n8n Multi-Instance Targeting
czlonkowski/n8n-skills
Keeps an n8n MCP session pointed at the right n8n instance, with rules for discovering, switching and verifying the target before credential writes and for recovering from misroutes.
Use the n8n CLI to manage workflows, credentials, executions, and more on an n8n instance.
Install N8n CLI
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill n8n-cli -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n n8n-cli --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/cli/skills/n8n-cli .claude/skills/n8n-cli && 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 "n8n-cli" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli into .claude/skills/n8n-cli/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "n8n-cli", 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/cli/skills/n8n-cliType 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 n8n-cli -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n n8n-cli --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/cli/skills/n8n-cli .agents/skills/n8n-cli && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "n8n-cli" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli into .agents/skills/n8n-cli/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "n8n-cli", 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 n8n-cli -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n n8n-cli --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/cli/skills/n8n-cli .cursor/skills/n8n-cli && 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 "n8n-cli" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli into .cursor/skills/n8n-cli/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "n8n-cli", 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/cli/skills/n8n-cli--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 n8n-cli -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n n8n-cli --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/cli/skills/n8n-cli .gemini/skills/n8n-cli && 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 "n8n-cli" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli into .gemini/skills/n8n-cli/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "n8n-cli", 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 n8n-cliInstalls 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 n8n-cli -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/cli/skills/n8n-cli .github/skills/n8n-cli && 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 "n8n-cli" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli into .github/skills/n8n-cli/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "n8n-cli", 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 n8n-cli -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 n8n-cli --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/cli/skills/n8n-cli .opencode/skills/n8n-cli && 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 "n8n-cli" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli into .opencode/skills/n8n-cli/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "n8n-cli", 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
n8n-cli- GitHub stars
- 207k
- Token cost
- ~3k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 388 words
- Files
- 1
- Skills in repo
- 12
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- Custom licence
At a glance
Use the n8n CLI to manage workflows, credentials, executions, and more on an n8n instance.
- The user asks to interact with n8n
- SKILL.md covers Setup, Global Flags, Workflows and Executions, plus 10 more sections
- Calls jq; needs N8N_API_KEY
- Automate workflows
What it does
N8n CLI is an agent skill from n8n-io/n8n, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Use the n8n CLI to manage workflows, credentials, executions, and more on an n8n instance. Use when the user asks to interact with n8n, automate workflows, manage credentials, or operate their instance from the command line.
Its SKILL.md is about 3k 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, Model Context Protocol and Git. 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
- The user asks to interact with n8n
- Automate workflows
- Manage credentials
- Operate their instance from the command line
Example prompts
- “/n8n-cli”
Requirements
- A credential in N8N_API_KEY
- Pre-approved tools (allowed-tools): Bash(n8n-cli:*), Bash(echo:*), Bash(cat:*), Read, Write
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 these tools, so the agent can use them without asking each time:
Bash(n8n-cli:*)Bash(echo:*)Bash(cat:*)ReadWrite
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
Shell commands in SKILL.md call:
jq
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 these keys or tokens, usually read from environment variables:
N8N_API_KEY
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
N8n CLI loads about 3k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 58 tokens; SKILL.md has 388 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 388 words (~3,009 tokens).
“The n8n-cli command-line tool manages an n8n instance via its REST API. It auto-detects piped output and switches to JSON, making it composable for scripts and LLM tool use.”
- name
- n8n-cli
- allowed-tools
- Bash(n8n-cli:*), Bash(echo:*), Bash(cat:*), Read, Write
Files
Just SKILL.md in packages/@n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli of n8n-io/n8n.
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 60ad29f
Compare with similar skills
N8n CLI 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N8n CLI this skilln8n-io/n8n | 207k | — | ~3k | Automated safety check: Pass | Custom licence | |
| n8n Multi-Instance Targetingczlonkowski/n8n-skills | 6.4k | — | ~3.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Agents Onboardingfazer-ai/agents | 118 | — | ~4.4k | Automated safety check: Pass | Apache-2.0 | |
| N8n MCP Tools Expertdavila7/claude-code-templates | 32k | 8 repos | ~3.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| n8n MCP Tools Expertczlonkowski/n8n-skills | 6.4k | — | ~7.6k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| N8n Workflowsvibeeval/vibecosystem | 531 | — | ~3.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT |
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Related
Works with
Categories
Questions about N8n CLI
What does N8n CLI do?
Use the n8n CLI to manage workflows, credentials, executions, and more on an n8n instance. N8n CLI is an agent skill from n8n-io/n8n, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Use the n8n CLI to manage workflows, credentials, executions, and more on an n8n instance.
When should I use N8n CLI?
N8n CLI fits situations like: the user asks to interact with n8n; automate workflows; manage credentials; operate their instance from the command line.
How do I install N8n CLI in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill n8n-cli -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (packages/@n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli in n8n-io/n8n) into .claude/skills/n8n-cli in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install N8n CLI in Codex?
Run `npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill n8n-cli -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (packages/@n8n/cli/skills/n8n-cli in n8n-io/n8n) into .agents/skills/n8n-cli in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use N8n CLI 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 n8n-cli -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/n8n-cli, .gemini/skills/n8n-cli, .github/skills/n8n-cli and .opencode/skills/n8n-cli in your project.
What does N8n CLI need to run?
Going by SKILL.md and its folder, N8n CLI needs the command-line tools its instructions call (jq) and credentials named N8N_API_KEY. Our summary lists: A credential in N8N_API_KEY. Its frontmatter pre-approves these tools: Bash(n8n-cli:*), Bash(echo:*), Bash(cat:*), Read, Write.
Does N8n CLI 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 N8n CLI 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 N8n CLI use?
N8n CLI 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 N8n CLI use?
About 3k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 12k 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 N8n CLI?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with N8n CLI: n8n Multi-Instance Targeting (czlonkowski/n8n-skills, 6.4k stars), Agents Onboarding (fazer-ai/agents, 118 stars), N8n MCP Tools Expert (davila7/claude-code-templates, 32k stars) and n8n MCP Tools Expert (czlonkowski/n8n-skills, 6.4k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains N8n CLI?
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.