Installation

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

Node.js installed - Download Node.js (version 16 or higher)
Synta MCP API Key - Get yours at synta.io/mcp
n8n credentials - Your n8n instance URL and API key

The API key from synta.io/mcp is different from your n8n API key. You’ll need both for full functionality.

How to get your n8n API key

Follow these steps to obtain your n8n API key:

Open your n8n instance and log in
Navigate to Settings - Click on your profile icon in the bottom left
Go to n8n API - Find it in the sidebar menu
Create an API Key:
- Click the “Create an API Key” button
- Give it a descriptive label (e.g., “Synta MCP Integration”)
- Click “Create”
Copy the API key - Save it securely, you won’t be able to see it again!

Synta MCP requires a publicly accessible n8n instance (e.g., https://your-instance.app.n8n.cloud). Localhost URLs are not supported.

Configuration by Client

Select your AI coding agent below to see the specific configuration steps:

Cursor
Claude Desktop
Claude Code

Option 1: Quick Install (Recommended)

Click the button below to install Synta MCP with one click:

After clicking:

Cursor will prompt you to install the server
Important: You’ll need to manually edit the configuration to replace:
- YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY with your API key from synta.io/mcp
- YOUR_N8N_URL with your n8n instance URL
- YOUR_N8N_API_KEY with your n8n API key
Restart Cursor

Option 2: Manual Configuration

Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

You can access the configuration in two ways:Method A - Via Cursor UI:

Open Cursor
Go to Cursor → Settings → Cursor Settings
Navigate to Tools and MCP
Click on “New MCP Server”

Method B - Direct File Edit:

macOS: ~/.cursor/mcp.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Cursor\mcp.json
Linux: ~/.config/cursor/mcp.json

Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

Add the following configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "synta-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.synta.io/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Replace Credentials

Replace the following placeholders:

YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY - Your API key from synta.io/mcp
YOUR_N8N_URL - Your n8n instance URL (e.g., https://your-instance.app.n8n.cloud)
YOUR_N8N_API_KEY - Your n8n API key

Optional (Highly Recommended): Enable Advanced Execution

Unlock AI-driven workflow testing and self-correction by adding your n8n login credentials:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "synta-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.synta.io/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Login-Email: YOUR_EMAIL",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Login-Password: YOUR_PASSWORD"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Replace the additional placeholders:

YOUR_EMAIL - Your n8n login email
YOUR_PASSWORD - Your n8n login password

🔒 Security & Privacy:

End-to-end TLS 1.3 encryption: All data transmitted over HTTPS
Never stored: Credentials are only used for temporary session authentication
Per-session isolation: Each MCP session maintains its own auth cookies
Automatic cleanup: Session tokens expire after use and are not persisted
Header-based: Credentials stay in your local config, never sent to logs

✨ Benefits:

AI tests workflows, detects errors, and automatically fixes issues
Execute workflows directly from AI to verify functionality
Get full execution data including all node outputs for debugging
Auto-detects and uses Manual, Chat, or Webhook triggers
Polls until completion and returns immediate results

Without login credentials:

All 39 other tools work normally
Use n8n_trigger_webhook_workflow for webhook-based executions (but workflow must be activated)
Create, validate, and manage workflows without limitations

Step 4: Restart Cursor

Close and reopen Cursor to load the new MCP configuration. You should now see Synta MCP tools available in your AI assistant.

Step 5: Add Custom Agent Rules (Recommended)

Enhance your AI assistant with specialized n8n workflow expertise:

Open Cursor chat and click the @ symbol
Type “rules” in the input field
Click “Add New Rule”
Get the rule content:
- Visit the Synta-MCP GitHub repository
- Navigate to .cursor/rules/
- Copy the contents of the Cursor rules file
Paste the content into the new rule
Save the rule

These custom rules turn your AI assistant into an n8n workflow specialist, providing expert guidance on workflow building, node configuration, and best practices.

Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

You can access the configuration in two ways:Method A - Via Claude Desktop UI:

Open Claude Desktop
Go to Claude → Settings
Click on the Developer tab
Click Edit Config

Method B - Direct File Edit:

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

If the claude_desktop_config.json file doesn’t exist, create it in the appropriate location above.

Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

Add the following configuration to your config file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "synta-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.synta.io/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Replace Credentials

Replace the following placeholders:

YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY - Your API key from synta.io/mcp
YOUR_N8N_URL - Your n8n instance URL (e.g., https://your-instance.app.n8n.cloud)
YOUR_N8N_API_KEY - Your n8n API key

Optional (Highly Recommended): Enable Advanced Execution

Unlock AI-driven workflow testing and self-correction by adding your n8n login credentials:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "synta-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.synta.io/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Login-Email: YOUR_EMAIL",
        "--header",
        "X-N8n-Login-Password: YOUR_PASSWORD"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Replace the additional placeholders:

YOUR_EMAIL - Your n8n login email
YOUR_PASSWORD - Your n8n login password

Security & Privacy:

End-to-end TLS 1.3 encryption for all data transmission
Credentials never stored, only used for temporary session authentication
Per-session isolation with automatic cookie cleanup
Header-based authentication stays in your local config

Benefits:

AI tests workflows, detects errors, and automatically fixes issues
Execute workflows directly from AI to verify functionality
Get full execution data including all node outputs for debugging
Auto-detects and uses Manual, Chat, or Webhook triggers
Polls until completion and returns immediate results

Without login credentials:

All 39 other tools work normally
Use n8n_trigger_webhook_workflow for webhook-based executions (workflow must be activated)
Create, validate, and manage workflows without limitations

Step 4: Restart Claude Desktop

Quit and restart Claude Desktop to load the new MCP configuration. You should now see Synta MCP tools available.

Step 5: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

Transform Claude into an n8n workflow expert with custom project instructions:

Create a new project in Claude:
- Click on Projects in the sidebar
- Click Create New Project
- Enter a project name (e.g., “n8n Workflow Development”)
- Add a description (e.g., “Building and managing n8n workflows with Synta MCP”)
- Click Create Project
Add custom instructions:
- In your new project, look for Instructions section
- Click the ”+” button next to “Instructions”
- Visit the Synta-MCP GitHub repository
- Navigate to .claude/agents/
- Copy the contents of the Claude agent file
- Paste the content into the Instructions field
- Save the instructions

These custom instructions provide Claude with expert knowledge about n8n workflow patterns, node configurations, validation strategies, and best practices. Your conversations within this project will benefit from specialized n8n expertise.

Step 1: Install via CLI

Claude Code uses command-line setup. Open your terminal and run:For Linux, macOS, or Windows (WSL/Git Bash):

claude mcp add synta-mcp \
  -- npx -y mcp-remote https://mcp.synta.io/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY" \
  --header "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL" \
  --header "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY"

For Windows PowerShell:

claude mcp add synta-mcp `
  -- npx -y mcp-remote https://mcp.synta.io/mcp `
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY" `
  --header "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL" `
  --header "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY"

Step 2: Replace Credentials

Replace the following placeholders in the command above:

YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY - Your API key from synta.io/mcp
YOUR_N8N_URL - Your n8n instance URL (e.g., https://your-instance.app.n8n.cloud)
YOUR_N8N_API_KEY - Your n8n API key

Optional (Highly Recommended): Enable Advanced Execution

Unlock AI-driven workflow testing and self-correction by adding your n8n login credentials:For Linux, macOS, or Windows (WSL/Git Bash):

claude mcp add synta-mcp \
  -- npx -y mcp-remote https://mcp.synta.io/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY" \
  --header "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL" \
  --header "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY" \
  --header "X-N8n-Login-Email: YOUR_EMAIL" \
  --header "X-N8n-Login-Password: YOUR_PASSWORD"

