n8n Skills
czlonkowski/n8n-skills
n8n Skills is a free, MIT-licensed Claude Code plugin with 14 skills for building n8n workflows through the n8n-mcp MCP server. They cover expression syntax, node configuration, validation, Code nodes, error handling, sub-workflows, AI agents, multiple instances and self-hosting. A router skill and a hooks layer nudge the agent toward the right skill during a session.
Facts checked on against the sources listed at the end of this page.
- GitHub stars
- 6,418
- Skills in the pack
- 15
- Agents supported
- 4hooks only run in the Claude Code and Codex plugin install
- License
- MIT
- Last commit
- 4 days ago9 October 2026
- Instruction size
- 41.2k wordsacross all SKILL.md files
How to install n8n Skills
| Agent | Command | Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | Install the n8n-mcp MCP server first. | |
| Other hosts | Claude.ai takes the skills as individual uploads and ChatGPT or other SKILL.md hosts can load the skill folders. See the README. Without the plugin the skills still activate by description but the hooks do not run. |
Commands as given in the README on 14 October 2026.
What n8n Skills runs on your machine
- Hooks
- Yes. A SessionStart hook loads the router skill. PreToolUse shell hooks run before n8n-mcp calls such as get_node, create and update workflow, and credential management. A PostToolUse hook runs after validate_workflow. Per the README every hook fails open and never blocks a tool call.
- Bundled scripts
- Yes. The hooks are shell scripts, and the self-hosting skill ships an init-data.sh asset for setting up n8n.
- Network calls
- The skills drive the n8n-mcp server, which talks to your n8n instance. The session-start hook writes a cache under ~/.cache/n8n-mcp-skills.
- API keys needed
- The n8n-mcp server needs your own n8n connection details. The skills hold none.
- Tool permissions
- Hooks add reminders to the agent's context before and after n8n-mcp tool calls.
These are facts read from the repo, not a security rating. Read the files before you install any skill.
What is inside n8n Skills
| Skill | What it makes the agent do |
|---|---|
| n8n Expression Syntax | Writing n8n expressions, including the gotcha that webhook data sits under $json.body. |
| n8n MCP Tools Expert | Using the n8n-mcp tools correctly. The README marks it highest priority. |
| n8n Workflow Patterns | Five proven patterns: webhook processing, HTTP API, database, AI and scheduled. |
| n8n Validation Expert | Reading and fixing validation results. |
| n8n Node Configuration | Setting up nodes correctly. |
| n8n Code JavaScript and Code Python | Writing Code node logic in either language. |
| n8n Error Handling | Error outputs, retries and HTTP error responses. |
| n8n Sub-workflows | Splitting work into sub-workflows with verb-first names. |
| n8n AI Agents | Building agent workflows in n8n. |
| n8n Self-Hosting | Installing, updating, backing up and hardening a self-hosted n8n on a server. |
The README counts 14 skills plus an always-on router skill, using-n8n-mcp-skills. Ten are shown here.
A good fit for
- People who build n8n workflows through an agent and the n8n-mcp server
- Teams that keep tripping on webhook body paths, expression syntax or validation errors
- Operators who self-host n8n on a VPS and want install, backup and hardening steps in a skill
- Users who manage more than one n8n instance
Skip it if
- Anyone who does not use the n8n-mcp server, since the skills are written around its tools
- Users who do not want hooks, which run in the Claude Code and Codex plugin install
- n8n Cloud users who only need the self-hosting skill, which does not apply to them
How n8n Skills works
The hooks layer is the part that makes this pack different. Looking up a Set, Code, Merge, Loop Over Items, DateTime, Data Table or AI Agent node fires a node-specific reminder, and calls that manage instances or credentials fire a one-shot reminder. After validate_workflow, a hook routes the agent to skills for the remaining risks and reminds it that passing validation is not enough.
The README says the hook patterns are adapted from n8n-io/skills, which is Apache-2.0. The author runs an n8n consultancy.
- Made by
- czlonkowski
- Topic
- DevOps and cloud
- Works with
- Claude Code, Codex, Claude.ai, Any SKILL.md host
How much context n8n Skills uses
| All 15 skills | 41,183 words across every SKILL.md file |
|---|---|
| Largest skill | n8n-agents, 4,009 words |
| Loaded at start | Only each skill's name and description. The full text loads when a task needs that skill. |
Word counts are measured from the repo every day. Reference files a skill loads on demand are not counted.
Is n8n Skills still maintained?
| Last commit | , 4 days ago |
|---|---|
| Latest release | v1.35.0, 16 September 2026 |
| Stars gained in 7 days | Shown after 7 days of tracking |
| Stars gained in 30 days | Shown after 30 days of tracking |
| Open issues and pull requests | 18 |
| Forks | 1,058 |
Tools n8n Skills works with
Questions about n8n Skills
Do I need the n8n-mcp server?
Yes. The README lists it as a prerequisite, and the skills teach the agent how to use its tools.
What do the hooks do?
They add short reminders to the agent at the start of a session, before certain n8n-mcp calls and after workflow validation. They fail open and never block a call.
Do the hooks work on Claude.ai?
No. Hooks run only in the Claude Code and Codex plugin install. On Claude.ai the skills still activate by description.
Is it free?
Yes. It is MIT licensed.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Email [email protected] with a link to the source. Stats come from the public GitHub API and update every day.
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