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 before build-workflow and before scoping or planning new workflows and feature additions, including requests spanning multiple workflows.
Install Progressive Building
$ npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill progressive-building -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n progressive-building --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/progressive-building .claude/skills/progressive-building && 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 "progressive-building" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building into .claude/skills/progressive-building/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "progressive-building", 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/progressive-buildingType 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 progressive-building -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n progressive-building --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/progressive-building .agents/skills/progressive-building && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "progressive-building" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building into .agents/skills/progressive-building/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "progressive-building", 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 progressive-building -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n progressive-building --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/progressive-building .cursor/skills/progressive-building && 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 "progressive-building" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building into .cursor/skills/progressive-building/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "progressive-building", 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/progressive-building--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 progressive-building -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install n8n-io/n8n progressive-building --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/progressive-building .gemini/skills/progressive-building && 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 "progressive-building" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building into .gemini/skills/progressive-building/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "progressive-building", 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 progressive-buildingInstalls 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 progressive-building -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/progressive-building .github/skills/progressive-building && 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 "progressive-building" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building into .github/skills/progressive-building/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "progressive-building", 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 progressive-building -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 progressive-building --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/progressive-building .opencode/skills/progressive-building && 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 "progressive-building" agent skill from https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/tree/master/packages/%40n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building into .opencode/skills/progressive-building/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "progressive-building", 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
progressive-building- GitHub stars
- 207k
- Token cost
- ~1.6k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 846 words
- Files
- 1
- Skills in repo
- 12
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- Custom licence
At a glance
Load before build-workflow and before scoping or planning new workflows and feature additions, including requests spanning multiple workflows.
- Works in 6 steps: Build the selected version. Use the… → Before its setup card, explain the full… → Create missing prerequisites, such as… → …
- Tasks that involve Workflow automation
- SKILL.md covers Choose the first version, Build, set up, and run and Finish without staging when…
- Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md
What it does
Progressive Building is an agent skill from n8n-io/n8n, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Load before build-workflow and before scoping or planning new workflows and feature additions, including requests spanning multiple workflows. Implement one increment per user message. Finish setup and inspect a successful real execution before offering another increment. Then wait for the next user reply. Partial setup is incomplete. A first setup or test refusal pauses building. Follow the skill's full-build exceptions. Also supports workflow edits and repairs. For workflows that create or write Data Tables…
Its SKILL.md is about 1.6k 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
- “/progressive-building”
Workflow steps
6 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.
- Build the selected version. Use the existing verification and setup flow.
- Before its setup card, explain the full goal, what this version does, and
- Create missing prerequisites, such as sheet tabs or headers, through the
- After setup, offer only a live run for manual or schedule triggers. The execution
- Extend only after a successful, non-simulated execution of the current
- After one increment's verification and setup, end the turn. Choose the next
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 7424f0c. 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
Progressive Building loads about 1.6k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 166 tokens; SKILL.md has 846 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 846 words (~1,591 tokens).
“Apply this policy when creating or extending workflows and repairing those builds. It overrides conflicting scoping and setup narration in the building and post-build guidance above. Keep their validation, approval, credential, publish, and cleanup rules. Write to the user in…”
- name
- progressive-building
- dependencies.tools
- build-workflow, verify-built-workflow, workflows, executions
Files
Just SKILL.md in packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building of n8n-io/n8n.
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 7424f0c
Compare with similar skills
Progressive Building 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Building this skilln8n-io/n8n | 207k | — | ~1.6k | Automated safety check: Pass | Custom licence | |
| N8n MCP Tools Expertdavila7/claude-code-templates | 33k | 8 repos | ~3.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| N8n Workflowsvibeeval/vibecosystem | 532 | — | ~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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All 12 skills in this repo- Official
Debugging Executions
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Debug failed or wrong-output workflow executions using executions tools.
- Official
N8n CLI
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Use the n8n CLI to manage workflows, credentials, executions, and more on an n8n instance.
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Answers n8n product, setup, credential, node, hosting, API, and usage questions from current n8n docs.
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Workflow Builder
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Load before calling build-workflow. An agent skill from n8n-io/n8n.
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Planning
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Related
Works with
Categories
Questions about Progressive Building
What does Progressive Building do?
Load before build-workflow and before scoping or planning new workflows and feature additions, including requests spanning multiple workflows. Progressive Building is an agent skill from n8n-io/n8n, published by the product's own GitHub organization. Load before build-workflow and before scoping or planning new workflows and feature additions, including requests spanning multiple workflows.
When should I use Progressive Building?
Progressive Building fits situations like: tasks that involve Workflow automation.
How do I install Progressive Building in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill progressive-building -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building in n8n-io/n8n) into .claude/skills/progressive-building in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install Progressive Building in Codex?
Run `npx skills add n8n-io/n8n --skill progressive-building -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (packages/@n8n/instance-ai/skills/progressive-building in n8n-io/n8n) into .agents/skills/progressive-building in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use Progressive Building 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 progressive-building -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/progressive-building, .gemini/skills/progressive-building, .github/skills/progressive-building and .opencode/skills/progressive-building in your project.
What does Progressive Building need to run?
SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Progressive Building is instructions for the agent only.
Does Progressive Building 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 Progressive Building 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 Progressive Building use?
Progressive Building 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 Progressive Building use?
About 1.6k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 6.4k 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 Progressive Building?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Progressive Building: N8n MCP Tools Expert (davila7/claude-code-templates, 33k stars), N8n Workflows (vibeeval/vibecosystem, 532 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 Progressive Building?
n8n-io (a GitHub organization, an official publisher) maintains it in n8n-io/n8n, which has 206,859 GitHub stars. The repository holds 12 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 10, 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.