Workflow Architect for n8n: Plan, Build & Validate Workflow JSON

An agent skill for building n8n workflows as importable JSON: plan first, build with real node types, then check the result before you import it.

WHAT YOUR AGENT GETS

• A planning procedure and fill-in plan: trigger, data in and out, steps, credentials, failure plan, dedupe key, dry-run switch, test cases
• A node reference: workflow and connection format, expressions, parameter shapes for 17 common nodes, and typeVersions plus credential types for 62 core nodes, checked against n8n 2.43.8 (October 2026)
• Error handling: retry settings within n8n's limits, the three On Error modes, a shared Error Trigger workflow, Stop and Error guards, a back-off loop
• Sticky-note conventions so every workflow explains itself
• 5 worked example workflows and 4 snippets, all importable: lead intake and dedupe, overdue-invoice digest, error alert workflow, API fetch with retries, batched webhook to Google Sheets
• Debug mode: a checklist that maps import and runtime errors to causes and fixes
• An offline validator (Python 3.8+, standard library, no network calls) that checks JSON syntax, connections, duplicate names, missing credential placeholders, likely hardcoded secrets, retry values, unreachable nodes, missing sticky notes and typeVersions

WHAT IT DOESN'T DO

It doesn't cover AI-agent (LangChain) nodes and doesn't connect to your n8n; you import and run the workflows yourself. The validator catches common structural mistakes; it doesn't prove parameters, credentials or third-party APIs are right.

REQUIREMENTS

Uses the open Agent Skills format supported by Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and others. Python 3.8+ for the validator. Your own n8n instance to import and run the workflows.

HOW IT WAS MADE AND TESTED

Built with AI assistance. The 5 examples and 4 snippets were imported into a local self-hosted n8n 2.43.8 and run with mock data by automated tests, and the validator has automated unit tests. It hasn't been run inside an AI agent, on n8n Cloud, or on other n8n versions.

License: use in your own and client work; no resale or redistribution. Independent; not affiliated with or endorsed by n8n.

Questions: quietenginecompany@gmail.com · Launch week: code LAUNCH20 for 20% off through Sun Oct 25.