n8n-mcp/docs/CLAUDE_CODE_SETUP.md

Claude Code Setup

Connect n8n-MCP to Claude Code CLI for enhanced n8n workflow development from the command line.

Quick Setup via CLI

Basic configuration (documentation tools only)

For Linux, macOS, or Windows (WSL/Git Bash):

claude mcp add n8n-mcp \
  -e MCP_MODE=stdio \
  -e LOG_LEVEL=error \
  -e DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT=true \
  -- npx n8n-mcp

For native Windows PowerShell:

# Note: The backtick ` is PowerShell's line continuation character.
claude mcp add n8n-mcp `
  '-e MCP_MODE=stdio' `
  '-e LOG_LEVEL=error' `
  '-e DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT=true' `
  -- npx n8n-mcp

Full configuration (with n8n management tools)

For Linux, macOS, or Windows (WSL/Git Bash):

claude mcp add n8n-mcp \
  -e MCP_MODE=stdio \
  -e LOG_LEVEL=error \
  -e DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT=true \
  -e N8N_API_URL=https://your-n8n-instance.com \
  -e N8N_API_KEY=your-api-key \
  -- npx n8n-mcp

For native Windows PowerShell:

# Note: The backtick ` is PowerShell's line continuation character.
claude mcp add n8n-mcp `
  '-e MCP_MODE=stdio' `
  '-e LOG_LEVEL=error' `
  '-e DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT=true' `
  '-e N8N_API_URL=https://your-n8n-instance.com' `
  '-e N8N_API_KEY=your-api-key' `
  -- npx n8n-mcp

Make sure to replace https://your-n8n-instance.com with your actual n8n URL and your-api-key with your n8n API key.

Alternative Setup Methods

Option 1: Import from Claude Desktop

If you already have n8n-MCP configured in Claude Desktop:

claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop

Option 2: Project Configuration

For team sharing, add to .mcp.json in your project root:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["n8n-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "MCP_MODE": "stdio",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "error",
        "DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT": "true",
        "N8N_API_URL": "https://your-n8n-instance.com",
        "N8N_API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

Then use with scope flag:

claude mcp add n8n-mcp --scope project

Managing Your MCP Server

Check server status:

claude mcp list
claude mcp get n8n-mcp

During a conversation, use the /mcp command to see server status and available tools.

Remove the server:

claude mcp remove n8n-mcp

🎓 Add Claude Skills (Optional)

Supercharge your n8n workflow building with specialized Claude Code skills! The n8n-skills repository provides 7 complementary skills that teach AI assistants how to build production-ready n8n workflows.

What You Get

• ✅ n8n Expression Syntax - Correct {{}} patterns and common mistakes
• ✅ n8n MCP Tools Expert - How to use n8n-mcp tools effectively
• ✅ n8n Workflow Patterns - 5 proven architectural patterns
• ✅ n8n Validation Expert - Interpret and fix validation errors
• ✅ n8n Node Configuration - Operation-aware setup guidance
• ✅ n8n Code JavaScript - Write effective JavaScript in Code nodes
• ✅ n8n Code Python - Python patterns with limitation awareness

Installation

Method 1: Plugin Installation (Recommended)

/plugin install czlonkowski/n8n-skills

Method 2: Via Marketplace

# Add as marketplace, then browse and install
/plugin marketplace add czlonkowski/n8n-skills

# Then browse available plugins
/plugin install
# Select "n8n-mcp-skills" from the list

Method 3: Manual Installation

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-skills.git

# 2. Copy skills to your Claude Code skills directory
cp -r n8n-skills/skills/* ~/.claude/skills/

# 3. Reload Claude Code
# Skills will activate automatically

For complete installation instructions, configuration options, and usage examples, see the n8n-skills README.

Skills work seamlessly with n8n-mcp to provide expert guidance throughout the workflow building process!

Project Instructions

For optimal results, create a CLAUDE.md file in your project root with the instructions from the main README's Claude Project Setup section.

Tips

• If you're running n8n locally, use http://localhost:5678 as the N8N_API_URL.
• The n8n API credentials are optional. Without them, you'll only have access to documentation and validation tools. With credentials, you get full workflow management capabilities.
• Scope Management:
  • By default, claude mcp add uses --scope local (also called "user scope"), which saves the configuration to your global user settings and keeps API keys private.
  • To share the configuration with your team, use --scope project. This saves the configuration to a .mcp.json file in your project's root directory.
• Switching Scope: The cleanest method is to remove the server and then add it back with the desired scope flag (e.g., claude mcp remove n8n-mcp followed by claude mcp add n8n-mcp --scope project).
• Manual Switching (Advanced): You can manually edit your .claude.json file (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\.claude.json). To switch, cut the "n8n-mcp": { ... } block from the top-level "mcpServers" object (user scope) and paste it into the nested "mcpServers" object under your project's path key (project scope), or vice versa. Important: You may need to restart Claude Code for manual changes to take effect.
• Claude Code will automatically start the MCP server when you begin a conversation.