← All N8N workflows
Automation & utilitiesCodeExecute Workflow TriggerMcp TriggerSwitchTool Code

Always Authenticate Your Server!

Configured with Execute Workflow Trigger, Mcp Trigger, Switch, Tool Code, and additional nodes. Review the connections and setup before adapting this template.

Workflow preview
TriggerWhen Executed byAnother WorkflowExecute Workflow TriggerRoutingOperationSwitchTriggerSQLite MCP ServerMcp TriggerCodeCreateRecordCodeCodeUpdateRecordCodeCodeReadRecordsCodeCodeDescribeTablesTool CodeCodeListTablesTool CodeSubworkflowCreateRecordsTool WorkflowSubworkflowUpdateRowsTool WorkflowSubworkflowReadRowsTool Workflow

Node categories in this workflow

  • Trigger
  • Routing
  • Code
  • Subworkflow

Icons describe general node roles, inferred from node types. Inspect the parameters for the configured action.

Drag to pan; use + and − to zoom. Reconstructed from the exported node positions; nothing runs here. Dashed lines represent non-main connections. Full node names and notes appear below.

How it works

The exported workflow contains the following configured nodes. Their connections are shown above; inspect the JSON for the complete logic, expressions, and external actions.

Workflow node names, types, and operations
NodeCategoryTypeOperation
When Executed by Another WorkflowTriggerExecute Workflow TriggerSee node parameters
OperationRoutingSwitchSee node parameters
SQLite MCP ServerTriggerMcp TriggerSee node parameters
CreateRecordCodeCodeSee node parameters
UpdateRecordCodeCodeSee node parameters
ReadRecordsCodeCodeSee node parameters
DescribeTablesCodeTool CodeSee node parameters
ListTablesCodeTool CodeSee node parameters
CreateRecordsSubworkflowTool WorkflowSee node parameters
UpdateRowsSubworkflowTool WorkflowSee node parameters
ReadRowsSubworkflowTool WorkflowSee node parameters

Setup

  1. Download the JSON and import it into an isolated n8n instance. Leave the workflow inactive.
  2. Connect your own credentials through n8n’s credential store. Replace REPLACE_WITH_* values with your resource identifiers.
  3. Inspect API destinations, Code nodes, database queries, file paths, and outbound actions.
  4. Run with synthetic data and harmless destinations. Enable triggers only after checking the actual outputs.

Requirements

An n8n instance with the listed node types and compatible versions. Service-connected workflows may require accounts, credentials, or paid APIs.

Credential types declared in the source

None declared. HTTP requests and Code nodes may still need configuration.

Workflow notes

1. Set up an MCP Server Trigger

1. Set up an MCP Server Trigger

Read more about the MCP Server Trigger

2. Keep Secure by Preventing Raw SQL Statements

2. Keep Secure by Preventing Raw SQL Statements

Read more about the Code Node

Whilst it may be easier to just let the Agent provide the full raw SQL statement, it may expose you or your organisation to a real security risk where in the worst case, data may be unknowingly leaked or deleted.

Forcing the agent to provide only the parameters of the query means we can guard somewhat against this risk and also allows use of query parameters as best practice against SQL injection attacks.

Always Authenticate Your Server!

Always Authenticate Your Server!

Before going to production, it's always advised to enable authentication on your MCP server trigger.

Try It Out!

Try It Out!

NOTE: This template is for Self-Hosted N8N Instances only.

This n8n demonstrates how to build a simple SQLite MCP server to perform local database operations as well as use it for Business Intelligence.

This MCP example is based off an official MCP reference implementation which can be found here -https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/tree/main/src/sqlite

How it works

  • A MCP server trigger is used and connected to 5 tools: 2 Code Node and 3 Custom Workflow.
  • The 2 Code Node tools use the SQLLite3 library and are simple read-only queries and as such, the Code Node tool can be simply used.
  • The 3 custom workflow tools are used for select, insert and update queries as these are operations which require a bit more discretion.
  • Whilst it may be easier to allow the agent to use raw SQL queries, we may find it a little safer to just allow for the parameters instead. The custom workflow tool allows us to define this restricted schema for tool input which we'll use to construct the SQL statement ourselves.
  • All 3 custom workflow tools trigger the same "Execute workflow" trigger in this very template which has a switch to route the operation to the correct handler.
  • Finally, we use our Code nodes to handle select, insert and update operations. The responses are then sent back to the the MCP client.

How to use

  • This SQLite MCP server allows any compatible MCP client to manage a SQLite database by supporting select, create and update operations. You will need to have a SQLite database available before you can use this server.
  • Connect your MCP client by following the n8n guidelines here - https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-langchain.mcptrigger/#integrating-with-claude-desktop
  • Try the following queries in your MCP client:
    • "Please create a table to store business insights and add the following..."
    • "what business insights do we have on current retail trends?"
    • "Who has contributed the most business insights in the past week?"

Requirements

  • SQLite for database.
  • MCP Client or Agent for usage such as Claude Desktop - https://claude.ai/download

Customising this workflow

  • If the scope of schemas or tables is too open, try restrict it so the MCP serves a specific purpose for business operations. eg. Confine the querying and editing to HR only tables before providing access to people in that department.
  • Remember to set the MCP server to require credentials before going to production and sharing this MCP server with others!
SELF-HOSTED ONLY

SELF-HOSTED ONLY

This template only works for self-hosted n8n instances as it reads the database file on disk.

Always Authenticate Your Server!

Always Authenticate Your Server!

Purpose and structure

This folder contains the Always Authenticate Your Server! workflow. Its executable nodes use code, executeWorkflowTrigger, mcpTrigger, switch, toolCode, toolWorkflow. The table and connection map below are derived from the JSON, not an inferred guarantee of behavior.

Setup

Import inactive. Configure your own credentials and replace REPLACE_WITH_* values. Review external destinations and Code nodes before running.

Entry points

When Executed by Another Workflow, SQLite MCP Server

Verification

Sanitized source candidate; not runtime-tested. This overview is generated from node metadata. Read the folder README for the connection map, credential types, and license.

Attribution

https://github.com/Zie619/n8n-workflows/blob/94007c1445d9258a7da116646b79473e7c7c3282/workflows/Stickynote/0874_Stickynote_Executeworkflow_Create_Triggered.json MIT; preserve source notices.

More in Automation & utilities