name	n8n
description	N8N Documentation - Workflow automation platform with AI capabilities

N8N Skill

Comprehensive assistance with n8n development, generated from official documentation. n8n is a fair-code licensed workflow automation tool that combines AI capabilities with business process automation.

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be triggered when:

Building or debugging n8n workflows
Working with the Code node (JavaScript or Python)
Using expressions and data transformations
Implementing AI agents, chains, or RAG workflows
Configuring n8n deployments (Docker, npm, self-hosted)
Setting up webhooks, credentials, or integrations
Handling errors in workflows
Scaling n8n with queue mode
Creating custom nodes or white labeling n8n
Using the n8n API programmatically
Working with LangChain in n8n
Migrating to n8n v1.0

Key Concepts

Core Components

Workflows: Visual automation flows with nodes connected together
Nodes: Individual operations in a workflow (trigger, action, logic, etc.)
Expressions: Code snippets using {{ }} syntax to access and transform data
Credentials: Secure storage for API keys and authentication
Executions: Individual workflow runs with their data and status

Data Structure

n8n passes data between nodes as items (array of JSON objects)
Each item has a json property containing the main data
Binary data is stored separately in the binary property
Use $json to access current item's data in expressions

AI Capabilities

Agents: AI that can use tools and make decisions
Chains: Predefined sequences of AI operations
Memory: Store conversation history for context
Tools: Functions that AI agents can call
Vector Databases: Store and retrieve embeddings for RAG

Quick Reference

Example 1: Basic Expression to Access Data

// Access data from the current item
{{ $json.name }}

// Access data from a specific node
{{ $node["HTTP Request"].json.response }}

// Access all items from a node
{{ $("HTTP Request").all() }}

Example 2: HTTP Request with Authentication

When working with the HTTP Request node, handle errors and rate limits:

// In HTTP Request node settings:
// - Enable "Retry on Fail"
// - Set Max Tries to 3
// - Set Wait Between Tries (ms) to 1000

// For rate limiting, use Batching:
// - Items per Batch: 10
// - Batch Interval (ms): 1000

Example 3: Code Node - Transform Data (JavaScript)

// Access input data
const items = $input.all();

// Transform each item
return items.map(item => {
  return {
    json: {
      fullName: `${item.json.firstName} ${item.json.lastName}`,
      email: item.json.email.toLowerCase(),
      timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
    }
  };
});

Example 4: Code Node - Filter Data (Python)

# Filter items based on a condition
output = []

for item in items:
    if item['json']['status'] == 'active':
        output.append({
            'json': {
                'id': item['json']['id'],
                'name': item['json']['name']
            }
        })

return output

Example 5: Expression - Date Handling with Luxon

// Current date
{{ $now }}

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

// Add 7 days
{{ $now.plus({ days: 7 }) }}

// Parse and format custom date
{{ DateTime.fromISO($json.dateString).toFormat('LLL dd, yyyy') }}

Example 6: JWT Authentication Credential

For APIs requiring JWT authentication:

// Use JWT credential with:
// - Key Type: Passphrase (for HMAC) or PEM Key (for RSA/ECDSA)
// - Secret: Your secret key
// - Algorithm: HS256, RS256, ES256, etc.

// The JWT credential automatically generates tokens
// Use it in HTTP Request node > Authentication > JWT

Example 7: Handle Errors in Workflow

// In Code node, use try-catch:
try {
  const result = $json.data.someField.toUpperCase();
  return [{ json: { result } }];
} catch (error) {
  // Return error information
  return [{
    json: {
      error: error.message,
      originalData: $json
    }
  }];
}

// Or set up Error Workflow in Workflow Settings
// to catch all failures and send notifications

Example 8: Pagination in HTTP Request

// Use pagination to fetch all pages
// In HTTP Request node > Pagination:

// Type: Generic Pagination
// Request URL: {{ $url }}&page={{ $pageNumber }}
// Complete When: {{ $response.body.hasMore === false }}
// Next Page URL: Automatic

Example 9: AI Agent with Tools

// In AI Agent node:
// 1. Connect a Chat Model (OpenAI, etc.)
// 2. Add tools (Calculator, HTTP Request, etc.)
// 3. Configure memory if needed

