Getting Started
Quick start guide for n8n MCP Bridge
Getting Started
Get up and running with n8n MCP Bridge in 5 minutes.
Overview
n8n MCP Bridge connects your AI assistants to n8n workflows through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This guide will walk you through the complete setup process.
What You'll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- Docker & Docker Compose - For running the services
- Node.js 20+ - For local development (optional)
- PostgreSQL 16 - Runs via Docker
- n8n Instance - Either self-hosted or cloud
- n8n API Key - From your n8n instance settings
Setup Process
Follow these guides in order for a smooth setup:
1. Installation
Install and run n8n MCP Bridge locally using Docker Compose.
2. Authentication
Sign in using Google or GitHub OAuth to access the dashboard.
3. Create Your First API Key
Set up your first MCP API key to connect to n8n.
4. Connect to Claude Desktop
Configure Claude Desktop to use your MCP server.
Quick Installation
If you just want to get started quickly:
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/tomasgrasl/n8n-mcp-bridge
cd n8n-mcp-bridge
# Copy environment variables
cp .env.example .env
# Start the services
task devThe application will be available at:
- Web UI: http://localhost:3000
- MCP Server: http://localhost:3001
Architecture
The n8n MCP Bridge consists of three main services:
-
Next.js Web Application (Port 3000)
- User dashboard and authentication
- API key management
- OAuth client configuration
- Memory system management
-
MCP Server (Port 3001)
- Handles MCP protocol communication
- Validates API keys via internal API
- Executes n8n workflow operations
- Logs usage analytics
-
PostgreSQL Database (Port 5432)
- Stores user accounts and sessions
- Manages API keys and OAuth clients
- Tracks usage and analytics
- Stores memory items
Support
Need help? Check out:
Next Steps
Continue with the Installation Guide to set up your environment.