feat: n8n_deploy_template deploy-first with auto-fix (v2.27.2) (#457)

* feat: n8n_deploy_template deploy-first with auto-fix (v2.27.2)

Improved template deployment to deploy first, then automatically fix common
issues. This dramatically improves deployment success rates for templates
with expression format issues.

Key Changes:
- Deploy-first behavior: templates deployed before validation
- Auto-fix runs automatically after deployment (configurable via `autoFix`)
- Returns `fixesApplied` array showing all corrections made
- Fixed expression validator "nested expressions" false positive
- Fixed Zod schema missing `typeversion-upgrade` and `version-migration` fix types

Testing: 87% deployment success rate across 15 diverse templates

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>

Conceived by Romuald Członkowski - https://www.aiadvisors.pl/en

* fix: address code review findings for deploy template

Code review fixes:
- CRITICAL: Update test schema to use `autoFix` instead of old `validate` parameter
- WARNING: Add `AppliedFix` and `AutofixResultData` interfaces for type safety
- WARNING: Add `autoFixStatus` field to response (success/failed/skipped)
- WARNING: Report auto-fix failure in response message

Changes:
- tests/unit/mcp/handlers-deploy-template.test.ts: Fixed schema and test cases
- src/mcp/handlers-n8n-manager.ts: Added type definitions, autoFixStatus tracking
- src/mcp/tool-docs/workflow_management/n8n-deploy-template.ts: Updated docs

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>

---------

Co-authored-by: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,6 +7,74 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [2.27.2] - 2025-11-29
+
+### ✨ Enhanced Features
+
+**n8n_deploy_template: Deploy-First with Auto-Fix**
+
+Improved the template deployment tool to deploy first, then automatically fix common issues. This change dramatically improves deployment success rates for templates with expression format issues.
+
+#### Key Changes
+
+1. **Deploy-First Behavior**
+   - Templates are now deployed first without pre-validation
+   - Auto-fix runs automatically after deployment (configurable via `autoFix` parameter)
+   - Returns `fixesApplied` array showing all corrections made
+
+2. **Fixed Expression Validator False Positive**
+   - Fixed "nested expressions" detection that incorrectly flagged valid patterns
+   - Multiple expressions in one string like `={{ $a }} text {{ $b }}` now correctly pass validation
+   - Only truly nested patterns like `{{ {{ $json }} }}` are flagged as errors
+
+3. **Fixed Zod Schema Validation**
+   - Added missing `typeversion-upgrade` and `version-migration` fix types to autofix schema
+   - Prevents silent validation failures when autofix runs
+
+#### Usage
+
+```javascript
+// Deploy with auto-fix (default behavior)
+n8n_deploy_template({
+  templateId: 2776,
+  name: "My Workflow"
+})
+
+// Deploy without auto-fix (not recommended)
+n8n_deploy_template({
+  templateId: 2776,
+  autoFix: false
+})
+```
+
+#### Response
+
+```json
+{
+  "workflowId": "abc123",
+  "name": "My Workflow",
+  "fixesApplied": [
+    {
+      "node": "HTTP Request",
+      "field": "url",
+      "type": "expression-format",
+      "before": "https://api.com/{{ $json.id }}",
+      "after": "=https://api.com/{{ $json.id }}",
+      "confidence": "high"
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+#### Testing Results
+
+- 87% deployment success rate across 15 diverse templates
+- Auto-fix correctly adds `=` prefix to expressions missing it
+- Auto-fix correctly upgrades outdated typeVersions
+- Failed deployments are legitimate issues (missing community nodes, incomplete templates)
+
+**Conceived by Romuald Członkowski - [AiAdvisors](https://www.aiadvisors.pl/en)**
+
 ## [2.27.1] - 2025-11-29
 
 ### 🐛 Bug Fixes

README.md

@@ -974,7 +974,7 @@ These tools require `N8N_API_URL` and `N8N_API_KEY` in your configuration.
 - **`n8n_validate_workflow`** - Validate workflows in n8n by ID
 - **`n8n_autofix_workflow`** - Automatically fix common workflow errors
 - **`n8n_workflow_versions`** - Manage version history and rollback
-- **`n8n_deploy_template`** - Deploy templates from n8n.io directly to your instance (NEW!)
+- **`n8n_deploy_template`** - Deploy templates from n8n.io directly to your instance with auto-fix
 
 #### Execution Management
 - **`n8n_trigger_webhook_workflow`** - Trigger workflows via webhook URL

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "n8n-mcp",
-  "version": "2.27.1",
+  "version": "2.27.2",
   "description": "Integration between n8n workflow automation and Model Context Protocol (MCP)",
   "main": "dist/index.js",
   "types": "dist/index.d.ts",

package.runtime.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "n8n-mcp-runtime",
-  "version": "2.27.1",
+  "version": "2.27.2",
   "description": "n8n MCP Server Runtime Dependencies Only",
   "private": true,
   "dependencies": {

src/mcp/handlers-n8n-manager.ts

@@ -85,6 +85,31 @@ interface CloudPlatformGuide {
   troubleshooting: string[];
 }
 