// The agent can:
// - Analyze user input
// - Decide which tools to use
// - Execute tools and process results
// - Return final answer

Example 10: Environment Variables and Static Data

// Access environment variables
{{ $env.MY_API_KEY }}

// Store workflow static data (persists across executions)
const staticData = getWorkflowStaticData('global');
staticData.lastRun = new Date().toISOString();
staticData.counter = (staticData.counter || 0) + 1;

// Retrieve static data
{{ $workflow.staticData.counter }}

Reference Files

This skill includes comprehensive documentation in references/:

llms-txt.md - Complete n8n documentation formatted for LLMs
- Installation and setup guides
- Node reference documentation
- API documentation
- Code examples and patterns
- Configuration options
- Troubleshooting guides
llms-full.md - Extended documentation with deep technical details
- Advanced configuration
- Scaling and performance
- Security and authentication
- Custom node development
- White labeling and embed options

Use view to read specific reference files when detailed information is needed.

Working with This Skill

For Beginners

Start with basic workflow creation:
- Trigger nodes (Webhook, Schedule, Manual)
- Action nodes (HTTP Request, Set, Edit Fields)
- Learn expression syntax with simple {{ $json.field }} access
Understand data structure:
- Each node outputs an array of items
- Use the data inspector to see item structure
- Practice with the Edit Fields node for data transformation
Common patterns:
- Webhook → HTTP Request → Set → Respond to Webhook
- Schedule → Code → HTTP Request → Conditional
- Manual → Loop Over Items → Process Each

For Intermediate Users

Master the Code node:
- JavaScript mode for complex transformations
- Access $input.all() for all items
- Return properly formatted items with json property
Work with expressions:
- Use built-in methods: .first(), .last(), .item
- Date manipulation with Luxon
- JMESPath for complex JSON queries
Error handling:
- Use Try-Catch in Code nodes
- Set up Error Workflows
- Configure Retry on Fail for API calls
Data operations:
- Merge data from multiple sources
- Split and filter items
- Loop over items for batch processing

For Advanced Users

AI and LangChain:
- Build AI agents with custom tools
- Implement RAG with vector databases
- Use memory for conversational workflows
- Chain multiple AI operations
Scaling and performance:
- Configure queue mode for distributed execution
- Optimize database settings
- Use execution data pruning
- Configure task runners
Custom development:
- Create custom nodes
- White label n8n for embedding
- Use the n8n API for workflow management
- Implement external secrets with AWS/Azure/GCP
Advanced patterns:
- Sub-workflows for reusability
- Webhook authentication and validation
- Complex data transformations with JMESPath
- Real-time data processing with SSE/WebSockets

Common Issues and Solutions

HTTP Request Errors

400 Bad Request: Check query parameters and array formatting
403 Forbidden: Verify credentials and API permissions
429 Rate Limit: Use Batching or Retry on Fail options
404 Not Found: Verify endpoint URL is correct

Expression Errors

Workflows now fail on expression errors in v1.0+
Set up Error Workflows to catch failures
Test expressions in the expression editor
Check for undefined values before accessing properties

Data Type Issues

Use .toString(), .toNumber() for type conversion
Handle null/undefined with {{ $json.field || 'default' }}
Binary data requires special handling with buffers

Migration to v1.0

New execution order (depth-first instead of breadth-first)
Python support in Code node (Pyodide)
Mandatory user management (no more BasicAuth)
WebSocket push backend is now default
Node 18.17.0 or higher required

Environment Configuration

Docker Setup

# Basic n8n with Docker
docker run -it --rm \
  --name n8n \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

# With environment variables
docker run -it --rm \
  --name n8n \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=password \
  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

Key Environment Variables

N8N_HOST: Hostname (default: localhost)
N8N_PORT: Port (default: 5678)
N8N_PROTOCOL: http or https
WEBHOOK_URL: External webhook URL
N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY: Encryption key for credentials
DB_TYPE: Database type (sqlite, postgres)
EXECUTIONS_MODE: queue or main (queue for scaling)

n8n

Install Skill

SKILL.md