Claude Can Now Run and Build Your n8n Workflows

2026-11-10 11:1115 min read

The video explains how to connect Claude to a self-hosted n8n server so it can both run automations and answer questions without using a local computer. It walks through renting a VPS from Hostinger, installing n8n with a ready-made template, creating an owner account, and configuring Claude access through the n8n MCP settings. A demo workflow is built using a schedule trigger, a data table containing yesterday’s coffee orders, an aggregate step to combine rows into one record, and a basic LLM chain with Claude to generate a short sales summary. The speaker emphasizes using a server-based setup, choosing the right Claude connector, defining clear workflow names, and letting automation handle calculations while AI writes the summary text. The result is a 24/7 autonomous workflow that can be queried on demand and can also be expanded to create new automations.

Key Information

  • The video explains how to connect Claude to a self-hosted n8n server so it can run automations on your behalf.
  • It uses Hostinger VPS hosting and recommends choosing a server that stays online 24/7, such as KVM 2 or higher, for reliable automation.
  • n8n is described as a drag-and-drop workflow automation tool that runs on a server and can execute tasks even when your computer is off.
  • A promotional Hostinger deal is mentioned, including Black Friday discounts and an extra promo code discount.
  • The setup involves installing the regular n8n version on the server, creating an n8n account, and using the provided server address.
  • The workflow built in the example starts with a daily schedule trigger at 7:00 AM.
  • A data table is created and populated by importing a CSV of yesterday's orders, with columns auto-detected and data types set correctly.
  • An aggregation step is important because it combines all rows into one item; without it, the AI step would run separately for each order and waste credits.
  • The AI step uses a Basic LLM chain, not the generic message-to-model node, because Claude needs the correct connector setup.
  • Claude is connected through an official n8n OpenAI chat model connector, with the server/API base URL adjusted to the Hostinger-provided endpoint.
  • The AI model selected is Claude 3.5 Haiku because the task is simple and cost-efficient.
  • The prompt asks Claude to summarize the data into three short sentences: revenue, bestseller, and most active city.
  • The workflow is published, named, and then allowed to access Claude through MCP instance-level permissions.
  • Claude can also create or modify workflows, not just run them, but permissions can be limited to read-only or custom access.
  • The final example shows Claude successfully summarizing sales data and a new step being added by Claude, demonstrating that the assistant can both answer questions and update workflows.

Timeline Analysis

Content Keywords

Claude and n8n Integration

The video explains how to connect Claude to a self-hosted n8n server so Claude can run automations, answer questions using workflow data, and eventually both read and perform tasks. It emphasizes that the setup works through an always-on server rather than a local laptop.

Hostinger VPS for n8n

Hostinger is used as the hosting provider for the tutorial. The speaker recommends a VPS plan with enough RAM and CPU, highlights Black Friday discounts and promo code savings, and explains that the server comes preconfigured with n8n, SSL, and a valid web address.

n8n Workflow Automation

n8n is presented as a drag-and-drop automation platform that runs workflows continuously on a server. The video shows how to build automations from scratch, schedule them, and use them for repetitive tasks like reports, file handling, and cross-app actions.

Data Table and Aggregation

The workflow uses n8n's built-in data table to store imported CSV order data. The tutorial demonstrates creating a table, importing rows, selecting all records, and aggregating six rows into a single summary so the AI processes one combined result instead of multiple separate ones.

OpenAI Chat Model and Claude 3.5 Haiku

To power the AI step, the speaker uses the OpenAI chat model connector with Claude 3.5 Haiku selected as the model. The key is copied from Hostinger's AI provider management, with the server URL adjusted correctly so the model list loads and no separate personal account is required.

Prompt Design for Sales Summary

The prompt asks Claude to summarize the order data in three simple sentences: total revenue, best-selling product, and most active city. The result generates a short sales report, such as total revenue for six orders and the top product and city.

MCP Access and Permissions

The video explains how to enable MCP access for new workflows so Claude can interact with n8n tools and workflows. It compares permission modes like 'everyone,' 'read-only,' and custom access, showing how to control what Claude is allowed to do.

Self-Hosted AI Automation Benefits

The main takeaway is that self-hosted n8n keeps automations running 24/7 without needing the user's computer on, and Claude can be queried anytime. The speaker also notes that calculations should be handled by automation while AI handles the wording, making workflows more reliable and scalable.

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