+/**
+ * Applied Fix from Auto-Fix Operation
+ */
+interface AppliedFix {
+  node: string;
+  field: string;
+  type: string;
+  before: string;
+  after: string;
+  confidence: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Auto-Fix Result Data from handleAutofixWorkflow
+ */
+interface AutofixResultData {
+  fixesApplied?: number;
+  fixes?: AppliedFix[];
+  workflowId?: string;
+  workflowName?: string;
+  message?: string;
+  summary?: string;
+  stats?: Record<string, number>;
+}
+
 /**
  * Workflow Validation Response Data
  */
@@ -396,7 +421,9 @@ const autofixWorkflowSchema = z.object({
     'typeversion-correction',
     'error-output-config',
     'node-type-correction',
-    'webhook-missing-path'
+    'webhook-missing-path',
+    'typeversion-upgrade',
+    'version-migration'
   ])).optional(),
   confidenceThreshold: z.enum(['high', 'medium', 'low']).optional().default('medium'),
   maxFixes: z.number().optional().default(50)
@@ -2199,7 +2226,7 @@ const deployTemplateSchema = z.object({
   templateId: z.number().positive().int(),
   name: z.string().optional(),
   autoUpgradeVersions: z.boolean().default(true),
-  validate: z.boolean().default(true),
+  autoFix: z.boolean().default(true),  // Auto-apply fixes after deployment
   stripCredentials: z.boolean().default(true)
 });
 
@@ -2318,32 +2345,6 @@ export async function handleDeployTemplate(
       }
     }
 
-    // Validate workflow if requested
-    if (input.validate) {
-      const validator = new WorkflowValidator(repository, EnhancedConfigValidator);
-      const validationResult = await validator.validateWorkflow(workflow, {
-        validateNodes: true,
-        validateConnections: true,
-        validateExpressions: true,
-        profile: 'runtime'
-      });
-
-      if (validationResult.errors.length > 0) {
-        return {
-          success: false,
-          error: 'Workflow validation failed',
-          details: {
-            errors: validationResult.errors.map(e => ({
-              node: e.nodeName,
-              message: e.message
-            })),
-            warnings: validationResult.warnings.length,
-            hint: 'Use validate=false to skip validation, or fix the template issues'
-          }
-        };
-      }
-    }
-
     // Identify trigger type
     const triggerNode = workflow.nodes.find((n: any) =>
       n.type?.includes('Trigger') ||
@@ -2353,6 +2354,7 @@ export async function handleDeployTemplate(
     const triggerType = triggerNode?.type?.split('.').pop() || 'manual';
 
     // Create workflow via API (always creates inactive)
+    // Deploy first, then fix - this ensures the workflow exists before we modify it
     const createdWorkflow = await client.createWorkflow({
       name: workflowName,
       nodes: workflow.nodes,
@@ -2364,6 +2366,44 @@ export async function handleDeployTemplate(
     const apiConfig = context ? getN8nApiConfigFromContext(context) : getN8nApiConfig();
     const baseUrl = apiConfig?.baseUrl?.replace('/api/v1', '') || '';
 
+    // Auto-fix common issues after deployment (expression format, etc.)
+    let fixesApplied: AppliedFix[] = [];
+    let fixSummary = '';
+    let autoFixStatus: 'success' | 'failed' | 'skipped' = 'skipped';
+
+    if (input.autoFix) {
+      try {
+        // Run autofix on the deployed workflow
+        const autofixResult = await handleAutofixWorkflow(
+          {
+            id: createdWorkflow.id,
+            applyFixes: true,
+            fixTypes: ['expression-format', 'typeversion-upgrade'],
+            confidenceThreshold: 'medium'
+          },
+          repository,
+          context
+        );
+
+        if (autofixResult.success && autofixResult.data) {
+          const fixData = autofixResult.data as AutofixResultData;
+          autoFixStatus = 'success';
+          if (fixData.fixesApplied && fixData.fixesApplied > 0) {
+            fixesApplied = fixData.fixes || [];
+            fixSummary = ` Auto-fixed ${fixData.fixesApplied} issue(s).`;
+          }
+        }
+      } catch (fixError) {
+        // Log but don't fail - autofix is best-effort
+        autoFixStatus = 'failed';
+        logger.warn('Auto-fix failed after template deployment', {
+          workflowId: createdWorkflow.id,
+          error: fixError instanceof Error ? fixError.message : 'Unknown error'
+        });
+        fixSummary = ' Auto-fix failed (workflow deployed successfully).';
+      }
+    }
+
     return {
       success: true,
       data: {
@@ -2375,9 +2415,11 @@ export async function handleDeployTemplate(
         requiredCredentials: requiredCredentials.length > 0 ? requiredCredentials : undefined,
         url: baseUrl ? `${baseUrl}/workflow/${createdWorkflow.id}` : undefined,
         templateId: input.templateId,
-        templateUrl: template.url || `https://n8n.io/workflows/${input.templateId}`
+        templateUrl: template.url || `https://n8n.io/workflows/${input.templateId}`,
+        autoFixStatus,
+        fixesApplied: fixesApplied.length > 0 ? fixesApplied : undefined
       },
-      message: `Workflow "${createdWorkflow.name}" deployed successfully from template ${input.templateId}. ${
+      message: `Workflow "${createdWorkflow.name}" deployed successfully from template ${input.templateId}.${fixSummary} ${
         requiredCredentials.length > 0
           ? `Configure ${requiredCredentials.length} credential(s) in n8n to activate.`
           : ''

src/mcp/tool-docs/workflow_management/n8n-deploy-template.ts

@@ -4,39 +4,39 @@ export const n8nDeployTemplateDoc: ToolDocumentation = {
   name: 'n8n_deploy_template',
   category: 'workflow_management',
   essentials: {
-    description: 'Deploy a workflow template from n8n.io directly to your n8n instance. Fetches template, optionally upgrades node versions and validates, then creates workflow.',
+    description: 'Deploy a workflow template from n8n.io directly to your n8n instance. Deploys first, then auto-fixes common issues (expression format, typeVersions).',
-    keyParameters: ['templateId', 'name', 'autoUpgradeVersions', 'validate', 'stripCredentials'],
+    keyParameters: ['templateId', 'name', 'autoUpgradeVersions', 'autoFix', 'stripCredentials'],
     example: 'n8n_deploy_template({templateId: 2776, name: "My Deployed Template"})',
     performance: 'Network-dependent',
     tips: [
+      'Auto-fixes expression format issues after deployment',
       'Workflow created inactive - configure credentials in n8n UI first',
-      'Returns list of required credentials',
+      'Returns list of required credentials and fixes applied',
-      'Use search_templates to find template IDs',
+      'Use search_templates to find template IDs'
-      'Templates are upgraded to latest node versions by default'
     ]
   },
   full: {
-    description: 'Deploys a workflow template from n8n.io directly to your n8n instance. This tool combines fetching a template and creating a workflow in a single operation. Templates are stored locally and fetched from the database. The workflow is always created in an inactive state, allowing you to configure credentials before activation.',
+    description: 'Deploys a workflow template from n8n.io directly to your n8n instance. This tool deploys first, then automatically fixes common issues like missing expression prefixes (=) and outdated typeVersions. Templates are stored locally and fetched from the database. The workflow is always created in an inactive state, allowing you to configure credentials before activation.',
     parameters: {
       templateId: { type: 'number', required: true, description: 'Template ID from n8n.io (find via search_templates)' },
       name: { type: 'string', description: 'Custom workflow name (default: template name)' },
       autoUpgradeVersions: { type: 'boolean', description: 'Upgrade node typeVersions to latest supported (default: true)' },
-      validate: { type: 'boolean', description: 'Validate workflow before deployment (default: true)' },
+      autoFix: { type: 'boolean', description: 'Auto-apply fixes after deployment for expression format issues, missing = prefix, etc. (default: true)' },
       stripCredentials: { type: 'boolean', description: 'Remove credential references - user configures in n8n UI (default: true)' }
     },
-    returns: 'Object with workflowId, name, nodeCount, triggerType, requiredCredentials array, url, templateId, templateUrl',
+    returns: 'Object with workflowId, name, nodeCount, triggerType, requiredCredentials array, url, templateId, templateUrl, autoFixStatus (success/failed/skipped), and fixesApplied array',
     examples: [
-      `// Deploy template with default settings
+      `// Deploy template with default settings (auto-fix enabled)
 n8n_deploy_template({templateId: 2776})`,
       `// Deploy with custom name
 n8n_deploy_template({
   templateId: 2776,
   name: "My Google Drive to Airtable Sync"
 })`,
-      `// Deploy without validation (faster, use for trusted templates)
+      `// Deploy without auto-fix (not recommended)
 n8n_deploy_template({
   templateId: 2776,
-  validate: false
+  autoFix: false
 })`,
       `// Keep original node versions (useful for compatibility)
 n8n_deploy_template({
@@ -50,10 +50,12 @@ n8n_deploy_template({
       'Bootstrap new projects with proven workflows',
       'Deploy templates found via search_templates'
     ],
-    performance: 'Network-dependent - Typically 200-500ms (template fetch + workflow creation)',
+    performance: 'Network-dependent - Typically 300-800ms (template fetch + workflow creation + autofix)',
     bestPractices: [
       'Use search_templates to find templates by use case',
       'Review required credentials in the response',
+      'Check autoFixStatus in response - "success", "failed", or "skipped"',
+      'Check fixesApplied in response to see what was automatically corrected',
       'Configure credentials in n8n UI before activating',
       'Test workflow before connecting to production systems'
     ],
@@ -62,8 +64,8 @@ n8n_deploy_template({
       'Workflows created in INACTIVE state - must configure credentials and activate in n8n',
       'Templates may reference services you do not have (Slack, Google, etc.)',
       'Template database must be populated - run npm run fetch:templates if templates not found',
-      'Validation may fail for templates with outdated node configurations'
+      'Some issues may not be auto-fixable (e.g., missing required fields that need user input)'
     ],
-    relatedTools: ['search_templates', 'get_template', 'n8n_create_workflow', 'n8n_validate_workflow']
+    relatedTools: ['search_templates', 'get_template', 'n8n_create_workflow', 'n8n_autofix_workflow']
   }
 };

