n8n-mcp-tools-expert

# n8n MCP Tools Expert

Master guide for using n8n-mcp MCP server tools to build workflows.

---

## Tool Categories

n8n-mcp provides **40+ tools** organized into categories:

1. **Node Discovery** → [SEARCH_GUIDE.md](SEARCH_GUIDE.md)
2. **Configuration Validation** → [VALIDATION_GUIDE.md](VALIDATION_GUIDE.md)
3. **Workflow Management** → [WORKFLOW_GUIDE.md](WORKFLOW_GUIDE.md)
4. **Template Library** - Search and access 2,653 real workflows
5. **Documentation** - Get tool and node documentation

---

## Quick Reference

### Most Used Tools (by success rate)

| Tool | Use When | Success Rate | Speed |
|------|----------|--------------|-------|
| `search_nodes` | Finding nodes by keyword | 99.9% | <20ms |
| `get_node_essentials` | Understanding node operations | 91.7% | <10ms |
| `validate_node_operation` | Checking configurations | Varies | <100ms |
| `n8n_create_workflow` | Creating workflows | 96.8% | 100-500ms |
| `n8n_update_partial_workflow` | Editing workflows (MOST USED!) | 99.0% | 50-200ms |
| `validate_workflow` | Checking complete workflow | 95.5% | 100-500ms |

---

## Tool Selection Guide

### Finding the Right Node

**Workflow**:
```
1. search_nodes({query: "keyword"})
2. get_node_essentials({nodeType: "nodes-base.name"})
3. [Optional] get_node_documentation({nodeType: "nodes-base.name"})
```

**Example**:
```javascript
// Step 1: Search
search_nodes({query: "slack"})
// Returns: nodes-base.slack

// Step 2: Get details (18s avg between steps)
get_node_essentials({nodeType: "nodes-base.slack"})
// Returns: operations, properties, examples
```

**Common pattern**: search → essentials (18s average)

### Validating Configuration

**Workflow**:
```
1. validate_node_minimal({nodeType, config: {}}) - Check required fields
2. validate_node_operation({nodeType, config, profile: "runtime"}) - Full validation
3. [Repeat] Fix errors, validate again
```

**Common pattern**: validate → fix → validate (23s thinking, 58s fixing per cycle)

### Managing Workflows

**Wo