
How to add n8n-MCP to Cursor
Gives AI assistants deep knowledge of 2,000+ n8n nodes, plus optional workflow management on your own n8n instance. Paste the config into ~/.cursor/mcp.json and restart Cursor.
Last updated June 14, 2026 · 22k★ · stdio · apikey
Cursor config for n8n-MCP
npx n8n-mcp{
"mcpServers": {
"n8n-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"n8n-mcp"
],
"env": {
"MCP_MODE": "stdio",
"LOG_LEVEL": "error",
"DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT": "true",
"N8N_API_URL": "<your-n8n-instance-url>",
"N8N_API_KEY": "<your-n8n-api-key>"
}
}
}
}Setup steps
- 1Open Cursor → Settings → MCP → Add new MCP server (or edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json directly).
- 2Paste the n8n-MCP config below into the "mcpServers" object.
- 3Fill in placeholder secrets, then save.
- 4Cursor reloads MCP servers automatically — check Settings → MCP for a green status dot.
- 5Ask Cursor to use one of n8n-MCP's tools to confirm it's connected.
Before you start
- Node.js for npx (or Docker for the container image)
- Optional: a self-hosted or cloud n8n instance for the management tools
- Optional: n8n API key from Settings → API in your n8n instance
What n8n-MCP can do in Cursor
tools_documentationGet usage documentation for any n8n-MCP tool — the recommended first call
search_nodesFull-text search across 2,063 core and community nodes, optionally with real config examples
get_nodeUnified node info: properties at minimal/standard/full detail, docs mode, property search, version diffs
validate_nodeValidate a node configuration — quick required-fields check or full profile-based validation
validate_workflowValidate a complete workflow including connections, expressions, and AI Agent wiring
search_templatesSearch 2,352 workflow templates by keyword, node types, task, or metadata (complexity, audience)
get_templateFetch a template's full workflow JSON (nodes_only / structure / full modes)
n8n_create_workflowCreate a new workflow on your n8n instance (requires API key)
Security
Documentation tools run locally against a bundled database and need no credentials. With an N8N_API_KEY configured, the server can create, modify and delete workflows on your instance — the README explicitly warns never to let AI edit production workflows without copies and backups. For governance-sensitive setups, combine a read-only n8n API key with the DISABLED_TOOLS env var.
n8n-MCP + Cursor FAQ
Where is the Cursor config file?
Cursor reads MCP servers from ~/.cursor/mcp.json. Paste the n8n-MCP config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.
Is n8n-MCP safe to use with Cursor?
Documentation tools run locally against a bundled database and need no credentials. With an N8N_API_KEY configured, the server can create, modify and delete workflows on your instance — the README explicitly warns never to let AI edit production workflows without copies and backups. For governance-sensitive setups, combine a read-only n8n API key with the DISABLED_TOOLS env var.
Do I need a running n8n instance to use n8n-mcp?
No. Node search, documentation, templates and validation work standalone from a bundled database. You only need an n8n instance plus API key for the 15 management tools that create, update and execute workflows.
Is n8n-mcp free?
Yes — MIT-licensed and free to self-host via npx or Docker. The optional hosted service at dashboard.n8n-mcp.com has a free tier of 100 tool calls/day.
Is this the official n8n MCP server?
No. It's a community project by Romuald Czlonkowski, not n8n GmbH — though at 22k+ GitHub stars it's the de facto standard way to connect AI assistants to n8n. n8n itself also ships an MCP Client Tool node that can consume this server.