Create a workflow

Create a workflow

Creates an n8n workflow from its nodes and connections and returns the new workflow with its ID.

The API and n8n-cli workflow create --stdin take workflow JSON. The MCP tool takes TypeScript or JavaScript written with the n8n Workflow SDK, validated first with validate_workflow; it assigns available credentials to nodes and makes the workflow available to MCP. A workflow runs in production only once it is published (publish_workflow on the MCP server).

Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

{ "mcpServers": { "n8n": { "url": "https://{your-n8n-domain}/mcp-server/http" } } }

Call the MCP tool create_workflow_from_code.

Server URL: https://{your-n8n-domain}/mcp-server/http

CLI (official)

Install the command, then confirm it runs.

npm install -g @n8n/cli
n8n-cli --version

Run n8n-cli workflow create.

Set $N8N_API_KEY in your environment first.

API (official)

• Base URL: https://{your-domain}/api/v1
• Endpoint: POST /workflows
• Auth: send the header X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY
• Docs: https://docs.n8n.io/connect/n8n-api

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

Rules

• Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
• Never print API keys.