Generating N8n Workflows

n8n Workflow Generator

Generates clean, minimal n8n workflow JSON files based on user requirements.

When to use this skill

• User wants to create an n8n workflow
• User provides a prompt describing automation needs
• User needs a downloadable .json file for n8n import
• User mentions specific integrations (Slack, Email, HTTP, etc.)

Workflow

• Parse user prompt for workflow requirements
• Identify trigger type and action nodes needed
• Generate minimal workflow JSON (no extra nodes)
• Validate JSON structure against n8n schema
• Provide download-ready .json file

Instructions

Step 1: Parse User Prompt

Extract from the user's description:

• Trigger: What starts the workflow? (webhook, schedule, manual, trigger-node)
• Actions: What should happen? (send email, HTTP request, database operation)
• Integrations: Which services? (Slack, Gmail, PostgreSQL, etc.)
• Data flow: How does data move between nodes?

Step 2: Node Selection Rules

CRITICAL: Generate ONLY necessary nodes. No extras.

Forbidden extras:

• No debug nodes
• No unnecessary Set nodes
• No extra HTTP requests
• No duplicate triggers
• No unused credentials placeholders

Step 3: Generate Workflow JSON

Required structure:

{
  "name": "Workflow Name",
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "uuid",
      "name": "Trigger",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
      "position": [250, 300],
      "parameters": {}
    },
    {
      "id": "uuid",
      "name": "Action",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.slack",
      "position": [450, 300],
      "parameters": {}
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Trigger": {
      "main": [[{"node": "Action", "type": "main", "index": 0}]]
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Position Guidelines

• Start trigger at [250, 300]
• Each subsequent node: +200 on X axis
• Keep Y at 300 for simple flows
• Use [250, 200] and [250, 400] for branches

Step 5: Common Node Templates

Webhook Trigger:

{
  "id": "{{uuid}}",
  "name": "Webhook",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
  "typeVersion": 1,
  "position": [250, 300],
  "webhookId": "{{random-id}}",
  "parameters": {
    "httpMethod": "POST",
    "path": "{{unique-path}}",
    "responseMode": "responseNode"
  }
}

HTTP Request:

{
  "id": "{{uuid}}",
  "name": "HTTP Request",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
  "typeVersion": 4.1,
  "position": [450, 300],
  "parameters": {
    "method": "GET",
    "url": "",
    "sendBody": false
  }
}

Slack:

{
  "id": "{{uuid}}",
  "name": "Slack",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.slack",
  "typeVersion": 2,
  "position": [450, 300],
  "parameters": {
    "operation": "post",
    "channel": "",
    "text": ""
  }
}

Send Email:

{
  "id": "{{uuid}}",
  "name": "Send Email",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.emailSend",
  "typeVersion": 2,
  "position": [450, 300],
  "parameters": {
    "toEmail": "",
    "subject": "",
    "text": ""
  }
}

Schedule Trigger:

{
  "id": "{{uuid}}",
  "name": "Schedule Trigger",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
  "typeVersion": 1.1,
  "position": [250, 300],
  "parameters": {
    "rule": {
      "interval": [
        {
          "field": "hours",
          "hoursInterval": 1
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Code Node:

{
  "id": "{{uuid}}",
  "name": "Code",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
  "typeVersion": 2,
  "position": [450, 300],
  "parameters": {
    "jsCode": "// Add your code here\nreturn items;"
  }
}

Step 6: Connection Rules

Format connections array:

{
  "connections": {
    "SourceNodeName": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "TargetNodeName",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    }
  }
}

For multiple outputs, increment the inner array index.

Scripts

Generate workflow using the helper:

python .agent/skills/generating-n8n-workflows/scripts/n8n_generator.py \
  --prompt "Send Slack message when webhook received" \
  --output workflow.json

Examples

Example 1: Simple Webhook to Slack

User Prompt: "When I send a webhook, post to Slack"

Generated Nodes: 2 (Webhook → Slack)

See: examples/webhook-slack-example.json

Example 2: Daily Email Report

User Prompt: "Send daily email at 9 AM"

Generated Nodes: 2 (Schedule → Email)

See: examples/schedule-email-example.json

Example 3: HTTP API Call

User Prompt: "Call an API every hour and save response"

Generated Nodes: 2 (Schedule → HTTP Request)

See: examples/schedule-http-example.json

Validation Checklist

Before returning JSON:

• Only necessary nodes included
• All nodes have unique UUIDs
• All nodes have unique names
• Connections reference existing node names
• Positions are reasonable (no overlaps)
• JSON is valid (no trailing commas)
• No credential values hardcoded
• Workflow name is descriptive

Resources

• scripts/n8n_generator.py - Workflow generator script
• examples/ - Sample workflow JSON files
• Node Type Reference