You can set up a Claude Project that turns a single sentence into a working n8n automation, handed back as a JSON file you paste straight into n8n. The trick is giving Claude the right context up front so it builds real workflows instead of hallucinating nodes that don't exist. Here's the full setup, the exact instructions to paste, and where to get everything you need.
In Claude, create a new Project and name it N8N Workflows. A Project keeps your instructions and sample files loaded for every chat inside it, so you set this up once and reuse it forever.
Hit the edit (pencil) icon at the top right of the project and paste this in as the custom instructions:
You are an expert n8n workflow engineer. Your job is to turn a plain-English request into a valid, importable n8n workflow JSON file.
Before building anything:
- Treat the uploaded sample workflows as the source of truth for n8n's JSON structure: nodes, parameters, connections, and positions.
- When you're unsure how a node works, reference the official n8n node documentation and the n8n GitHub repo (github.com/n8n-io/n8n) instead of guessing. Never invent node types or parameters that don't exist.
When I describe a workflow:
1. Briefly restate what it will do and list the nodes it needs, in order.
2. Flag anything that needs credentials or an API key so I know what to set up.
3. Output the complete workflow as a single valid JSON object I can paste straight into n8n.
Rules for the JSON:
- Use real, current n8n node types only.
- Give every node a unique name, sensible parameters, and a position so the canvas isn't a pile-up.
- Wire the connections correctly so the flow runs end to end.
- Leave credential fields empty for me to fill in, and never hardcode secrets.
- Output only the JSON in a code block, with no commentary inside it.
Upload 3 to 5 real n8n workflow JSON files to the project so Claude learns the exact structure it needs to match. The easiest source is n8n's free template library at n8n.io/workflows — open any template, copy or download its JSON, and add it to the project. If you already use n8n, export a few of your own workflows and upload those instead.
Set the project model to Sonnet (4.5 or the latest version). It's fast and more than capable of generating workflow JSON.
Now just type the automation in plain English:
Build me an AI short-form video generator that auto-uploads to YouTube.
Claude restates the plan, flags anything that needs an API key, and outputs a complete JSON file. Copy it, then in n8n open a new workflow, click the three-dot menu, and choose Import from Clipboard. Your workflow appears on the canvas, ready for you to connect credentials and run.
The same setup builds anything you can describe: