# N8n Code Python

Write Python code in n8n Code nodes.

- Repository: https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp (23187 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-27
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add czlonkowski/n8n-mcp --skill n8n-code-python -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add czlonkowski/n8n-mcp --skill n8n-code-python -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add czlonkowski/n8n-mcp --skill n8n-code-python -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add czlonkowski/n8n-mcp --skill n8n-code-python -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Write Python code in n8n Code nodes. Use when writing Python in n8n, using _input/_json/_node syntax, working with standard library, or need to understand Python limitations in n8n Code nodes. Use this skill when the user specifically requests Python for an n8n Code node. Note, JavaScript is recommended for 95% of use cases, only use Python when the user explicitly prefers it or the task requires Python-specific standard library capabilities (regex, hashlib, statistics). EXCEPTION, for Python in the AI-agent-callable Custom Code Tool (@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolCode), use the n8n-code-tool skill instead (input is _query, return must be a string).

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Python Code Node (Beta)

Expert guidance for writing Python code in n8n Code nodes.

---

## ⚠️ Important: JavaScript First

**Recommendation**: Use **JavaScript for 95% of use cases**. Only use Python when:
- You need specific Python standard library functions
- You're significantly more comfortable with Python syntax
- You're doing data transformations better suited to Python

**Why JavaScript is preferred:**
- Full n8n helper functions (`this.helpers.httpRequest`, etc.)
- Luxon DateTime library for advanced date/time operations
- No external library limitations
- Better n8n documentation and community support

---

## Quick Start

```python
# Basic template for Python Code nodes
items = _input.all()

# Process data
processed = []
for item in items:
    processed.append({
        "json": {
            **item["json"],
            "processed": True,
            "timestamp": datetime.now().isoformat()
        }
    })

return processed
```

### Essential Rules

1. **Consider JavaScript first** - Use Python only when necessary
2. **Access data**: `_input.all()`, `_input.first()`, or `_input.item`
3. **CRITICAL**: Must return `[{"json": {...}}]` format
4. **CRITICAL**: Webhook data is under `_json["body"]` (not `_json` directly)
5. **CRITICAL LIMITATION**: **No external libraries** (no requests, pandas, numpy)
6. **Standard library only**: json, datetime, re, base64, hashlib, urllib.parse, math, random, statistics

---

## Mode Selection Guide

Same as JavaScript - choose based on your use case:

### Run Once for All Items (Recommended - Default)

**Use this mode for:** 95% of use cases

- **How it works**: Code executes **once** regardless of input count
- **Data access**: `_input.all()` or `_items` array (Native mode)
- **Best for**: Aggregation, filtering, batch processing, transformations
- **Performance**: Faster for multiple items (single execution)

The rest: https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-mcp/blob/HEAD/data/skills/n8n-code-python/SKILL.md