n8n-node-configuration

Files (6)

• DEPENDENCIES.md
• NATIVE_NODES.md
• NODE_FAMILY_GOTCHAS.md
• OPERATION_PATTERNS.md
• README.md
• SKILL.md

SKILL.md (first lines)

# 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({

From czlonkowski/n8n-skills, MIT.

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