n8n MCP Tools Expert

Overview

This public intake copy packages

plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/n8n-mcp-tools-expert

https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills

Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.

This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

n8n MCP Tools Expert Master guide for using n8n-mcp MCP server tools to build workflows.

Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: Tool Categories, Tool Selection Guide, Critical: nodeType Formats, Detailed Guides, Self-Help Tools, Tool Availability.

When to Use This Skill

Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.

• You are using the n8n-mcp toolset to discover nodes, validate configs, or manage workflows.
• The task involves choosing the right MCP tool or understanding its expected parameters and usage pattern.
• You need guidance on workflow creation or editing through n8n MCP rather than through the n8n UI alone.
• Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Expert guide for using n8n-mcp MCP tools effectively. Use when searching for nodes, validating configurations, accessing templates, managing workflows, or using any n8n-mcp tool. Provides tool selection guidance,....
• Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.
• Use when provenance needs to stay visible in the answer, PR, or review packet.

Operating Table

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

SKILL.md

SKILL.md

## Related Skills

Workflow

This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.

1. Confirm the user goal, the scope of the imported workflow, and whether this skill is still the right router for the task.
2. Read the overview and provenance files before loading any copied upstream support files.
3. Load only the references, examples, prompts, or scripts that materially change the outcome for the current request.
4. Execute the upstream workflow while keeping provenance and source boundaries explicit in the working notes.
5. Validate the result against the upstream expectations and the evidence you can point to in the copied files.
6. Escalate or hand off to a related skill when the work moves out of this imported workflow's center of gravity.
7. Before merge or closure, record what was used, what changed, and what the reviewer still needs to verify.

Imported Workflow Notes

Imported: Summary

Most Important:

1. Use get_node with

   detail: "standard"

   (default) - covers 95% of use cases
2. nodeType formats differ:

   nodes-base.*

   (search/validate) vs

   n8n-nodes-base.*

   (workflows)
3. Specify validation profiles (

   runtime

   recommended)
4. Use smart parameters (

   branch="true"

   ,

   case=0

   )
5. Include intent parameter in workflow updates
6. Auto-sanitization runs on ALL nodes during updates
7. Workflows can be activated via API (

   activateWorkflow

   operation)
8. Workflows are built iteratively (56s avg between edits)

Common Workflow:

1. search_nodes → find node
2. get_node → understand config
3. validate_node → check config
4. n8n_create_workflow → build
5. n8n_validate_workflow → verify
6. n8n_update_partial_workflow → iterate
7. activateWorkflow → go live!

For details, see:

• SEARCH_GUIDE.md - Node discovery
• VALIDATION_GUIDE.md - Configuration validation
• WORKFLOW_GUIDE.md - Workflow management

Related Skills:

• n8n Expression Syntax - Write expressions in workflow fields
• n8n Workflow Patterns - Architectural patterns from templates
• n8n Validation Expert - Interpret validation errors
• n8n Node Configuration - Operation-specific requirements
• n8n Code JavaScript - Write JavaScript in Code nodes
• n8n Code Python - Write Python in Code nodes

Imported: Tool Categories

n8n-mcp provides tools organized into categories:

1. Node Discovery → SEARCH_GUIDE.md
2. Configuration Validation → VALIDATION_GUIDE.md
3. Workflow Management → WORKFLOW_GUIDE.md
4. Template Library - Search and deploy 2,700+ real workflows
5. Documentation & Guides - Tool docs, AI agent guide, Code node guides

Examples

Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly

Use @n8n-mcp-tools-expert to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.

Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.

Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review

Review @n8n-mcp-tools-expert against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.

Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.

Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution

Use @n8n-mcp-tools-expert for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.

Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.

Example 4: Build a reviewer packet

Review @n8n-mcp-tools-expert using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.

Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.