For Windows PowerShell:

claude mcp add synta-mcp `
  -- npx -y mcp-remote https://mcp.synta.io/mcp `
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SYNTA_API_KEY" `
  --header "X-N8n-Url: YOUR_N8N_URL" `
  --header "X-N8n-Key: YOUR_N8N_API_KEY" `
  --header "X-N8n-Login-Email: YOUR_EMAIL" `
  --header "X-N8n-Login-Password: YOUR_PASSWORD"

Replace the additional placeholders:

YOUR_EMAIL - Your n8n login email
YOUR_PASSWORD - Your n8n login password

Security & Privacy:

End-to-end TLS 1.3 encryption for all data transmission
Credentials never stored, only used for temporary session authentication
Per-session isolation with automatic cookie cleanup
Header-based authentication stays in your local config

Benefits:

AI tests workflows, detects errors, and automatically fixes issues
Execute workflows directly from AI to verify functionality
Get full execution data including all node outputs for debugging
Auto-detects and uses Manual, Chat, or Webhook triggers
Polls until completion and returns immediate results

Without login credentials:

All 39 other tools work normally
Use n8n_trigger_webhook_workflow for webhook-based executions (workflow must be activated)
Create, validate, and manage workflows without limitations

Step 3: Verify Installation

Check that the server was added successfully:

claude mcp list
claude mcp get synta-mcp

During a conversation in Claude Code, use the /mcp command to see server status and available tools.

Alternative: Import from Claude Desktop - If you already have Synta MCP configured in Claude Desktop:

claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop

Step 4: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

Provide Claude Code with expert n8n workflow knowledge using project-specific instructions:

Create a CLAUDE.md file in your project root directory
Get the agent instructions:
- Visit the Synta-MCP GitHub repository
- Navigate to .claude/agents/
- Copy the contents of the Claude agent file (same file used for Claude Desktop)
- Paste the content into your CLAUDE.md file
Save the file - Claude Code will automatically read it for project context

Claude Code automatically uses CLAUDE.md files in your project root to provide specialized assistance. This gives you the same expert n8n workflow guidance available in Claude Desktop, tailored for your command-line workflow.

Verify Installation

After restarting your AI agent, verify the installation by asking:

Can you search for the slack node in n8n

Your AI agent should respond with search results for Slack nodes if the installation was successful.

If you encounter any issues, check the Troubleshooting page for common problems and solutions.

Getting Started

Overview

Privacy

Prerequisites

Configuration by Client

Option 1: Quick Install (Recommended)

Option 2: Manual Configuration

Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

Step 3: Replace Credentials

Step 4: Restart Cursor

Step 5: Add Custom Agent Rules (Recommended)

Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

Step 3: Replace Credentials

Step 4: Restart Claude Desktop

Step 5: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

Step 1: Install via CLI

Step 2: Replace Credentials

Step 3: Verify Installation

Step 4: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

Verify Installation

Next Steps

Explore Tools & Features

Get Help

Getting Started

Overview

Privacy

​Prerequisites

​Configuration by Client

​Option 1: Quick Install (Recommended)

​Option 2: Manual Configuration

​Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

​Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

​Step 3: Replace Credentials

​Step 4: Restart Cursor

​Step 5: Add Custom Agent Rules (Recommended)

​Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

​Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

​Step 3: Replace Credentials

​Step 4: Restart Claude Desktop

​Step 5: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

​Step 1: Install via CLI

​Step 2: Replace Credentials

​Step 3: Verify Installation

​Step 4: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

​Verify Installation

​Next Steps

Explore Tools & Features

Get Help

Prerequisites

Configuration by Client

Option 1: Quick Install (Recommended)

Option 2: Manual Configuration

Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

Step 3: Replace Credentials

Step 4: Restart Cursor

Step 5: Add Custom Agent Rules (Recommended)

Step 1: Locate Your MCP Configuration File

Step 2: Add Synta MCP Configuration

Step 3: Replace Credentials

Step 4: Restart Claude Desktop

Step 5: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

Step 1: Install via CLI

Step 2: Replace Credentials

Step 3: Verify Installation

Step 4: Add Custom Agent Instructions (Recommended)

Verify Installation

Next Steps