Does n8n integrate with Claude?
Yes — both directions (MCP + native node)
Yes, in both directions. You can let Claude build and operate n8n workflows by connecting an MCP server (the official n8n MCP endpoint, or the open-source n8n-mcp), and you can call Claude from inside an n8n workflow using n8n's native Anthropic Chat Model node. The MCP write path needs an n8n API key; the in-workflow node needs an Anthropic API key.
| Integration method | Native via MCP and native Anthropic node — Two distinct directions both work. (1) Claude operating n8n: connect an MCP server so Claude can search nodes, validate, and build/deploy n8n workflows — either the official n8n MCP Server endpoint, or the popular open-source n8n-mcp (MIT, ~21.7k stars). (2) Claude inside n8n: n8n's native Anthropic Chat Model and Anthropic app nodes call Claude (Opus/Sonnet/Haiku) from inside a workflow using an Anthropic API key. |
|---|---|
| Sync direction | Two-way / bidirectional control. Direction 1: Claude reads n8n node docs and writes/deploys workflows via MCP (the write path requires an n8n instance API URL + API key). Direction 2: n8n sends prompts to Claude and receives completions inside an AI Agent or Chain. |
| Plan required | Claude side: MCP connectors are usable on Claude's paid plans (Pro, Team, Max) and in Claude Code; the free open-source n8n-mcp also offers a free managed tier (100 tool calls/day). The native Anthropic node inside n8n needs a separate pay-as-you-go Anthropic API account (key starts with sk-ant-) — that is NOT the same as a Claude Pro/Max subscription. n8n itself works self-hosted (free) or on n8n Cloud. |
| Setup time | ~20 minutes unverified estimate |
How to connect n8n to Claude
- To let Claude operate n8n: install an MCP server — either configure the official n8n MCP Server endpoint, or run the open-source n8n-mcp (npx/Docker, or its free managed dashboard).
- For the write/deploy path, give the MCP server your n8n instance details via N8N_API_URL and N8N_API_KEY so Claude can create and update workflows (omit these for read-only node search and validation).
- Add the MCP server to Claude (Claude Code or a Claude.ai/Desktop connector) and confirm the n8n tools appear.
- To use Claude inside n8n: in n8n go to Settings → Credentials → Add Credential, pick "Anthropic API", and paste an API key (starts with sk-ant-) from console.anthropic.com.
- Add an AI Agent or Basic LLM Chain node, attach the Anthropic Chat Model sub-node, pick a Claude model, and run the workflow.
Known friction points
- The native Anthropic Chat Model node has had version-specific bugs where the credential works via a raw HTTP Request node but the native node fails (e.g. a missing x-api-key header / n8n Cloud version regressions). If the native node errors, verify the n8n version or fall back to an HTTP Request node. [source]
- The n8n-mcp server only performs write operations (create/update/deploy workflows) when configured with a reachable n8n instance API URL and API key; without them it is limited to node documentation search, validation, and templates. [source]
FAQ
- Does n8n integrate with Claude?
- Yes, in two ways. You can connect an MCP server (the official n8n MCP endpoint or the open-source n8n-mcp) so Claude can search nodes and build/deploy n8n workflows, and you can call Claude from inside an n8n workflow using n8n's native Anthropic Chat Model node.
- Can Claude actually build and run my n8n workflows, or just read them?
- Both, but the write path needs setup. Read operations (node docs search, workflow validation, templates) work standalone. To have Claude create, update and deploy workflows, the MCP server must be configured with your n8n instance API URL and an n8n API key.
- Does using Claude inside n8n require a Claude Pro subscription?
- No. The native Anthropic node in n8n uses a pay-as-you-go Anthropic API key (starting with sk-ant-) from the Anthropic Console — billed separately from a Claude Pro/Max chat subscription. MCP connectors, by contrast, are available on Claude's paid plans and in Claude Code.
✓ Last verified: 2026-06-10 · Every claim on this page links to a primary source. If the integration changed, the page is out of date — check the sources below.
Sources
- n8n docs — Accessing the n8n MCP server (accessed 2026-06-10)
- n8n-mcp (open-source, MIT) on GitHub (accessed 2026-06-10)
- n8n docs — Anthropic credentials (accessed 2026-06-10)
- n8n GitHub issue — Anthropic native node x-api-key (accessed 2026-06-10)