Strategic automation architecture advisor. Use when users want to plan automation solutions, evaluate their tech stack (Shopify, Zoho, HubSpot, etc.), decide between n8n vs Python/Claude Code, or need guidance on production-ready automation design. Invokes plan mode for complex architectural decisions.
apm install @alexadark/n8n-workflow-architect---
name: n8n-workflow-architect
description: Strategic automation architecture advisor. Use when users want to plan automation solutions, evaluate their tech stack (Shopify, Zoho, HubSpot, etc.), decide between n8n vs Python/Claude Code, or need guidance on production-ready automation design. Invokes plan mode for complex architectural decisions.
---
# n8n Workflow Architect
The Intelligent Automation Architect (IAA) - Strategic guidance for building automation systems that survive production.
---
## When to Use This Skill
Invoke this skill when users:
1. **Want to plan an automation project** - "I need to automate my sales pipeline"
2. **Have multiple services to integrate** - "I use Shopify, Klaviyo, and Notion"
3. **Need architecture decisions** - "Should I use n8n or Python for this?"
4. **Are evaluating feasibility** - "Can I automate X with my current stack?"
5. **Want production-ready guidance** - "How do I make this reliable?"
---
## The Core Philosophy
> **Viability over Possibility**
The gap between what's technically possible and what's actually viable in production is enormous. This skill helps users build systems that:
- Won't break at 3 AM on a Saturday
- Don't require a PhD to maintain
- Respect data security, scale, and state management
- Deliver actual business value, not just technical cleverness
---
## Architecture Decision Framework
### Step 1: Stack Analysis
When a user mentions their tools, evaluate each for:
| Tool Category | Common Examples | n8n Native Support | Auth Complexity |
|---------------|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| E-commerce | Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce | Yes | OAuth |
| CRM | HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho CRM | Yes | OAuth |
| Marketing | Klaviyo, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign | Yes | API Key/OAuth |
| Productivity | Notion, Airtable, Google Sheets | Yes | OAuth |
| Communication | Slack, Discord, Teams | Yes | OAuth |
| Payments | Stripe, PayPal, Square | Yes | API Key |
| Support | Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk | Yes | API Key/OAuth |
**Action**: Use `search_nodes` from n8n MCP to verify node availability.
### Step 2: Tool Selection Matrix
Apply these decision rules:
#### Use n8n When:
| Condition | Why |
|-----------|-----|
| OAuth authentication required | n8n manages token lifecycle automatically |
| Non-technical maintainers | Visual workflows are self-documenting |
| Multi-day processes with waits | Built-in Wait node handles suspension |
| Standard SaaS integrations | Pre-built nodes eliminate boilerplate |
| < 5,000 records per execution | Within memory limits |
| < 20 nodes of business logic | Maintains visual clarity |
#### Use Python/Claude Code When:
| Condition | Why |
|-----------|-----|
| > 5,000 records to process | Stream processing, memory management |
| > 20MB files | Chunked processing capabilities |
| Complex algorithms | Code is more maintainable than 50+ nodes |
| Cutting-edge AI libraries | Access to latest packages |
| Heavy data transformation | Pandas, NumPy optimization |
| Custom ML models | Full Python ecosystem access |
#### Use Hybrid (Recommended for Complex Systems):
```
n8n (Orchestration Layer)
├── Webhooks & triggers
├── OAuth authentication
├── User-facing integrations
├── Flow coordination
│
└── Calls Python Service (Processing Layer)
├── Heavy computation
├── Complex logic
├── AI/ML operations
└── Returns results to n8n
```
---
## Business Stack Quick Assessment
When user describes their stack, respond with this analysis:
### Template Response:
```markdown
## Stack Analysis: [User's Business Type]
### Services Identified:
1. **[Service 1]** - [Category] - n8n Support: [Yes/Partial/No]
2. **[Service 2]** - [Category] - n8n Support: [Yes/Partial/No]
...
### Recommended Approach: [n8n / Python / Hybrid]
**Rationale:**
- [Key decision factor 1]
- [Key decision factor 2]
- [Key decision factor 3]
### Integration Complexity: [Low/Medium/High]
- Auth complexity: [Simple API keys / OAuth required]
- Data volume: [Estimate based on use case]
- Processing needs: [Simple transforms / Complex logic]
### Next Steps:
1. [Specific action using other n8n skills]
2. [Pattern to follow from n8n-workflow-patterns]
3. [Validation approach from n8n-validation-expert]
```
---
## Common Business Scenarios
### Scenario 1: E-commerce Automation
**Stack**: Shopify + Klaviyo + Slack + Google Sheets
**Verdict**: Pure n8n
- All services have native nodes
- OAuth handled automatically
- Standard webhook patterns
- Use: `n8n-workflow-patterns` → webhook_processing
### Scenario 2: AI-Powered Lead Qualification
**Stack**: Typeform + HubSpot + OpenAI + Custom Scoring
**Verdict**: Hybrid
- n8n: Typeform webhook, HubSpot sync, notifications
- Python/Code Node: Complex scoring algorithm, AI prompts
- Use: `n8n-workflow-patterns` → ai_agent_workflow
### Scenario 3: Data Pipeline / ETL
**Stack**: PostgreSQL + BigQuery + 50k+ daily records
**Verdict**: Python with n8n Trigger
- n8n: Schedule trigger, success/failure notifications
- Python: Batch processing, streaming, transformations
- Reason: Memory limits in n8n for large datasets
### Scenario 4: Multi-Step Approval Workflow
**Stack**: Slack + Notion + Email + 3-day wait periods
**Verdict**: Pure n8n
- Built-in Wait node for delays
- Native Slack/Notion integrations
- Human approval patterns built-in
- Use: `n8n-workflow-patterns` → scheduled_tasks
---
## Production Readiness Checklist
Before any automation goes live, verify:
### Observability
- [ ] Error notification workflow exists
- [ ] Execution logging to database
- [ ] Health check workflow for critical paths
- [ ] Structured alerting by severity
### Idempotency
- [ ] Duplicate webhook handling
- [ ] Check-before-create patterns
- [ ] Idempotency keys for payments
- [ ] Safe re-run capability
### Cost Awareness
- [ ] AI API costs calculated and approved
- [ ] Rate limits documented
- [ ] Caching strategy for repeated calls
- [ ] Model right-sizing (Haiku vs Sonnet vs Opus)
### Operational Control
- [ ] Kill switch accessible to non-technical staff
- [ ] Approval queues for high-stakes actions
- [ ] Audit trail for all actions
- [ ] Configuration externalized
Use `n8n-validation-expert` skill to validate workflows before deployment.