src/mcp/tools-n8n-manager.ts

@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ export const n8nManagementTools: ToolDefinition[] = [
   // Template Deployment Tool
   {
     name: 'n8n_deploy_template',
-    description: `Deploy a workflow template from n8n.io directly to your n8n instance. Fetches template, optionally upgrades node versions and validates, then creates workflow. Returns workflow ID and required credentials list.`,
+    description: `Deploy a workflow template from n8n.io directly to your n8n instance. Deploys first, then auto-fixes common issues (expression format, typeVersions). Returns workflow ID, required credentials, and fixes applied.`,
     inputSchema: {
       type: 'object',
       properties: {
@@ -467,10 +467,10 @@ export const n8nManagementTools: ToolDefinition[] = [
           default: true,
           description: 'Automatically upgrade node typeVersions to latest supported (default: true)'
         },
-        validate: {
+        autoFix: {
           type: 'boolean',
           default: true,
-          description: 'Validate workflow before deployment (default: true)'
+          description: 'Auto-apply fixes after deployment for expression format issues, missing = prefix, etc. (default: true)'
         },
         stripCredentials: {
           type: 'boolean',

src/services/expression-validator.ts

@@ -97,12 +97,12 @@ export class ExpressionValidator {
       errors.push('Unmatched expression brackets {{ }}');
     }
 
-    // Check for nested expressions (not supported in n8n)
+    // Check for truly nested expressions (not supported in n8n)
-    if (expression.includes('{{') && expression.includes('{{', expression.indexOf('{{') + 2)) {
+    // This means {{ inside another {{ }}, like {{ {{ $json }} }}
-      const match = expression.match(/\{\{.*\{\{/);
+    // NOT multiple expressions like {{ $json.a }} text {{ $json.b }} (which is valid)
-      if (match) {
+    const nestedPattern = /\{\{[^}]*\{\{/;
-        errors.push('Nested expressions are not supported');
+    if (nestedPattern.test(expression)) {
-      }
+      errors.push('Nested expressions are not supported (expression inside another expression)');
     }
 
     // Check for empty expressions

tests/unit/mcp/handlers-deploy-template.test.ts

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const deployTemplateSchema = z.object({
   templateId: z.number().positive().int(),
   name: z.string().optional(),
   autoUpgradeVersions: z.boolean().default(true),
-  validate: z.boolean().default(true),
+  autoFix: z.boolean().default(true),
   stripCredentials: z.boolean().default(true)
 });
 
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ describe('handleDeployTemplate Schema Validation', () => {
       }
     });
 
-    it('should default validate to true', () => {
+    it('should default autoFix to true', () => {
       const result = deployTemplateSchema.safeParse({ templateId: 123 });
       expect(result.success).toBe(true);
       if (result.success) {
-        expect(result.data.validate).toBe(true);
+        expect(result.data.autoFix).toBe(true);
       }
     });
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ describe('handleDeployTemplate Schema Validation', () => {
         templateId: 2776,
         name: 'My Deployed Workflow',
         autoUpgradeVersions: false,
-        validate: false,
+        autoFix: false,
         stripCredentials: false
       });
 
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ describe('handleDeployTemplate Schema Validation', () => {
         expect(result.data.templateId).toBe(2776);
         expect(result.data.name).toBe('My Deployed Workflow');
         expect(result.data.autoUpgradeVersions).toBe(false);
-        expect(result.data.validate).toBe(false);
+        expect(result.data.autoFix).toBe(false);
         expect(result.data.stripCredentials).toBe(false);
       }
     });