n8n Automation Skill

Build, test, and deploy n8n workflows via REST API with incremental testing.

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When This Skill Loads (DO THIS IMMEDIATELY)

Step 1: Read Reference Files

Use the Read tool to read these files NOW:
1. Read references/pitfalls.md (critical command format rules)
2. Read references/build-process.md (step-by-step build workflow)

Step 2: Check .env Configuration

Read the .env file in the working directory to verify:
- N8N_API_URL is set
- N8N_API_KEY is set
- N8N_CREDENTIALS_TEMPLATE_URL is set

If any values are missing, ask the user for ALL of them in a single prompt.

Step 3: Create a Todo List

After understanding the user's request, create a todo list using TaskCreate.

SKILL LOADS -> READ FILES IMMEDIATELY -> CHECK .env -> THEN respond to user

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Critical Rules

1. USE THE TOOLS THE USER SPECIFIES

If the user mentions specific tools, nodes, or services - YOU MUST USE THEM.

User says "use Apify" -> You use Apify node
User says "use OpenAI" -> You use OpenAI Chat Model

Never substitute, skip, or defer user-requested tools.

2. NEVER Simplify When Hitting Errors - FIX THE ISSUE

Loop node has error -> Debug why -> Fix the loop configuration

Don't switch to "simpler" approaches. Keep the correct architecture.

3. Only Use Nodes From Credentials Template

Never add nodes requiring authentication unless:

1. The node exists in the user's credentials template, OR
2. The user explicitly asks to use that specific tool/service

4. Only Use Node Types/Versions That Are INSTALLED

Always copy type AND typeVersion from the credentials template.

5. One Node at a Time

ADD NODE -> TEST -> ADD NEXT NODE -> TEST -> REPEAT

NEVER add 2+ nodes without testing between them.

6. NEVER Delete or Deactivate Workflows - UPDATE Instead

Node fails -> Debug the error -> Update the same workflow (PUT)

One workflow ID for the entire build process.

7. Use Native Nodes First

Priority	Use When
1. Native node	Built-in exists (Slack, Sheets, etc.)
2. AI Agent node	For ANY AI/LLM task
3. Loop node	For processing multiple items
4. HTTP Request	Native has issues OR no node exists
5. Code node	Complex logic only

8. No Mock Data

Never use placeholder URLs, fake IDs, or "REPLACE_ME" values.

9. Test with 2 Items

Always set limit=2 on data-fetching nodes for fast testing.

10. Only Work With User-Specified Workflows

Never check, run, or modify workflows the user didn't mention.

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Build Process

Step 0: Fetch Schema (If Database Involved)

1. Create temp workflow: Webhook + getSchema/getAll node
2. Execute to fetch actual field names
3. Use exact field names in main workflow

Step 1: Create Workflow with Trigger

1. Read references/triggers.md
2. Create workflow with trigger only
3. Test trigger

Step 2: Add Each Node

1. Read relevant reference file for this node type
2. Add ONE node to workflow
3. Test workflow
4. If ERROR -> fix -> retry
5. If SUCCESS -> move to next node

Step 3: Final Verification

1. All nodes added and tested
2. Workflow activated
3. Report success to user

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API Methods Quick Reference

Operation	Method	Endpoint
Create	POST	/api/v1/workflows
Update	PUT	/api/v1/workflows/{id}
Activate	POST	/api/v1/workflows/{id}/activate
Deactivate	POST	/api/v1/workflows/{id}/deactivate
Delete	DELETE	/api/v1/workflows/{id}
Execute	POST	/webhook/{path}

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API Call Format

CRITICAL RULES:

1. NEVER write JSON files to disk - Always use API directly
2. NEVER use \ line continuations - Causes errors
3. Always single-line commands - Or heredoc for large JSON

GET:

export $(cat .env | grep -v '^#' | xargs) && curl -s "${N8N_API_URL}/api/v1/ENDPOINT" -H "X-N8N-API-KEY: ${N8N_API_KEY}" | jq .

