n8n Architect

Use this skill for workflow engineering. Use the n8n-manager skill for instance, auth, runtime, tunnel, project-default, credential infrastructure, or workflow presentation work.

Context Root Protocol

• Treat the current context root as the directory containing n8nac-config.json, AGENTS.md, .agents/skills, and the workflow sync folder.
• {{N8NAC_CONTEXT_ROOT_HINT}}
• Before any n8n work, first run {{N8NAC_CMD}} update-ai from the context root, then read AGENTS.md. update-ai is designed to create or refresh the n8n-as-code block without destroying existing user or agent instructions.
• Use the exact n8nac command and n8n-manager command listed in AGENTS.md. Those context-root commands override the portable examples in this skill.
• Run every {{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace ..., {{N8NAC_CMD}} list, pull, push, validate, test, and update-ai command from the context root unless the user explicitly gives another context root.
• AGENTS.md is bootstrap context only, not a source of configuration truth.
• Do not infer instance, project, sync folder, or workflow directory from AGENTS.md.
• Before n8n work, resolve the effective context from the backend:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace status --json

• Use the returned workflowDir for workflow files. Do not reconstruct it from syncFolder, instanceIdentifier, or projectName.
• Never write n8nac-config.json by hand. Use {{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace ... commands.

Bootstrap Order

1. cd to the context root.
2. Run {{N8NAC_CMD}} update-ai, then read AGENTS.md.
3. Run {{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace status --json.
4. If the context root is not ready, inspect instances with {{N8N_MANAGER_CMD}} instances list.
5. Reuse an existing instance when suitable.
6. If no suitable instance exists, stop and ask the user whether they want to reuse/configure an existing instance, create a managed local n8n instance, or connect an existing/remote n8n instance. Do not create infrastructure by default. If the user chooses a managed local instance, ask separately whether they want a public tunnel.
7. Ask for host/API key only for an explicitly remote or existing n8n instance.
8. Configure context-root overrides with:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace pin-instance --instance-id <id>
{{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace set-sync-folder workflows
{{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace set-project --project-id <id> --project-name <name>

For self-hosted n8n instances where the projects API is unavailable or returns 401/403, do not keep retrying project discovery. Use the standard personal project override unless the user gave another project:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} workspace set-project --project-id personal --project-name Personal

9. Run {{N8NAC_CMD}} update-ai after changing context-root overrides when the facade does not do it automatically.

Sync Discipline

• Pull before reading or modifying an existing workflow.
• Push after every modification.
• Use list to inspect workflow IDs, file paths, and sync status.

{{N8NAC_CMD}} list
{{N8NAC_CMD}} pull <workflowId>
{{N8NAC_CMD}} push <path-to-workflow.workflow.ts> --verify

• push requires the full workflow file path, either absolute or context-root-relative. Do not pass a bare filename.
• For a new workflow, create the file inside the workflowDir returned by workspace status --json, then confirm it with {{N8NAC_CMD}} list --local.
• If push/pull reports a conflict, use explicit resolution commands. Do not overwrite remote changes blindly.
• pull and conflict resolution operate on a single workflow ID.
• list is the lightweight command that covers all workflows at once.
• If you skip pull, a later push can be rejected by optimistic concurrency control when the remote changed.

Conflict Handling

If push or pull reports a conflict, stop and inspect the conflict. Use explicit resolution commands only after choosing the intended direction:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} resolve <workflowId> --mode keep-current
{{N8NAC_CMD}} resolve <workflowId> --mode keep-incoming

• keep-current force-pushes the local version.
• keep-incoming force-pulls the remote version.
• Never silently force-push over a remote change.

Schema-First Research

Never guess n8n node parameters.

{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} examples search "<workflow pattern>"
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} search "<node or capability>"
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} node-info <nodeName>
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} validate <workflow.workflow.ts>

• Use exact node type and valid typeVersion values from node-info.
• Use exact resource, operation, option, and parameter names from schema output.
• Do not invent parameters, operations, credential types, or CLI flags.
• Treat schema output as the absolute source of truth even if examples or memory disagree.
• Prefer the highest valid typeVersion returned by schema output.
• For fixed collections such as Switch/If rules, Wait form fields, or nested options, read the full node-info output before writing values.

Knowledge Commands

Use these commands instead of guessing:

{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} search "<node or capability>"
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} node-info <nodeName>
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} node-schema <nodeName>
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} docs "<topic>"
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} guides "<topic>"
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} examples search "<workflow pattern>"
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} examples info <id>
{{N8NAC_SKILLS_CMD}} examples download <id>

• Start with examples search when the user asks for a common automation pattern.
• Use examples to learn patterns, not as authority over current node schemas.
• If a command or flag is unfamiliar, run {{N8NAC_CMD}} <subcommand> --help; do not invent flags.

