Configure AI agent rules for optimal n8n workflow automation
Agent rules help your AI client understand n8n workflow patterns, best practices, and common pitfalls. Configure these rules once and get expert-level workflow building:
Node discovery patterns: When to use search_nodes vs get_node
Workflow building guidelines: Proper connection handling and node configuration
Validation requirements: Always validate before deployment
Self-healing instructions: How to leverage n8n_trigger_execution for automatic error fixing
Rules are optional but highly recommended. They significantly improve the quality of AI-generated workflows.
Open Claude (Desktop app or Claude.ai website) and navigate to Projects → Create New Project. Give your project a name and description, and then click “Create Project”.
2
Edit Custom Instructions
In the project, click the plus icon on the right-hand side of the Instructions text label.
3
Add Custom Instructions
Visit the Claude instructions for SyntaThen, copy the file’s content, paste it into the text field and click Save instructions.
Click the three dots (…) at the top of the editor’s agent panel → Customizations and switch to the Rules tab.
2
Add rule
Choose either:
+ Global (applies across all your workspaces)
+ Workspace (applies only to the current project).
3
Copy description and content, then save
In the editor for the rule:
Set the activation mode (recommended: Model Decision).
Description — Copy and paste from this block:
Copy
Expert guidance for building and editing n8n workflows with Synta MCP tools. Use for creating new workflows, modifying existing workflows, template discovery, node configuration, validation, and connection management in n8n.
Start a new session (or restart the gateway) so OpenClaw picks up the skill. You can invoke it via slash command or let the agent match by description.
Go to Windsurf → Settings → Windsurf Settings, click on the Cascade tab on the left-hand sidebar, find the Cascade Rules heading and click “Manage rules”.
