n8n Workflow Builder MCP Server

How to use

You integrate AI assistants with the n8n Workflow Builder MCP Server to perform end-to-end workflow management. Use an MCP-compatible client to connect, then issue natural language commands like list my workflows, show details for a specific workflow, create a new workflow, or run a workflow on demand. The server handles authentication against your n8n API key and exposes a suite of tools to manage workflows, executions, tags, and security audits.

Typical usage patterns include: creating new workflows with complex node configurations, activating or deactivating existing workflows, executing workflows manually, and reviewing execution results. You can also browse workflows, manage tags, and generate security audit reports. Each action is exposed as a tool that you can call from your MCP client, enabling conversational automation of your n8n setup.

How to install

Prerequisites: you need Node.js v18.0.0 or higher, an n8n instance (self-hosted or cloud), and a valid n8n API key.

Option 1: NPX (local, quick start) Run locally with NPX:

npx @makafeli/n8n-workflow-builder

Option 2: Manual installation (for development or customization) Clone, install, build, and start the server:

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/makafeli/n8n-workflow-builder.git
cd n8n-workflow-builder

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build the project
npm run build

# Start the server
npm start

Additional configuration and usage notes

Configure the MCP client to pass your n8n connection details and credentials. The server connects to your n8n instance using the provided API key and host URL. You can supply these values through environment variables when running the server or configure them in your MCP client setup.

Example environment variables you may provide when running locally (replace with your actual values):

# For local testing
export N8N_HOST="http://localhost:5678"
export N8N_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

# Then run the server (if using NPX you may provide env inline)
npx @makafeli/n8n-workflow-builder

Configuration

The server uses environment variables to connect to your n8n instance. Provide the host URL and API key to authorize requests.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-workflow-builder": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@makafeli/n8n-workflow-builder"],
      "env": {
        "N8N_HOST": "http://localhost:5678",
        "N8N_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Security and maintenance

The MCP server uses n8n’s official API with proper authentication. You control the API key permissions and can revoke access at any time. Data is not stored by the MCP server itself; all calls go directly to your n8n instance.

Keep your n8n instance and API keys up to date. If you encounter connection or authorization errors, verify the API key and host URL, and ensure your network can reach the n8n service.

Troubleshooting

Common issues include connection failures, unauthorized access, or missing workflows. Ensure your N8N_HOST is correct, the N8N_API_KEY has the necessary permissions, and the target workflow IDs exist. Enable debug mode for more verbose logs if needed.

DEBUG=n8n-workflow-builder npx @makafeli/n8n-workflow-builder

FAQ

What is this MCP server? It is a bridge that lets AI assistants access and manage your n8n workflows using natural language commands through the MCP interface.

Which clients work with this MCP server? Any MCP-compatible assistant, such as Claude Desktop or Cline, can connect and issue commands to manage workflows.

list_workflows

List all workflows from your n8n instance

get_workflow

Retrieve detailed information about a specific workflow by its ID

create_workflow

Create a new workflow with nodes and connections

execute_workflow

Manually execute a workflow by its ID

update_workflow

Update an existing workflow's configuration by ID

activate_workflow

Activate a workflow to enable automatic execution

deactivate_workflow

Deactivate a workflow to stop automatic execution

delete_workflow

Permanently delete a workflow by its ID

create_workflow_and_activate

Create a new workflow and immediately activate it

list_executions

List workflow executions with filtering and pagination

get_execution

Get detailed information about a specific execution by its ID

delete_execution

Delete a workflow execution record by its ID

list_tags

List all workflow tags with pagination

create_tag

Create a new workflow tag for organization

generate_audit

Generate comprehensive security audit reports