table_column`	Rename.
`add_data_table_column` / `delete_data_table_column`	Schema changes.
`add_data_table_rows`	Append rows.

The protocol, in order

For any n8n task:

Recognize the matching skill from the index above. If the task spans skills, recognize the primary one first and pick up others as their triggers come up.
Invoke the skill via the Skill tool before the first MCP call. Don't call n8n MCP tools blind.
Read the SDK reference once per session before writing workflow code (
```
get_sdk_reference
```
). The most efficient way to avoid SDK-shape mistakes.
Get node types before configuring any node (
```
get_node_types
```
). Guessing parameter names creates invalid workflows, sometimes silently.
Validate before publish, verify after create/update. Validation catches schema errors. Verification (pulling the workflow back via
```
get_workflow_details
```
) catches connection bugs validation misses.
Surface drift when you spot it. If a tool or parameter doesn't match what a skill says, tell the user. Updates may be needed.

Reviewing existing workflows or projects

For audits, code-review, or any task framed as "review this workflow" / "what's wrong with this" / "audit this project," walk the review checklist:

n8n-workflow-lifecycle

references/REVIEW_CHECKLIST.md

. Severity-tiered (MUST FIX / SHOULD FIX / NICE TO HAVE), with each item linking to the canonical skill ref for the fix. Distinct from

VALIDATION_CHECKLIST.md

(pre-publish gates for in-progress builds): REVIEW_CHECKLIST is for any workflow, including ones built by anyone, any age.

A review agent should call

get_workflow_details

first, walk the checklist top to bottom, and report findings grouped by severity. MUST FIX items shouldn't be auto-fixed without user confirmation.

When in doubt

Can't find a workflow the user is referring to? If the user built it in the n8n UI, the most common reason is MCP access isn't enabled on that specific workflow: UI-created workflows can default to MCP-disabled and stay invisible until the per-workflow toggle is flipped. Ask the user: "Open the workflow in n8n, Settings, toggle MCP access on." (MCP-created workflows default on, so this only applies to UI-built ones.) See the
```
n8n-workflow-lifecycle
```
skill (
```
references/MCP_ACCESS_PER_WORKFLOW.md
```
).
The user is right. If they say something's broken, believe them, even if you "know" the workflow is correct. Re-check parameters, fetch the n8n source from
```
github.com/n8n-io/n8n
```
to trace logic, find API docs for missing functions. The
```
n8n-debugging
```
skill walks through this.
If no skill fits and the task is non-trivial, ask before guessing.
These skills are opinionated, but considered best practice by the n8n team. The user can override any opinion by editing the SKILL.md. The plugin is just markdown.

using-n8n-skills

NPX Install

Tags

SKILL.md Content