n8n Node ConfigurationSAFE

From the repository's own README, as read at the audited commit. Badges and raw HTML are left out.

n8n-node-configuration/
├── SKILL.md
│   Main configuration guide
│   - Configuration philosophy (progressive disclosure)
│   - Core concepts (operation-aware, dependencies)
│   - Configuration workflow (8-step process)
│   - get_node vs get_node({detail: "full"})
│   - Property dependencies

The instruction file, verbatim from the audited commit — this is the text the model reads, and the surface the audit's instruction layer examines. Quoted here so you can judge it without cloning anything.

---
name: n8n-node-configuration
description: Operation-aware node configuration guidance. Use when configuring nodes, understanding property dependencies, determining required fields, choosing between get_node detail levels, or learning common configuration patterns by node type — including the native nodes that replace Code (Summarize, Aggregate, Split Out, Merge, Compare Datasets, Remove Duplicates, Sort, Limit, Date & Time, HTTP Request pagination, Crypto). Always use this skill when setting up node parameters — it explains which fields are required for each operation, how displayOptions control field visibility, and when to use patchNodeField for surgical edits vs full node updates.
---

# n8n Node Configuration

Expert guidance for operation-aware node configuration with property dependencies.

---

## Configuration Philosophy

**Progressive disclosure**: Start minimal, add complexity as needed

Configuration best practices:
- `get_node` with `detail: "standard"` is the most used discovery pattern
- 56 seconds average between configuration edits
- Covers 95% of use cases with 1-2K tokens response

**Key insight**: Most configurations need only standard detail, not full schema!

---

## Core Concepts

### 1. Operation-Aware Configuration

**Not all fields are always required** - it depends on operation!

**Example**: Slack node
```javascript
// For operation='post'
{
  "resource": "message",
  "operation": "post",
  "channel": "#general",  // Required for post
  "text": "Hello!"        // Required for post
}

// For operation='update'
{
  "resource": "message",
  "operation": "update",
  "messageId": "123",     // Required for update (different!)
  "text": "Updated!"      // Required for update
  // channel NOT required for update
}
```

**Key**: Resource + operation determine which fields are required!

### 2. Property Dependencies

**Fields appear/disappear based on other field values**

**Example**: HTTP Request node
```javascript
// When method='GET'
{
  "method": "GET",
  "url": "https://api.example.com"
  // sendBody not shown (GET doesn't have body)
}

// When method='POST'
{
  "method": "POST",
  "url": "https://api.example.com",
  "sendBody": true,       // Now visible!
  "body": {               // Required when sendBody=true
    "contentType": "json",
    "content": {...}
  }
}
```

**Mechanism**: displayOptions control field visibility

### 3. Progressive Discovery

**Use the right detail level**:

1. **get_node({detail: "standard"})** - DEFAULT
   - Quick overview (~1-2K tokens)
   - Required fields + common options
   - **Use first** - covers 95% of needs

2. **get_node({mode: "search_properties", propertyQuery: "..."})** (for finding specific fields)
   - Find properties by name
   - Use when looking for auth, body, headers, etc.

3. **get_node({detail: "full"})** (complete schema)
   - All properties (~3-8K tokens)
   - Use only when standard detail is insufficient

---

## Configuration Workflow

### Standard Process

1. Identify node type and operation.
2. Use `get_node` (standard detail is default).
3. Configure required fields.
4. Validate configuration.
5. If a field is unclear → `get_node({mode: "search_properties"})`.
6. Add optional fields as needed.
7. Validate again.
8. Deploy.

### Example: Configuring HTTP Request

The validate-driven loop in practice: start minimal (`method`, `url`, `authentication`), then let each `validate_node` error surface the next required field (`sendBody` for POST → `body` when `sendBody=true`) until valid. Full step-by-step walkthrough in **[OPERATION_PATTERNS.md](OPERATION_PATTERNS.md#worked-example-configuring-http-request-step-by-step)**.

---

## get_node Detail Levels

### Standard Detail (DEFAULT - Use This!)

**✅ Starting configuration**
```javascript
get_node({
  nodeType: "nodes-base.slack"
});
// detail="standard" is the default
```

**Returns** (~1-2K tokens):
- Required fields, resolved for the node's current typeVersion
- Operation list
- The settings inside `options` collections (n8n-mcp 2.97.0+): name + one line with nested field names, allowed
  values and when each applies — HTTP Request pagination and batching, Webhook raw body, Merge combine settings, ...
- Metadata

**Use**: 95% of configuration needs. Read the options list before deciding a job needs a Code node.

### Full Detail (Use Sparingly)

**✅ When standard isn't enough**
```javascript
get_node({
  nodeType: "nodes-base.slack",
  detail: "full"
});
```

**Returns** (~3-8K tokens):
- Complete schema
- All properties
- All nested options

**Warning**: Large response, use only when standard insufficient

### Search Properties Mode

**✅ Looking for specific field**
```javascript
get_node({
  nodeType: "nodes-base.httpRequest",
  mode: "search_properties",
  propertyQuery: "auth"
});
```

**Use**: Find authentication, headers, body fields, etc.

### Decision Tree

1. Starting a new node config → `get_node` (standard).
2. Standard has what you need → configure with it. Otherwise continue. (On n8n-mcp 2.97.0+ standard also lists each
   `options` collection; a list cut at 25 settings says so.)
3. Looking for a specific field → `search_properties` mode. Otherwise continue.
4. Still need more → `get_node({detail: "full"})`.

**Dynamic properties**: when `standard` detail marks a property with `dynamicOptions: {methodName, methodType, dependsOn}`, its real values come from a live `loadOptions`/`listSearch` method, not from bundled docs — don't guess an ID for it. Resolve it with `n8n_explore_node_resources` (needs `N8N_MCP_ACCESS_TOKEN`, n8n 2.34+) and put the returned `value` in the config; `name` is display text only.

All six parameters are required and none are inferred from each other:

```javascript
n8n_explore_node_resources({
  nodeType: "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",  // LONG form
  version: 4.5,                              // the node typeVersion the method belongs to
  methodName: "getSheets",                   // copied verbatim from dynamicOptions

SAFEgrade B · trust 89/100 Nothing in the source contradicts what it says it does. Grade A is reserved for packages that have also passed the behavioural sandbox.

What the source does

Filesystem

none-observed

Network

none-observed

Shell

none-observed

Dependencies

pinned

Secrets in source

none-found

Findings (0)

No findings outside the package's declared scope.

Gates applied: no_behavioural_pass.

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