MCP server
n8n MCP server
n8n's official instance-level MCP server lets AI search, run, build, update and publish workflows and look up nodes and credentials.
- Official server
- Automation
At a glance
- Maintained by
- n8n
- Tools exposed
- 10 listed below
- Reviewed
- September 24, 2026
Why it matters
What it does and why it matters
n8n is a workflow automation tool that can be self-hosted, which makes it popular with teams that want control over their data. Its official instance-level MCP server lets an assistant search workflows, read details, run them, inspect executions, create workflows from code, update and publish them, search nodes and list credentials.
Building a new automation becomes a conversation: describe the steps, let the assistant draft the workflow, and review it before publishing.
It can build and publish workflows, so we keep publishing behind review and test new workflows on sample data first. Listing credentials shows their names, not their secrets, but still limit who can connect. Self-hosting n8n keeps both the workflows and the data on your own servers.
Use cases
Best business use cases
Draft workflows
Run workflows
Debug runs
Find nodes
Self-hosted automation
Tools
Available tools
Tool names as published by the maintainer at review time. Versions change, so check the repository for the current list.
Read and write: Read and write: search, run, build, publish and archive workflows, plus agents and data tables.
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search_workflowsFind workflows by name, project, tag or folder.
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get_workflow_detailsGet a workflow's nodes, settings and trigger info.
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execute_workflowRun a workflow in manual or production mode.
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search_workflow_executionsSearch past workflow runs.
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get_workflow_executionGet one execution's result.
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create_workflow_from_codeBuild a new workflow from code.
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update_workflowChange an existing workflow.
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publish_workflowPublish (activate) a workflow.
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search_nodesSearch available n8n nodes.
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list_credentialsList credentials (without secrets).
Workflows
Example workflows
Build a new automation
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1
Describe the steps.
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2
The assistant searches nodes.
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3
It creates a draft workflow.
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4
You test it with sample data.
-
5
You publish it after review.
Fix a failing workflow
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1
Ask about recent failures.
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2
The assistant finds failed executions.
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3
It reads the error details.
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4
It proposes an update.
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5
You approve and republish.
Prompts
Example prompts
“Create a workflow that adds new form entries to Google Sheets and posts a Slack message.”
“Why did the invoice sync workflow fail last night?”
“Run the weekly report workflow now.”
Setup
Installation and configuration
Examples for Claude Desktop and Claude Code. Replace the placeholder values with your own keys, and store secrets outside version control.
Claude Desktop: claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"n8n-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"supergateway",
"--streamableHttp",
"https://<your-n8n-domain>/mcp-server/http",
"--header",
"Authorization:Bearer <YOUR_N8N_MCP_TOKEN>"
]
}
}
}Claude Code: terminal
claude mcp add --transport http n8n https://<your-n8n-domain>/mcp-server/http- Hosted server: https://<your-n8n-domain>/mcp-server/http (built into each n8n instance, Cloud or self-hosted).
- Needs: OAuth (recommended) or an n8n MCP access token. Enable instance-level MCP in n8n settings..
- Claude Desktop: Docs also allow Settings > Connectors with the Server URL and OAuth.
Security
Security considerations
-
Review before publishing
Test and review workflows before they go live.
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Credentials
Credential names are visible. Limit who connects.
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Self-hosting
Self-host to keep data on your servers.
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Execution history
Review execution logs regularly.
Related servers
Servers that pair well with it
Zapier
Zapier's official MCP server lets AI discover, enable and run actions across thousands of connected apps, with separate read and write tools.
Make
Make's official MCP server turns your Make scenarios into tools AI can run, and on paid plans lets it view and modify scenarios and connections.
GitHub
GitHub's official MCP server lets AI read repositories, search code, manage issues and pull requests and, when allowed, change files.
Keep exploring
Solutions and services that use it
Related services
View all related services- MCP integration Connect AI assistants to your CRM, files, databases and tools through Model Context Protocol servers, with safe permissions.
- Business process automation Map a process that runs on email and spreadsheets and turn it into software with clear steps and owners.
- Automation and Integrations CRM, payment and API integrations, MCP connections and workflows that stop people copying data by hand.
- AI workflows Step-by-step automations where AI handles the reading, sorting and drafting inside a process you control.
- API integration Make two systems share data reliably, with retries, logging and alerts when something goes wrong.
- Webhooks and event systems Systems that react the moment something happens, such as a payment, a signup or a form, instead of waiting for a nightly job.
Solutions
View all solutions- Approval workflows Requests, approvals and reminders in one place, with clear owners and deadlines instead of long email threads.
- Automated reporting Reports that build themselves from your systems on schedule, with a plain-language summary of what changed.
- AI automation and integrations Connect the tools you already use so data moves once, correctly, and AI reads the parts that arrive as text or documents.
- Scheduling and drafting automation Turn one piece of content into posts for each channel, schedule them and track results, with approval before anything goes out.
- Compliance tracking Track filing deadlines, licenses and obligations in one place, with reminders and AI summaries of relevant rule changes.
- Onboarding automation Every new hire gets the right accounts, documents, training and check-ins on time, tracked in one place.
Industries
View all industries- Property management Tenant portals, maintenance tracking, owner statements and inbox automation for property managers.
- Vacation rentals Booking websites, owner and guest portals, turnover scheduling and guest messaging for rental operators.
- Construction and facilities Job tracking, maintenance requests, inspections, quotes and proof-of-work photos for builders and facility teams.
- Tax and compliance services Client portals, document checklists, case queues and deadline tracking for tax preparers and compliance firms.
- Logistics and transportation Driver apps, order and shipment tracking, document processing and integrations for logistics and delivery companies.
Case studies
View all case studies- Facility management platform Every request, inspection and cost for every building now lives in one place, with a clear owner and status.
- Payroll system for an IT services company Payroll is calculated from recorded inputs, reviewed once and sent as payslips in a single batch, with every change logged.
- Tax filing service platform Clients upload documents and see where their case stands, and staff work from one queue with deadlines and reminders.
- Vacation rental operations system One calendar per property, cleaning tasks created from bookings, and owner statements built from the same records.
Guides and articles
View all guides and articles- How to measure the ROI of AI automation Measure the return on AI automation with a baseline, the right metrics and honest accounting of costs.
- AI automation vs traditional automation How rule-based automation and AI automation differ, where each fits and how to combine them.
- How to automate payroll Turn a manual monthly payroll into a reviewed, tested process with accurate payslips and a full audit trail.
- No-code vs custom development Where no-code tools shine, where they hit limits, and when custom software pays off.
- How to connect AI to your database safely Let staff ask questions of your data in plain English without risking production systems or sensitive records.
- How to build an AI workflow with MCP servers Plan, connect and test an AI workflow that uses MCP servers, from a single task to a reliable process.
Glossary terms
View all glossary terms- Workflow automation Workflow automation uses software to move work through a series of steps, such as routing, approvals and notifications, based on rules and events.
- Webhook A webhook is an automatic message one system sends to another's web address when something happens, such as a payment or a new order.
- Automation Automation is using software to perform a task or process with little or no human effort each time it runs.
- Business process automation Business process automation uses software to run a multi-step business process, such as approvals or onboarding, from start to finish with less manual work.
- No-code No-code tools let people build apps, websites and automations with visual editors instead of writing code.
- AI agent An AI agent is software that uses a language model to plan steps, call tools and act toward a goal, instead of only answering one question.
FAQ
Questions people ask us
Have a question that is not here? Ask us directly.
Yes. It is built into n8n at the instance level.
Yes. It can create workflows from code and publish them.
Yes. It runs at the instance level.