Workflow Authoring Rules

• Use TypeScript decorators from @n8n-as-code/transformer.
• Regular nodes connect with source.out(0).to(target.in(0)).
• AI sub-nodes connect with .uses(), never .out().to().
• ai_tool and ai_document connections are arrays: ai_tool: [this.Tool.output].
• Other AI connection types are single refs, such as ai_languageModel: this.Model.output.
• Check node-info for connection-dependent boolean flags before declaring .uses() connections.

Every .workflow.ts file starts with a <workflow-map> block. Read that map first, locate the property name you need, then read only the relevant class section.

Minimal Workflow Structure

import { workflow, node, links } from '@n8n-as-code/transformer';

@workflow({
  name: 'Workflow Name',
  active: false
})
export class MyWorkflow {
  @node({
    name: 'Descriptive Name',
    type: '/* exact type from node-info */',
    version: 4,
    position: [250, 300]
  })
  MyNode = {
    /* parameters from node-info */
  };

  @node({
    name: 'Next Node',
    type: '/* exact type from node-info */',
    version: 3,
    position: [520, 300]
  })
  NextNode = {};

  @links()
  defineRouting() {
    this.MyNode.out(0).to(this.NextNode.in(0));
  }
}

Expression Syntax

• Prefer modern expressions: {{ $json.fieldName }}.
• Use specific-node expressions when needed: {{ $('Node Name').item.json.field }}.
• Avoid legacy $node["Name"].json.field unless you are preserving an existing workflow and have a reason.
• In Switch/If comparisons, value1 is the expression being evaluated and value2 is the literal comparison value.

Node Naming

• Use descriptive names such as Get Customers, Send Slack Alert, or Normalize Payload.
• Avoid names like Node1, HTTP Request, or Code when a more specific name is available.
• Connection references must match the exact node property names in the TypeScript class.

Reading Workflow Files Efficiently

Use the <workflow-map> block as the index before loading large workflow files.

// <workflow-map>
// Workflow : My Workflow
// Nodes   : 12  |  Connections: 14
//
// NODE INDEX
// Property name                    Node type (short)         Flags
// ScheduleTrigger                  scheduleTrigger
// AgentGenerateApplication         agent                      [AI] [creds]
// OpenaiChatModel                  lmChatOpenAi               [creds] [ai_languageModel]
// Memory                           memoryBufferWindow         [ai_memory]
// GithubCheckBranchRef             httpRequest                [onError->out(1)]
//
// ROUTING MAP
// ScheduleTrigger
//   -> Configuration
//     -> BuildProfileSources -> LoopOverProfileSources
//
// AI CONNECTIONS
// AgentGenerateApplication.uses({ ai_languageModel: OpenaiChatModel, ai_memory: Memory })
// </workflow-map>

Navigation rule:

1. Read <workflow-map> first.
2. Locate the property name you need.
3. Search for that property in the file.
4. Read only the relevant node or routing section unless broader context is required.

AI And LangChain Node Rules

AI sub-nodes are not regular data-flow nodes.

@links()
defineRouting() {
  this.ChatTrigger.out(0).to(this.AiAgent.in(0));

  this.AiAgent.uses({
    ai_languageModel: this.OpenaiModel.output,
    ai_memory: this.Memory.output,
    ai_outputParser: this.OutputParser.output,
    ai_tool: [this.SearchTool.output],
  });
}

• Use .uses() for language models, memory, tools, parsers, embeddings, vector stores, retrievers, and other AI sub-nodes.
• Never connect AI sub-nodes with .out().to().
• ai_tool and ai_document must be arrays.
• Most other AI connection types are single refs.
• Some nodes require boolean flags to expose AI ports or gated parameters. Check node-info before declaring .uses().

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Wrong node type: use the exact full type returned by schema output, including package prefix when provided.
• Outdated or non-existent typeVersion: use a value from the schema output.
• Invalid operation/resource value: use exact option values from the schema.
• Mismatched resource and operation: each resource enables its own operations.
• Guessing nested structures: fixed collections have exact shapes.
• Wrong connection names: match TypeScript property names exactly.
• Inventing nodes, credentials, operations, or parameters.
• Connecting AI sub-nodes with .out().to().
• Using ai_tool: this.Tool.output instead of ai_tool: [this.Tool.output].
• Inverting Switch/If value1 and value2.
• Using old Wait form structures such as formFieldsUi.fieldItems when the current schema expects formFields: { values: [...] }.
• Passing a bare filename to push.
• Treating Class A runtime/config gaps as workflow-code bugs.

