Files
n8n-skills/README.md
czlonkowski c84d605f30 feat: Add Claude Code plugin and marketplace support
Implement full Claude Code plugin structure with marketplace support,
enabling easy installation via /plugin commands.

## Changes

### Plugin Structure (Standard Compliant)

**Created `.claude-plugin/` directory with:**
- `plugin.json` - Moved from root, updated to standard schema
- `marketplace.json` - NEW: Enables marketplace discovery

**plugin.json changes:**
-  Removed non-standard `skills` array (auto-discovered from skills/ directory)
-  Removed non-standard `requires` field
-  Updated `author` from string to object with name and url
-  Added `homepage` field
-  Follows official Claude Code plugin schema

### Installation Methods

**Method 1 - Direct Plugin Install** (Recommended):
```bash
/plugin install czlonkowski/n8n-skills
```

**Method 2 - Marketplace**:
```bash
/plugin marketplace add czlonkowski/n8n-skills
/plugin install  # Then select from list
```

**Method 3 - Manual**: Clone and copy (unchanged)

### Repository Structure

```
n8n-skills/
├── .claude-plugin/          # NEW - Plugin metadata
│   ├── plugin.json          # Standard schema
│   └── marketplace.json     # Marketplace listing
├── skills/                  # Auto-discovered by Claude Code
│   ├── n8n-expression-syntax/
│   ├── n8n-mcp-tools-expert/
│   ├── n8n-workflow-patterns/
│   ├── n8n-validation-expert/
│   └── n8n-node-configuration/
└── dist/
    └── n8n-mcp-skills-claude-code-v1.0.0.zip  # Updated with .claude-plugin/
```

### Benefits

 **One-command installation**: `/plugin install czlonkowski/n8n-skills`
 **Marketplace ready**: Can be browsed via marketplace UI
 **Auto-discovery**: Skills automatically detected from skills/ directory
 **Standard compliant**: Follows official Claude Code plugin specification
 **Dual distribution**: Works as both plugin and marketplace

### Documentation

Updated README.md with three installation methods:
1. Plugin install (recommended)
2. Marketplace browse and install
3. Manual installation (backward compatible)

Distribution package regenerated with .claude-plugin/ directory.

🤖 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
2025-10-20 13:15:33 +02:00

