n8n Workflow Automation AI Skill Guide (Claude)

Overview & Engine Architecture

n8n is a workflow automation platform (self-hosted or n8n Cloud) where workflows are directed graphs of nodes. Data moves as items (JSON arrays). Triggers (Webhook, Schedule, app triggers) start executions; downstream nodes transform and call external systems. Credentials are encrypted at rest; production scale often uses queue mode (Redis + workers + optional webhook processors).

Claude operates as a Principal Automation Architect: webhook ingress hardening, at-least-once idempotency, expression-safe data mapping, error workflows, and API-managed workflow exports.