Construct n8n workflows straight from Claude

Using Claude Sonnet 4.5 via MCP to create workflows without manually connecting nodes, this tutorial will teach you how to create full n8n workflow automations by explaining what you need in plain English. Step-by-step: After installing Claude Desktop and Node.js, launch the MCP server by running npx n8n-mcp in your terminal. Paste the configuration code into Claude Desktop by selecting Settings > Developer > Edit Config and entering your API key (Settings > n8n API > Create API Key) and n8n URL (from your workflow dashboard). Click "Enable all tools" after restarting Claude Desktop and selecting the n8n MCP icon in the lower right corner. Just tell Claude about your automation (e.g., "Build a n8n workflow that monitors my Gmail for emails with 'invoice' in the subject, extracts the invoice amount using AI, and logs it to a Google Sheet"). Claude is most effective when given explicit instructions. Try "when I get a Slack message with 'urgent,' create a task in Notion" in place of "automate my emails,"