---
ref: tool:n8n/create-workflow
name: Create a workflow
company: company:n8n
workflows: []
access: [mcp, cli, api]
tags: [capability:automate-workflows, category:automation, has:api, has:cli, has:mcp]
docs: https://docs.n8n.io/connect/n8n-api/workflow
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Create a workflow

Creates an n8n workflow from its nodes and connections and returns the new workflow with its ID.

Note: Over MCP, write it with the n8n Workflow SDK and check it with `validate_workflow` first. The new workflow runs in production only once it is published (`publish_workflow` on the MCP server).

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "n8n": { "url": "https://{n8n_host}/mcp-server/http" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `create_workflow_from_code`.

Server URL: https://{n8n_host}/mcp-server/http

Note: `{n8n_host}` is your instance's domain, such as `acme.app.n8n.cloud`. An owner or admin turns on Settings > Instance-level MCP first.

### CLI (official)

Install the command, then confirm it runs.

```sh
npm install -g @n8n/cli
n8n-cli --version
```

Run `n8n-cli workflow create`.

Set `$N8N_API_KEY` in your environment first.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://{n8n_host}/api/v1
- Endpoint: `POST /workflows`
- Auth: send the header `X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY`
- Docs: https://docs.n8n.io/connect/n8n-api

Note: `{n8n_host}` is your instance's domain, such as `acme.app.n8n.cloud`. The API is not available during the free trial.

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
- Never print API keys.