POST/PUT (large JSON):

export $(cat .env | grep -v '^#' | xargs) && curl -s -X POST "${N8N_API_URL}/api/v1/workflows" -H "X-N8N-API-KEY: ${N8N_API_KEY}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d "$(cat <<'EOF'
{
  "name": "My Workflow",
  "nodes": [...],
  "connections": {},
  "settings": {"executionOrder": "v1"}
}
EOF
)"

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Workflow JSON Structure

{
  "name": "Workflow Name",
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "unique-node-id",
      "name": "Node Display Name",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.nodeName",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [250, 300],
      "parameters": {},
      "credentials": {}
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Source Node Name": {
      "main": [[{"node": "Target Node Name", "type": "main", "index": 0}]]
    }
  },
  "settings": {"executionOrder": "v1"}
}

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Reference Files

Read these files as needed using the Read tool:

Core API & Build Process

File	Contents
references/api-reference.md	All API commands (CRUD, executions, tags, variables)
references/build-process.md	Step-by-step build-test workflow
references/pitfalls.md	CRITICAL: Command format rules, common mistakes

Node Reference

File	Contents
references/triggers.md	Webhook, Schedule, Form, Chat, and service triggers
references/ai-nodes.md	AI Agent, OpenAI/Anthropic Chat Models, Memory, Vector Store
references/data-nodes.md	Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion, Postgres, Slack, Gmail, etc.
references/transform-nodes.md	Set, If, Switch, Filter, Merge, Code, HTTP Request, Loops

Code & Expressions

File	Contents
references/javascript.md	JavaScript patterns for Code nodes
references/python.md	Python patterns for Code nodes
references/node-config.md	Node configurations and workflow patterns
references/expressions.md	Expression syntax ({{ $json.field }})
references/credentials.md	Credential template usage

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Node Selection Flow

Before adding ANY node:

1. Read the relevant reference file (triggers.md, ai-nodes.md, etc.)
2. Check if node is in credentials template
3. Get correct typeVersion and parameters
4. If DATABASE node -> FETCH SCHEMA first
5. Add node with correct config

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Expression Quick Reference

// Webhook body (CRITICAL - data is under .body!)
{{ $json.body.fieldName }}

// Other node reference
{{ $('Node Name').item.json.field }}

// Default value
{{ $json.field ?? 'default' }}

// Safe access
{{ $json.obj?.nested?.field }}

// Current date
{{ $now.toFormat('yyyy-MM-dd') }}

In Code nodes, use plain JavaScript - NOT {{ }}:

const data = $input.first().json.body;
return [{ json: { result: data.fieldName } }];

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Code Node Quick Reference

JavaScript

// Input access
const items = $input.all();
const first = $input.first().json;

// Other nodes
const data = $('Node Name').first().json;

// Return (MUST be array with json key)
return [{ json: { result: 'value' } }];

Python

# Input access
items = _input.all()
first = _input.first().json

# Return (MUST be list)
return [{"json": {"result": "value"}}]

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Testing After Each Node

# 1. Activate
curl -X POST "${N8N_API_URL}/api/v1/workflows/{id}/activate"

# 2. Execute
curl -X POST "${N8N_API_URL}/webhook/{path}" -d '{}'

# 3. Check status
curl "${N8N_API_URL}/api/v1/executions?limit=1" | jq '.data[0].status'

# 4. Verify node ran
curl "${N8N_API_URL}/api/v1/executions/{id}?includeData=true" | jq '.data.resultData.runData | keys'

Do NOT proceed until status = "success" and new node appears in runData.

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What to Report to User

After successful build:

Build Progress:
1. Webhook trigger - working
2. HTTP Request - working (2 results)
3. Google Sheets - working

- Workflow: My Workflow
- URL: https://n8n.example.com/workflow/abc123
- Status: Active

If manual config needed:

Workflow built and partially tested!

Google Sheets requires manual setup:
- Open workflow in n8n UI
- Select your spreadsheet
- Save