249 lines
6.9 KiB
Markdown

# n8n-skills
**Expert Claude Code skills for building flawless n8n workflows using the n8n-mcp MCP server**
[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](LICENSE)
[![n8n-mcp](https://img.shields.io/badge/n8n--mcp-compatible-green.svg)](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp)
---
## 🎯 What is this?
This repository contains 5 complementary **Claude Code skills** that teach AI assistants how to build production-ready n8n workflows using the [n8n-mcp](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp) MCP server.
### Why These Skills Exist
Building n8n workflows programmatically can be challenging. Common issues include:
- Using MCP tools incorrectly or inefficiently
- Getting stuck in validation error loops
- Not knowing which workflow patterns to use
- Misconfiguring nodes and their dependencies
These skills solve these problems by teaching Claude:
- ✅ Correct n8n expression syntax ({{}} patterns)
- ✅ How to use n8n-mcp tools effectively
- ✅ Proven workflow patterns from real-world usage
- ✅ Validation error interpretation and fixing
- ✅ Operation-aware node configuration
---
## 📚 The 5 Skills
### 1. **n8n Expression Syntax**
Teaches correct n8n expression syntax and common patterns.
**Activates when**: Writing expressions, using {{}} syntax, accessing $json/$node variables, troubleshooting expression errors.
**Key Features**:
- Core variables ($json, $node, $now, $env)
- **Critical gotcha**: Webhook data is under `$json.body`
- Common mistakes catalog with fixes
- When NOT to use expressions (Code nodes!)
### 2. **n8n MCP Tools Expert** (HIGHEST PRIORITY)
Expert guide for using n8n-mcp MCP tools effectively.
**Activates when**: Searching for nodes, validating configurations, accessing templates, managing workflows.
**Key Features**:
- Tool selection guide (which tool for which task)
- nodeType format differences (nodes-base.* vs n8n-nodes-base.*)
- Validation profiles (minimal/runtime/ai-friendly/strict)
- Smart parameters (branch="true" for IF nodes)
- Auto-sanitization system explained
**Most Important**: Teaches correct MCP tool usage patterns and parameter formats
### 3. **n8n Workflow Patterns**
Build workflows using 5 proven architectural patterns.
**Activates when**: Creating workflows, connecting nodes, designing automation.
**Key Features**:
- 5 proven patterns (webhook processing, HTTP API, database, AI, scheduled)
- Workflow creation checklist
- Real examples from 2,653+ n8n templates
- Connection best practices
- Pattern selection guide
### 4. **n8n Validation Expert**
Interpret validation errors and guide fixing.
**Activates when**: Validation fails, debugging workflow errors, handling false positives.
**Key Features**:
- Validation loop workflow
- Real error catalog
- Auto-sanitization behavior explained
- False positives guide
- Profile selection for different stages
### 5. **n8n Node Configuration**
Operation-aware node configuration guidance.
**Activates when**: Configuring nodes, understanding property dependencies, setting up AI workflows.
**Key Features**:
- Property dependency rules (e.g., sendBody → contentType)
- Operation-specific requirements
- AI connection types (8 types for AI Agent workflows)
- Common configuration patterns
---
## 🚀 Installation
### Prerequisites
1. **n8n-mcp MCP server** installed and configured ([Installation Guide](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp))
2. **Claude Code**, Claude.ai, or Claude API access
3. `.mcp.json` configured with n8n-mcp server
### Claude Code
**Method 1: Plugin Installation** (Recommended)
```bash
# Install directly as a Claude Code plugin
/plugin install czlonkowski/n8n-skills
```
**Method 2: Via Marketplace**
```bash
# 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**
```bash
# 1. Clone this 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
```
### Claude.ai
1. Download individual skill folders from `skills/`
2. Zip each skill folder
3. Upload via Settings → Capabilities → Skills
### API / SDK
See [docs/INSTALLATION.md](docs/INSTALLATION.md) for detailed instructions.
---
## 💡 Usage
Skills activate **automatically** when relevant queries are detected:
```
"How do I write n8n expressions?"
→ Activates: n8n Expression Syntax
"Find me a Slack node"
→ Activates: n8n MCP Tools Expert
"Build a webhook workflow"
→ Activates: n8n Workflow Patterns
"Why is validation failing?"
→ Activates: n8n Validation Expert
"How do I configure the HTTP Request node?"
→ Activates: n8n Node Configuration
```
### Skills Work Together
When you ask: **"Build and validate a webhook to Slack workflow"**
1. **n8n Workflow Patterns** identifies webhook processing pattern
2. **n8n MCP Tools Expert** searches for webhook and Slack nodes
3. **n8n Node Configuration** guides node setup
4. **n8n Expression Syntax** helps with data mapping
5. **n8n Validation Expert** validates the final workflow
All 5 skills compose seamlessly!
---
## 📖 Documentation
- [Installation Guide](docs/INSTALLATION.md) - Detailed installation for all platforms
- [Usage Guide](docs/USAGE.md) - How to use skills effectively
- [Development Guide](docs/DEVELOPMENT.md) - Contributing and testing
- [MCP Testing Log](docs/MCP_TESTING_LOG.md) - Real tool responses used in skills
---
## 🧪 Testing
Each skill includes 3+ evaluations for quality assurance:
```bash
# Run evaluations (if testing framework available)
npm test
# Or manually test with Claude
claude-code --skill n8n-expression-syntax "Test webhook data access"
```
---
## 🤝 Contributing
Contributions welcome! Please see [DEVELOPMENT.md](docs/DEVELOPMENT.md) for guidelines.
### Development Approach
1. **Evaluation-First**: Write test scenarios before implementation
2. **MCP-Informed**: Test tools, document real responses
3. **Iterative**: Test against evaluations, iterate until 100% pass
4. **Concise**: Keep SKILL.md under 500 lines
5. **Real Examples**: All examples from real templates/tools
---
## 📝 License
MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.
---
## 🙏 Credits
**Conceived by Romuald Członkowski**
- Website: [www.aiadvisors.pl/en](https://www.aiadvisors.pl/en)
- Part of the [n8n-mcp project](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp)
---
## 🔗 Related Projects
- [n8n-mcp](https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp) - MCP server for n8n
- [n8n](https://n8n.io/) - Workflow automation platform
---
## 📊 What's Included
- **5** complementary skills that work together
- **525+** n8n nodes supported
- **2,653+** workflow templates for examples
- **Comprehensive** error catalogs and troubleshooting guides
---
**Ready to build flawless n8n workflows? Get started now!** 🚀