---
## Integration with Other n8n Skills
This skill works as the **planning layer** that coordinates other skills:
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ n8n-workflow-architect │
│ (Strategic Decisions & Planning) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
┌────────────────────┼────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
│ n8n-workflow- │ │ n8n-node- │ │ n8n-validation- │
│ patterns │ │ configuration │ │ expert │
│ (Architecture) │ │ (Node Setup) │ │ (Quality) │
└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
│ │ │
└────────────────────┼────────────────────┘
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ n8n MCP Tools │
│ (search_nodes, validate_workflow, create_workflow, etc.) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
### Skill Handoff Guide:
| After Architect Decides... | Hand Off To |
|---------------------------|-------------|
| Pattern type identified | `n8n-workflow-patterns` for detailed structure |
| Specific nodes needed | `n8n-node-configuration` for setup |
| Code node required | `n8n-code-javascript` or `n8n-code-python` |
| Expressions needed | `n8n-expression-syntax` for correct syntax |
| Ready to validate | `n8n-validation-expert` for pre-deploy checks |
| Need node info | n8n MCP → `get_node_essentials`, `search_nodes` |
---
## Plan Mode Activation
For complex architectural decisions, enter plan mode to:
1. **Analyze the full business context**
2. **Evaluate all integration points**
3. **Design the data flow architecture**
4. **Identify failure modes and mitigations**
5. **Create implementation roadmap**
### Trigger Plan Mode When:
- User has 3+ services to integrate
- Unclear whether n8n or Python is better
- High-stakes automation (payments, customer data)
- Complex multi-step processes
- AI/ML components involved
### Plan Mode Output Structure:
```markdown
## Automation Architecture Plan
### 1. Business Context
[What problem are we solving?]
### 2. Stack Analysis
[Each service, its role, integration complexity]
### 3. Recommended Architecture
[n8n / Python / Hybrid with rationale]
### 4. Data Flow Design
[Visual representation of the flow]
### 5. Implementation Phases
Phase 1: [Core workflow]
Phase 2: [Error handling & observability]
Phase 3: [Optimization & scaling]
### 6. Risk Assessment
[What could go wrong, how we prevent it]
### 7. Maintenance Plan
[Who maintains, what skills needed]
```
---
## Quick Decision Tree
```
START: User wants to automate something
│
├─► Does it involve OAuth? ────────────────────► Use n8n
│
├─► Will non-developers maintain it? ──────────► Use n8n
│
├─► Does it need to wait days/weeks? ──────────► Use n8n
│
├─► Processing > 5000 records? ────────────────► Use Python
│
├─► Files > 20MB? ─────────────────────────────► Use Python
│
├─► Cutting-edge AI/ML? ───────────────────────► Use Python
│
├─► Complex algorithm (would need 20+ nodes)? ─► Use Python
│
└─► Mix of above? ─────────────────────────────► Use Hybrid
```
---
## MCP Tool Integration
Use these n8n MCP tools during architecture planning:
| Planning Phase | MCP Tools to Use |
|----------------|------------------|
| Stack analysis | `search_nodes` - verify node availability |
| Pattern selection | `list_node_templates` - find similar workflows |
| Feasibility check | `get_node_essentials` - understand capabilities |
| Complexity estimate | `get_node_documentation` - auth & config needs |
| Template reference | `get_template` - study existing patterns |
---
## Red Flags to Watch For
Warn users when you see these patterns:
| Red Flag | Risk | Recommendation |
|----------|------|----------------|
| "I want AI to do everything" | Cost explosion, unpredictability | Scope AI to specific tasks, cache results |
| "It needs to process millions of rows" | Memory crashes | Python with streaming, not n8n loops |
| "The workflow has 50 nodes" | Unmaintainable | Consolidate to code blocks or split workflows |
| "We'll add error handling later" | Silent failures | Build error handling from day one |
| "It should work on any input" | Fragile system | Define and validate expected inputs |
| "The intern will maintain it" | Single point of failure | Use n8n for visual clarity, document thoroughly |
---
## Summary
**This skill answers**: "Given my business stack and requirements, what's the smartest way to build this automation?"
**Key outputs**:
1. Stack compatibility analysis
2. n8n vs Python vs Hybrid recommendation
3. Pattern and skill handoffs
4. Production readiness guidance
5. Implementation roadmap via plan mode
**Works with**:
- All n8n-* skills for implementation details
- n8n MCP tools for node discovery and workflow creation
- Plan mode for complex architectural decisions
---
## Related Files
- [tool-selection-matrix.md](tool-selection-matrix.md) - Detailed decision criteria
- [business-stack-analysis.md](business-stack-analysis.md) - Common SaaS integration guides
- [production-readiness.md](production-readiness.md) - Pre-launch checklist details