Imported Usage Notes

Imported: Tool Usage Patterns

Pattern 1: Node Discovery (Most Common)

Common workflow: 18s average between steps

// Step 1: Search (fast!)
const results = await search_nodes({
  query: "slack",
  mode: "OR",  // Default: any word matches
  limit: 20
});
// → Returns: nodes-base.slack, nodes-base.slackTrigger

// Step 2: Get details (~18s later, user reviewing results)
const details = await get_node({
  nodeType: "nodes-base.slack",
  includeExamples: true  // Get real template configs
});
// → Returns: operations, properties, metadata

Pattern 2: Validation Loop

Typical cycle: 23s thinking, 58s fixing

// Step 1: Validate
const result = await validate_node({
  nodeType: "nodes-base.slack",
  config: {
    resource: "channel",
    operation: "create"
  },
  profile: "runtime"
});

// Step 2: Check errors (~23s thinking)
if (!result.valid) {
  console.log(result.errors);  // "Missing required field: name"
}

// Step 3: Fix config (~58s fixing)
config.name = "general";

// Step 4: Validate again
await validate_node({...});  // Repeat until clean

Pattern 3: Workflow Editing

Most used update tool: 99.0% success rate, 56s average between edits

// Iterative workflow building (NOT one-shot!)
// Edit 1
await n8n_update_partial_workflow({
  id: "workflow-id",
  intent: "Add webhook trigger",
  operations: [{type: "addNode", node: {...}}]
});

// ~56s later...

// Edit 2
await n8n_update_partial_workflow({
  id: "workflow-id",
  intent: "Connect webhook to processor",
  operations: [{type: "addConnection", source: "...", target: "..."}]
});

// ~56s later...

// Edit 3 (validation)
await n8n_validate_workflow({id: "workflow-id"});

// Ready? Activate!
await n8n_update_partial_workflow({
  id: "workflow-id",
  intent: "Activate workflow for production",
  operations: [{type: "activateWorkflow"}]
});

Imported: Template Usage

Search Templates

// Search by keyword (default mode)
search_templates({
  query: "webhook slack",
  limit: 20
});

// Search by node types
search_templates({
  searchMode: "by_nodes",
  nodeTypes: ["n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest", "n8n-nodes-base.slack"]
});

// Search by task type
search_templates({
  searchMode: "by_task",
  task: "webhook_processing"
});

// Search by metadata (complexity, setup time)
search_templates({
  searchMode: "by_metadata",
  complexity: "simple",
  maxSetupMinutes: 15
});

Get Template Details

get_template({
  templateId: 2947,
  mode: "structure"  // nodes+connections only
});

get_template({
  templateId: 2947,
  mode: "full"  // complete workflow JSON
});

Deploy Template Directly

// Deploy template to your n8n instance
n8n_deploy_template({
  templateId: 2947,
  name: "My Weather to Slack",  // Custom name (optional)
  autoFix: true,  // Auto-fix common issues (default)
  autoUpgradeVersions: true  // Upgrade node versions (default)
});
// Returns: workflow ID, required credentials, fixes applied

Best Practices

Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.

• Use get_node({detail: "standard"}) for most use cases
• Specify validation profile explicitly (profile: "runtime")
• Use smart parameters (branch, case) for clarity
• Include intent parameter in workflow updates
• Follow search → get_node → validate workflow
• Iterate workflows (avg 56s between edits)
• Validate after every significant change

Imported Operating Notes

Imported: Best Practices

Do

• Use

  get_node({detail: "standard"})

  for most use cases
• Specify validation profile explicitly (

  profile: "runtime"

  )
• Use smart parameters (

  branch

  ,

  case

  ) for clarity
• Include

  intent

  parameter in workflow updates
• Follow search → get_node → validate workflow
• Iterate workflows (avg 56s between edits)
• Validate after every significant change
• Use

  includeExamples: true

  for real configs
• Use

  n8n_deploy_template

  for quick starts

Don't

• Use

  detail: "full"

  unless necessary (wastes tokens)
• Forget nodeType prefix (

  nodes-base.*

  )
• Skip validation profiles
• Try to build workflows in one shot (iterate!)
• Ignore auto-sanitization behavior
• Use full prefix (

  n8n-nodes-base.*

  ) with search/validate tools
• Forget to activate workflows after building

Troubleshooting

Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically

Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in

plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/n8n-mcp-tools-expert

metadata.json

ORIGIN.md

Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review

Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated

SKILL.md

Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization

Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better. Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.

