n8n Manager MCP Server

🇩🇪 Deutsche Version

Part of the ellmos-ai family.

MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for managing n8n workflows via AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf.

Directory Status

• npm package: published as n8n-manager-mcp
• Glama listing: public directory page for the ellmos-ai repo
• Enterprise DNA directory: additional public directory entry for ellmos-ai/n8n-manager-mcp
• PulseMCP listing: indexed as ellmos-ai-n8n-manager
• MCP namespace status: this repo contains server.json and mcpName metadata for io.github.ellmos-ai/n8n-manager-mcp; some ecosystem directories still expose the legacy io.github.lukisch/n8n-manager-mcp name until their indexes refresh.
• Search context: best matched by n8n MCP server, n8n workflow management MCP, AI assistant n8n workflows, and ellmos-ai n8n-manager-mcp.

Features

• 18 Tools for complete n8n workflow management
• List, create, update, delete, and activate/deactivate workflows
• Safety controls: read-only mode, backup-before-delete/update, local restore, and audit log
• Multi-server support (connect to multiple n8n instances)
• Export/Import workflows between servers
• View execution history and status
• Built-in node catalog with descriptions
• Zero dependencies on Python -- connects directly to n8n REST API

Installation

Claude Desktop

Add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-manager": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "n8n-manager-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add --scope user n8n-manager npx -y n8n-manager-mcp

Manual

npm install -g n8n-manager-mcp

Quick Start

After installation, use these commands in your AI assistant:

1. Add your n8n server:

   "Add my n8n server at http://localhost:5678 with API key abc123"

2. List workflows:

   "Show me all workflows on my n8n server"

3. Create a workflow:

   "Create an n8n workflow that triggers on a webhook, fetches data from an API, and sends a Slack message"

4. Check executions:

   "Show me the last 10 workflow executions"

Available Tools

Tool	Description
n8n_list_workflows	List all workflows on a server
n8n_get_workflow	Get workflow details (nodes, connections)
n8n_create_workflow	Create a new workflow from nodes + connections
n8n_update_workflow	Update an existing workflow
n8n_delete_workflow	Delete a workflow
n8n_activate_workflow	Activate or deactivate a workflow
n8n_list_executions	List recent executions with status
n8n_export_workflow	Export workflow as importable JSON
n8n_import_workflow	Import workflow JSON onto a server
n8n_safety_status	Show local safety settings, backup directory, and audit log path
n8n_set_safety_mode	Toggle read-only mode, backup-before-mutation, and audit logging
n8n_list_backups	List local workflow backups created before mutations
n8n_restore_workflow	Restore a workflow from a local backup
n8n_add_server	Add/update n8n server connection
n8n_list_servers	List configured servers
n8n_ping_server	Test server connection
n8n_remove_server	Remove a server
n8n_describe_nodes	Browse available n8n node types

Configuration

Server connections and safety settings are stored in ~/.n8n-manager-mcp/servers.json.

Safety defaults:

• backup_before_mutations: true saves workflow JSON before update, delete, activate/deactivate, and overwrite-restore operations.
• audit_log: true appends mutation outcomes to ~/.n8n-manager-mcp/audit.log.
• read_only: false can be enabled with n8n_set_safety_mode or N8N_MANAGER_READ_ONLY=1.
• Backups are stored under ~/.n8n-manager-mcp/backups/ and can be listed/restored with the backup tools.

Development

npm install
npm run build    # One-time build
npm run dev      # Watch mode
npm start        # Start server
npm test         # Run test suite (vitest)
npm run smoke    # Start the built MCP server and verify tool discovery

Testing

The project includes 89 tests covering URL building, server management, safety settings, backup path handling, workflow JSON construction, export/import validation, i18n language packs, and error handling.

npm test              # Run all tests
npx vitest run        # Same as above
npx vitest --watch    # Watch mode
npm run smoke         # Manual stdio MCP smoke test (requires npm run build first)

Tests are verified on Windows, macOS, and Linux. GitHub Actions additionally runs build, test, and npm package checks on Node.js 20, 22, and 24. The smoke runner starts dist/index.js through the MCP SDK client, verifies all 18 tool registrations, and calls the safe n8n_describe_nodes catalog tool without requiring n8n credentials.

Related

• n8n-workflow-manager -- Full web UI + REST API for n8n workflow management (Python)
• n8n -- The workflow automation platform

License

MIT

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ellmos-ai Ecosystem

This MCP server is part of the ellmos-ai ecosystem — AI infrastructure, MCP servers, and intelligent tools.

MCP Server Family

Server	Tools	Focus	npm
FileCommander	44	Filesystem, process management, interactive sessions	ellmos-filecommander-mcp
CodeCommander	17	Code analysis, AST parsing, import management	ellmos-codecommander-mcp
Clatcher	12	File repair, format conversion, batch operations	ellmos-clatcher-mcp
n8n Manager	18	n8n workflow management via AI assistants	n8n-manager-mcp
ControlCenter	10	MCP stack discovery, profile management, control plane	ellmos-controlcenter-mcp
Homebase	44	Persistent memory, knowledge garden, routing, swarm coordination	ellmos-homebase-mcp
ServerCommander	8	Remote server operations and SSH-safe deployment helpers	ellmos-servercommander-mcp

AI Infrastructure

Project	Description
BACH	Text-based OS for LLM agents with SQLite memory, 113+ handlers, 550+ tools, MCP servers, scheduler, and multi-agent orchestration
clutch	Provider-neutral LLM orchestration with auto-routing and budget tracking
rinnsal	Lightweight agent memory, connectors, and automation infrastructure
ellmos-stack	Self-hosted AI research stack (Ollama + n8n + Rinnsal + KnowledgeDigest)
MarbleRun	Autonomous agent chain framework for Claude Code
gardener	Minimalist database-driven LLM OS prototype (4 functions, 1 table)
ellmos-tests	Testing framework for LLM operating systems (7 dimensions)

Desktop Software

Our partner organization open-bricks bundles AI-native desktop applications — a modern, open-source software suite built for the age of AI. Categories include file management, document tools, developer utilities, and more.

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Haftung / Liability

Dieses Projekt ist eine unentgeltliche Open-Source-Schenkung im Sinne der §§ 516 ff. BGB. Die Haftung des Urhebers ist gemäß § 521 BGB auf Vorsatz und grobe Fahrlässigkeit beschränkt. Ergänzend gilt der Haftungsausschluss der MIT-Lizenz.

Nutzung auf eigenes Risiko. Keine Wartungszusage, keine Verfügbarkeitsgarantie, keine Gewähr für Fehlerfreiheit oder Eignung für einen bestimmten Zweck.

This project is an unpaid open-source donation under the MIT License. Liability is limited to intent and gross negligence (§ 521 German Civil Code). Use at your own risk. No warranty, no maintenance guarantee, no fitness-for-purpose assumed.