Contributing to the n8n project is a great way to get involved with the open automation community and improve one of the most popular workflow platforms today. Here's a complete guide on how to contribute to n8n:
🚀 Ways to Contribute to n8n
🛠 1. Contribute Code (Core or Community Packages)
a. Clone the Repository
git clone https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git
cd n8n
npm install
b. Make Changes
- Fix bugs, improve performance, or add new features.
- Follow the coding standards and use existing architectural patterns.
- You can also create new nodes or credentials under
/packages.
c. Run Locally
npm run dev
- This will start n8n in development mode so you can test your changes.
d. Submit a Pull Request
- Create a new branch for your changes.
- Follow the pull request template.
- Include a clear description of what was changed and why.
👉 Repository: https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n
📦 2. Build Custom Nodes & Share via MCP
n8n now supports Modular Community Packages (MCP):
- You can build your own node package (e.g.,
n8n-nodes-mycompany) and share it publicly or privately.
- This is great for integration with APIs or services not yet supported by core nodes.
Resources:
📚 3. Improve Documentation
Help clarify or expand:
- Workflow examples
- Node usage
- API references
- Dev environment setup
Contribute directly at the n8n docs repo:
👉 https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n-docs
🐞 4. Report Bugs or Request Features
- Use GitHub Issues to:
- Report bugs
- Suggest new nodes or features
- Comment on open issues or roadmap items
👉 n8n GitHub Issues
💬 5. Join the Community
- Engage on the official n8n Community Forum
- Share your workflows, get help, or offer advice.
- Participate in hackathons, roadmap discussions, or beta tests.
💡 6. Share Templates & Workflows
🧭 Contribution Guidelines
Make sure to read:
🧰 Tools You'll Need
| Tool | Purpose |
| ----------------- | --------------------- |
| Node.js (v18+) | Runtime environment |
| npm / Yarn | Dependency management |
| Docker (optional) | For testing services |
| Git | Version control |
🤝 Start Here!
If you're unsure how to start:
- Look for issues labeled
good first issue on GitHub.
- Ask on the forum for beginner-friendly contribution tasks.
- Fork and experiment with nodes you're passionate about.
Would you like me to walk you through creating your first custom n8n node or submitting a PR?