Imported Troubleshooting Notes

Imported: Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Wrong nodeType Format

Problem: "Node not found" error

// WRONG
get_node({nodeType: "slack"})  // Missing prefix
get_node({nodeType: "n8n-nodes-base.slack"})  // Wrong prefix

// CORRECT
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack"})

Mistake 2: Using detail="full" by Default

Problem: Huge payload, slower response, token waste

// WRONG - Returns 3-8K tokens, use sparingly
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack", detail: "full"})

// CORRECT - Returns 1-2K tokens, covers 95% of use cases
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack"})  // detail="standard" is default
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack", detail: "standard"})

When to use detail="full":

• Debugging complex configuration issues
• Need complete property schema with all nested options
• Exploring advanced features

Better alternatives:

1. get_node({detail: "standard"})

   - for operations list (default)

2. get_node({mode: "docs"})

   - for readable documentation

3. get_node({mode: "search_properties", propertyQuery: "auth"})

   - for specific property

Mistake 3: Not Using Validation Profiles

Problem: Too many false positives OR missing real errors

Profiles:

• minimal

  - Only required fields (fast, permissive)

• runtime

  - Values + types (recommended for pre-deployment)

• ai-friendly

  - Reduce false positives (for AI configuration)

• strict

  - Maximum validation (for production)

// WRONG - Uses default profile
validate_node({nodeType, config})

// CORRECT - Explicit profile
validate_node({nodeType, config, profile: "runtime"})

Mistake 4: Ignoring Auto-Sanitization

What happens: ALL nodes sanitized on ANY workflow update

Auto-fixes:

• Binary operators (equals, contains) → removes singleValue
• Unary operators (isEmpty, isNotEmpty) → adds singleValue: true
• IF/Switch nodes → adds missing metadata

Cannot fix:

• Broken connections
• Branch count mismatches
• Paradoxical corrupt states

// After ANY update, auto-sanitization runs on ALL nodes
n8n_update_partial_workflow({id, operations: [...]})
// → Automatically fixes operator structures

Mistake 5: Not Using Smart Parameters

Problem: Complex sourceIndex calculations for multi-output nodes

Old way (manual):

// IF node connection
{
  type: "addConnection",
  source: "IF",
  target: "Handler",
  sourceIndex: 0  // Which output? Hard to remember!
}

New way (smart parameters):

// IF node - semantic branch names
{
  type: "addConnection",
  source: "IF",
  target: "True Handler",
  branch: "true"  // Clear and readable!
}

{
  type: "addConnection",
  source: "IF",
  target: "False Handler",
  branch: "false"
}

// Switch node - semantic case numbers
{
  type: "addConnection",
  source: "Switch",
  target: "Handler A",
  case: 0
}

Mistake 6: Not Using intent Parameter

Problem: Less helpful tool responses

// WRONG - No context for response
n8n_update_partial_workflow({
  id: "abc",
  operations: [{type: "addNode", node: {...}}]
})

// CORRECT - Better AI responses
n8n_update_partial_workflow({
  id: "abc",
  intent: "Add error handling for API failures",
  operations: [{type: "addNode", node: {...}}]
})

Related Skills

• @monte-carlo-monitor-creation

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @monte-carlo-prevent

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @monte-carlo-push-ingestion

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

• @monte-carlo-validation-notebook

  - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

Additional Resources

Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.

references

references/n/a

examples

examples/n/a

scripts

scripts/n/a

agents

agents/n/a

assets

assets/n/a

Imported Reference Notes

Imported: Quick Reference

Most Used Tools (by success rate)

search_nodes

get_node

validate_node

n8n_create_workflow

n8n_update_partial_workflow

validate_workflow

n8n_deploy_template

Imported: Unified Tool Reference

get_node (Unified Node Information)

Detail Levels (mode="info", default):

• minimal

  (~200 tokens) - Basic metadata only

• standard

  (~1-2K tokens) - Essential properties + operations (RECOMMENDED)

• full

  (~3-8K tokens) - Complete schema (use sparingly)

Operation Modes:

• info

  (default) - Node schema with detail level

• docs

  - Readable markdown documentation

• search_properties

  - Find specific properties (use with propertyQuery)

• versions

  - List all versions with breaking changes

• compare

  - Compare two versions

• breaking

  - Show only breaking changes

• migrations

  - Show auto-migratable changes

// Standard (recommended)
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.httpRequest"})

// Get documentation
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.webhook", mode: "docs"})

// Search for properties
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.httpRequest", mode: "search_properties", propertyQuery: "auth"})

// Check versions
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.executeWorkflow", mode: "versions"})

validate_node (Unified Validation)

Modes:

• full

  (default) - Comprehensive validation with errors/warnings/suggestions

• minimal

  - Quick required fields check only

Profiles (for mode="full"):

• minimal

  - Very lenient

• runtime

  - Standard (default, recommended)

• ai-friendly

  - Balanced for AI workflows

• strict

  - Most thorough (production)

