# n8n AI Agents

Combine agent components in visual workflows with tools and data sources.

Canonical profile: https://agenten-kompass.mmeierhoff.chatgpt.site/en/agents/n8n/
Editor: [Michael Meierhoff](https://agenten-kompass.mmeierhoff.chatgpt.site/en/about/)
Sources reviewed: 2026-09-30
Basis: provider documentation. Examples are editorial suggestions, not hands-on product tests.

## Overview

n8n is a workflow automation platform with an Agent Builder. Agents are distinct project artifacts and can be connected to workflows; cloud and self-hosted operation are available.

- Provider: n8n
- Product family: n8n
- Profile type: Workflow and agent platform
- Environment: Cloud or self-hosted
- Connections: Workflow nodes and tool connections
- Setup: Configure workflow, model, and connections
- Pricing model: Cloud plan or self-hosting + model

## Key features

### Agent Builder in the project

Agents are created as their own project artifacts alongside workflows and published with versioning.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Tools, skills and knowledge base

Configurable tools, reusable Skills, and a searchable knowledge base give the agent capabilities and context.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Session and episodic memory

Sessions retain the current conversation context; episodic memory can retrieve earlier sessions.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Web search

Web search uses a model's native search or a configured search service.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Approval before tool calls

Selected sensitive tools may require human approval before execution.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/integrate-ai/ai-examples/human-in-the-loop-for-tools.md

### Channels and schedules

Published agents are accessible through Slack, Telegram, or Linear and through recurring schedules.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Connect to workflows

Workflows can address agents; agents can delegate work to published subagents.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

## Requirements and limits

### Cloud version or self-hosting

Requirement: Agents are available in n8n Cloud with the current stable version; self-hosting requires additional setup and at least version 2.32.3.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Preview phase

Limitation: According to current documentation, Agents are in preview and can make mistakes; behavior may change during development.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Self-hosted enterprise instances

Limitation: According to the documentation, the agent feature is not yet available for self-hosted Enterprise.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Queue mode

Limitation: Queue mode is not yet supported for agents; n8n also notes possible errors with channel connections.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

### Self-hosted knowledge base

Requirement: Self-hosted knowledge bases are in preview and require a Daytona sandbox; episodic memory requires OpenAI credentials.

Source: https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

## Example workflows

### Prepare an incoming request

- Your input: Form event, classification rules, and approved storage
- Possible result: The workflow classifies the request and saves a proposed response.
- What to check: Work with test data and error paths; control storage access.

### Reply draft for approval

- Your input: Customer question, knowledge source, and email tool
- Possible result: The agent creates a draft; sending waits for human approval.
- What to check: Check recipients, facts, and message before sending.

## Context

Quality depends on the workflow, data, model, and approvals. Check integrations and usage limits before use.

n8n documentation reviewed. The AI Agent is a workflow component, not a standalone general desktop agent interface. Specific nodes, hosting options, and availability depend on the version and operating model.

## Sources

- https://n8n.io/ai-agents/

- https://docs.n8n.io/

- https://docs.n8n.io/build/build-and-manage-agents.md

- https://docs.n8n.io/build/integrate-ai/ai-examples/human-in-the-loop-for-tools.md

- https://docs.n8n.io/choose-how-to-use-n8n/

[Sources and method](https://agenten-kompass.mmeierhoff.chatgpt.site/en/sources/)