N8n MCP Tools Expert
davila7/claude-code-templates
Expert guide for using n8n-mcp MCP tools effectively. An agent skill from davila7/claude-code-templates.
Load when the request depends on what is already on this instance rather than on what the user just typed: a short or ambiguous opener ("fix it", "carry on", "what should I look at"), a reference to…
Install Instance Awareness
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n instance-awareness --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness .claude/skills/instance-awareness && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "instance-awareness" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness into .claude/skills/instance-awareness/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "instance-awareness", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awarenessType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n instance-awareness --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness .agents/skills/instance-awareness && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "instance-awareness" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness into .agents/skills/instance-awareness/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "instance-awareness", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n instance-awareness --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness .cursor/skills/instance-awareness && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "instance-awareness" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness into .cursor/skills/instance-awareness/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "instance-awareness", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git --path packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n instance-awareness --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness .gemini/skills/instance-awareness && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "instance-awareness" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness into .gemini/skills/instance-awareness/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "instance-awareness", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n instance-awarenessInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness .github/skills/instance-awareness && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "instance-awareness" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness into .github/skills/instance-awareness/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "instance-awareness", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n instance-awareness --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness .opencode/skills/instance-awareness && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "instance-awareness" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness into .opencode/skills/instance-awareness/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "instance-awareness", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
Facts
- Skill name
instance-awareness- GitHub stars
- 207k
- Token cost
- ~1.4k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 870 words
- Files
- 1
- Skills in repo
- 12
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- Custom licence
At a glance
Load when the request depends on what is already on this instance rather than on what the user just typed: a short or ambiguous opener ("fix it", "carry on", "what should I look at"), a reference to…
- Works in 3 steps: The block you were already given → activity(action="list") and… → One workflow, read in full
- Tasks that involve Workflow automation
- SKILL.md covers The one rule, Read in this order — cheapest…, What each surface can and… and Resolving a vague opener, plus 2 more sections
- Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md
What it does
Instance Awareness is an agent skill from n8n-io/n8n, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Load when the request depends on what is already on this instance rather than on what the user just typed: a short or ambiguous opener ("fix it", "carry on", "what should I look at"), a reference to earlier work in a new conversation, or any question about what has recently run or broken.
Its SKILL.md is about 1.4k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. It is a single SKILL.md file with no bundled scripts.
It sits in Productivity & Automation, covering Workflow automation. It works with n8n and Model Context Protocol. The repository describes itself as: Fair-code workflow automation platform with native AI capabilities. Combine visual building with custom code, self-host or cloud, 400+ integrations.
When your agent uses it
- Tasks that involve Workflow automation
Example prompts
- “fix it”
- “carry on”
- “what should I look at”
- “/instance-awareness”
Workflow steps
3 steps, taken from the step headings in SKILL.md.
- The block you were already given
- activity(action="list") and activity(action="expand", id=N)
- One workflow, read in full
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 60ad29f. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md.
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
No URLs in SKILL.md.
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
Instance Awareness loads about 1.4k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 77 tokens; SKILL.md has 870 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
Safety
Auto-check passed
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.
SKILL.md
Its licence (Custom licence) doesn't allow us to republish the file, so here is its outline and opening line. It has 870 words (~1,383 tokens).
“The conversation is not the only context you have. This instance carries a record of what has been built, changed, run and broken. Most of it is cheap to read, and reading it is usually better than asking.”
- name
- instance-awareness
- recommended_tools
- activity, workflows, executions, credentials
Files
Just SKILL.md in packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness of n8n-io/n8n.
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 60ad29f
Compare with similar skills
Instance Awareness next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instance Awareness this skilln8n-io/n8n | 207k | — | ~1.4k | Automated safety check: Pass | Custom licence | |
| N8n MCP Tools Expertdavila7/claude-code-templates | 32k | 8 repos | ~3.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| N8n Workflowsvibeeval/vibecosystem | 531 | — | ~3.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Using N8n MCP Skillsczlonkowski/n8n-skills | 6.4k | — | ~4.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| N8n Multi Instancesickn33/agentic-awesome-skills | 47k | 1 repos | ~3.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Using N8n MCP Skillssickn33/agentic-awesome-skills | 47k | 1 repos | ~3.4k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT |
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Related
Works with
Categories
Questions about Instance Awareness
What does Instance Awareness do?
Load when the request depends on what is already on this instance rather than on what the user just typed: a short or ambiguous opener ("fix it", "carry on", "what should I look at"), a reference to…. Instance Awareness is an agent skill from n8n-io/n8n, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Load when the request depends on what is already on this instance rather than on what the user just typed: a short or ambiguous opener ("fix it", "carry on", "what should I look at"), a reference to earlier work in a new conversation, or any question about what has recently run or broken.
When should I use Instance Awareness?
Instance Awareness fits situations like: tasks that involve Workflow automation.
How do I install Instance Awareness in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness in n8n-io/n8n) into .claude/skills/instance-awareness in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install Instance Awareness in Codex?
Run `npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/instance-awareness in n8n-io/n8n) into .agents/skills/instance-awareness in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use Instance Awareness in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill instance-awareness -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/instance-awareness, .gemini/skills/instance-awareness, .github/skills/instance-awareness and .opencode/skills/instance-awareness in your project.
What does Instance Awareness need to run?
SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Instance Awareness is instructions for the agent only.
Does Instance Awareness access the network?
SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Is Instance Awareness safe to install?
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.
What licence does Instance Awareness use?
Instance Awareness has a licence file (the repository's licence) that doesn't match a standard licence. Read it on GitHub before reusing the skill.
How many tokens does Instance Awareness use?
About 1.4k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 5.5k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.
What are the alternatives to Instance Awareness?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Instance Awareness: N8n MCP Tools Expert (davila7/claude-code-templates, 32k stars), N8n Workflows (vibeeval/vibecosystem, 531 stars), Using N8n MCP Skills (czlonkowski/n8n-skills, 6.4k stars) and N8n Multi Instance (sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills, 47k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains Instance Awareness?
n8n-io (a GitHub organization, an official publisher) maintains it in n8n-io/n8n, which has 206,847 GitHub stars. The repository holds 12 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 8, 2026.
Source: n8n-io/n8n on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.