// Full validation with runtime profile
validate_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack", config: {...}, profile: "runtime"})

// Quick required fields check
validate_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.webhook", config: {}, mode: "minimal"})

Imported: Tool Selection Guide

Finding the Right Node

Workflow:

1. search_nodes({query: "keyword"})
2. get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.name"})
3. [Optional] get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.name", mode: "docs"})

Example:

// Step 1: Search
search_nodes({query: "slack"})
// Returns: nodes-base.slack

// Step 2: Get details
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack"})
// Returns: operations, properties, examples (standard detail)

// Step 3: Get readable documentation
get_node({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack", mode: "docs"})
// Returns: markdown documentation

Common pattern: search → get_node (18s average)

Validating Configuration

Workflow:

1. validate_node({nodeType, config: {}, mode: "minimal"}) - Check required fields
2. validate_node({nodeType, config, profile: "runtime"}) - Full validation
3. [Repeat] Fix errors, validate again

Common pattern: validate → fix → validate (23s thinking, 58s fixing per cycle)

Managing Workflows

Workflow:

1. n8n_create_workflow({name, nodes, connections})
2. n8n_validate_workflow({id})
3. n8n_update_partial_workflow({id, operations: [...]})
4. n8n_validate_workflow({id}) again
5. n8n_update_partial_workflow({id, operations: [{type: "activateWorkflow"}]})

Common pattern: iterative updates (56s average between edits)

Imported: Critical: nodeType Formats

Two different formats for different tools!

Format 1: Search/Validate Tools

// Use SHORT prefix
"nodes-base.slack"
"nodes-base.httpRequest"
"nodes-base.webhook"
"nodes-langchain.agent"

Tools that use this:

• search_nodes (returns this format)
• get_node
• validate_node
• validate_workflow

Format 2: Workflow Tools

// Use FULL prefix
"n8n-nodes-base.slack"
"n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest"
"n8n-nodes-base.webhook"
"@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent"

Tools that use this:

• n8n_create_workflow
• n8n_update_partial_workflow

Conversion

// search_nodes returns BOTH formats
{
  "nodeType": "nodes-base.slack",          // For search/validate tools
  "workflowNodeType": "n8n-nodes-base.slack"  // For workflow tools
}

Imported: Detailed Guides

Node Discovery Tools

See SEARCH_GUIDE.md for:

• search_nodes
• get_node with detail levels (minimal, standard, full)
• get_node modes (info, docs, search_properties, versions)

Validation Tools

See VALIDATION_GUIDE.md for:

• Validation profiles explained
• validate_node with modes (minimal, full)
• validate_workflow complete structure
• Auto-sanitization system
• Handling validation errors

Workflow Management

See WORKFLOW_GUIDE.md for:

• n8n_create_workflow
• n8n_update_partial_workflow (17 operation types!)
• Smart parameters (branch, case)
• AI connection types (8 types)
• Workflow activation (activateWorkflow/deactivateWorkflow)
• n8n_deploy_template
• n8n_workflow_versions

Imported: Self-Help Tools

Get Tool Documentation

// Overview of all tools
tools_documentation()

// Specific tool details
tools_documentation({
  topic: "search_nodes",
  depth: "full"
})

// Code node guides
tools_documentation({topic: "javascript_code_node_guide", depth: "full"})
tools_documentation({topic: "python_code_node_guide", depth: "full"})

AI Agent Guide

// Comprehensive AI workflow guide
ai_agents_guide()
// Returns: Architecture, connections, tools, validation, best practices

Health Check

// Quick health check
n8n_health_check()

// Detailed diagnostics
n8n_health_check({mode: "diagnostic"})
// → Returns: status, env vars, tool status, API connectivity

Imported: Tool Availability

Always Available (no n8n API needed):

• search_nodes, get_node
• validate_node, validate_workflow
• search_templates, get_template
• tools_documentation, ai_agents_guide

Requires n8n API (N8N_API_URL + N8N_API_KEY):

• n8n_create_workflow
• n8n_update_partial_workflow
• n8n_validate_workflow (by ID)
• n8n_list_workflows, n8n_get_workflow
• n8n_test_workflow
• n8n_executions
• n8n_deploy_template
• n8n_workflow_versions
• n8n_autofix_workflow

If API tools unavailable, use templates and validation-only workflows.

Imported: Performance Characteristics

Imported: Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.