# N8n Workflow Patterns

Proven workflow architectural patterns from real n8n workflows.

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

## Install

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

## Description

Proven workflow architectural patterns from real n8n workflows. Use when building new workflows, designing workflow structure, choosing workflow patterns, planning workflow architecture, or asking about webhook processing, HTTP API integration, database operations, AI agent workflows, batch processing, or scheduled tasks. Always consult this skill when the user asks to create, build, or design an n8n workflow, automate a process, or connect services, even if they don't explicitly mention 'patterns'. Covers webhook, API, database, AI, batch processing, and scheduled automation architectures. Also use when optimizing a slow workflow or speeding up large-item-count processing (node count, batchSize, all-items vs per-item).

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

# n8n Workflow Patterns

Proven architectural patterns for building n8n workflows.

---

## The 6 Core Patterns

Based on analysis of real workflow usage:

1. **[Webhook Processing](webhook_processing.md)** (Most Common)
   - Receive HTTP requests → Process → Output
   - Pattern: Webhook → Validate → Transform → Respond/Notify

2. **[HTTP API Integration](http_api_integration.md)**
   - Fetch from REST APIs → Transform → Store/Use
   - Pattern: Trigger → HTTP Request → Transform → Action → Error Handler

3. **[Database Operations](database_operations.md)**
   - Read/Write/Sync database data
   - Pattern: Schedule → Query → Transform → Write → Verify

4. **[AI Agent Workflow](ai_agent_workflow.md)**
   - AI agents with tools and memory
   - Pattern: Trigger → AI Agent (Model + Tools + Memory) → Output

5. **[Scheduled Tasks](scheduled_tasks.md)**
   - Recurring automation workflows
   - Pattern: Schedule → Fetch → Process → Deliver → Log

6. **Batch Processing** (below)
   - Process large datasets in chunks with API rate limits
   - Pattern: Prepare → SplitInBatches → Process per batch → Accumulate → Aggregate

---

## Pattern Selection Guide

### When to use each pattern:

**Webhook Processing** - Use when:
- Receiving data from external systems
- Building integrations (Slack commands, form submissions, GitHub webhooks)
- Need instant response to events
- Example: "Receive Stripe payment webhook → Update database → Send confirmation"

**HTTP API Integration** - Use when:
- Fetching data from external APIs
- Synchronizing with third-party services
- Building data pipelines
- Example: "Fetch GitHub issues → Transform → Create Jira tickets"

**Database Operations** - Use when:
- Syncing between databases
- Running database queries on schedule
- ETL workflows
- Example: "Read Postgres records → Transform → Write to MySQL"

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