Verify, Test, And Present

After pushing:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} verify <workflowId>
{{N8NAC_CMD}} test-plan <workflowId> --json

For webhook, chat, or form workflows, prefer the production test sequence:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} workflow activate <workflowId>
{{N8NAC_CMD}} test <workflowId> --prod

• Class A configuration gaps require user/config action, not workflow rewrites.
• Runtime-state issues such as unarmed test webhooks are not workflow-code bugs.
• Class B wiring errors are fixable in the workflow file.
• Stop after two repeated failures with the same diagnostic.

Workflow Presentation Contract

presentWorkflowResult is the standard way to show a workflow to the user. It is part of the workflow authoring loop, even though the command lives in n8n-manager.

Run it whenever one of these is true:

• you created a workflow;
• you modified and pushed a workflow;
• you ran or tested a workflow and the user needs to inspect it;
• the user asks to show, open, present, display, or give the URL/link for a workflow.

{{N8N_MANAGER_CMD}} presentWorkflowResult --workflow-id <workflowId> --workspace-root <contextRoot>

Rules:

• Do not manually construct n8n workflow URLs.
• Do not return an internal local n8n URL when a presentation URL is available.
• Use the url returned by presentWorkflowResult as the user-facing URL.
• If you do not know the workflow ID, run {{N8NAC_CMD}} list first and select the matching workflow.
• If presentWorkflowResult fails, report the backend diagnostic and then provide the best direct n8n URL only as a fallback.
• Do this before the final response when the task created, changed, pushed, ran, or explicitly asks to show a workflow.

Testability Protocol

For webhook, chat, or form workflows:

1. Push with verification when possible.
2. Run test-plan to inspect trigger type, endpoint, and suggested payload.
3. Activate the workflow.
4. Test with --prod by default.

{{N8NAC_CMD}} push <path-to-workflow.workflow.ts> --verify
{{N8NAC_CMD}} test-plan <workflowId> --json
{{N8NAC_CMD}} workflow activate <workflowId>
{{N8NAC_CMD}} test <workflowId> --prod

Use bare {{N8NAC_CMD}} test <workflowId> only when a test URL was intentionally armed in the n8n editor.

For GET/HEAD webhooks that read from $json.query, prefer:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} test <workflowId> --query '{"key":"value"}' --prod

Execution Debugging

If a webhook returns success but the workflow behavior is wrong, inspect executions instead of guessing:

{{N8NAC_CMD}} execution list --workflow-id <workflowId> --limit 5 --json
{{N8NAC_CMD}} execution get <executionId> --include-data --json

• A successful HTTP trigger only means n8n accepted the request.
• The execution can still fail later inside the workflow.
• Use execution data to identify the failing node and real payload shape.

Credential Workflow

When a workflow is blocked by missing credentials, resolve the credential gap without rewriting unrelated workflow logic.

{{N8NAC_CMD}} workflow credential-required <workflowId> --json
{{N8NAC_CMD}} credential schema <type>
{{N8NAC_CMD}} credential list --json
{{N8NAC_CMD}} credential create --type <type> --name <name> --file cred.json --json
{{N8NAC_CMD}} workflow activate <workflowId>

• workflow credential-required exits non-zero when at least one credential is missing. Treat that as a signal to act, not as a workflow-code failure.
• Use credential schema to discover required fields.
• Ask the user for secret values when needed.
• Prefer --file for credential creation. Do not pass secrets inline in shell arguments.
• Do not print API keys or credential secret values back to the user.
• If credential creation fails, read the validation message and change the payload before retrying.

Operating Loop

For most workflow tasks:

1. Resolve context with workspace status --json.
2. Read workflowDir from the backend response.
3. Inspect existing workflows with list.
4. Pull before editing an existing workflow.
5. Search examples and schemas.
6. Edit or create the .workflow.ts file.
7. Validate locally.
8. Push with --verify.
9. Test if the workflow is HTTP-triggered.
10. Inspect executions when behavior is unclear.
11. Present the final workflow link with presentWorkflowResult.

Response Discipline

• Explain concrete actions and command results, not generic capability.
• When the user asks for an URL or visual inspection of a workflow, run presentWorkflowResult instead of composing a URL manually.
• If setup is missing, use n8n-manager for instance/auth/runtime and n8nac workspace ... for context-root overrides.
• Do not ask for host/API key until existing n8n-manager instances have been inspected.
• Do not tell the user to run setup commands when you can run non-interactive commands yourself.
• Stop after two repeated failures with the same diagnostic and report the backend error clearly.