N8n Expression Syntax
Validate n8n expression syntax and fix common errors. Use when writing n8n expressions, using {{}} syntax, accessing $json/$node variables, troubleshooting expression errors, mapping data between nodes, or referencing webhook data in workflows. Use this skill whenever configuring node fields that reference data from previous nodes — expressions are how n8n passes data between nodes, and getting the syntax wrong is the most common source of workflow errors. Also use when asked whether a complex expression hurts performance.
Install
npx skills add czlonkowski/n8n-skills --skill n8n-expression-syntaxgit clone --depth 1 https://github.com/czlonkowski/n8n-skills.git /tmp/n8n-skills
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/n8n-skills/skills/n8n-expression-syntax ~/.claude/skills/n8n-expression-syntaxPersonal skills live in ~/.claude/skills. Use .claude/skills in a project folder to share a skill with your team.
From the SKILL.md
# n8n Expression Syntax
Expert guide for writing correct n8n expressions in workflows.
---
## Expression Format
All dynamic content in n8n uses **double curly braces**:
```
{{expression}}
```
**Examples**:
```
✅ {{$json.email}}
✅ {{$json.body.name}}
✅ {{$node["HTTP Request"].json.data}}
❌ $json.email (no braces - treated as literal text)
❌ {$json.email} (single braces - invalid)
```
---
## Core Variables
### $json - Current Node Output
Access data from the current node:
```javascript
{{$json.fieldName}}
{{$json['field with spaces']}}
{{$json.nested.property}}
{{$json.items[0].name}}
```
### $node - Reference Other Nodes
Access data from any previous node:
```javascript
{{$node["Node Name"].json.fieldName}}
{{$node["HTTP Request"].json.data}}
{{$node["Webhook"].json.body.email}}
```
**Important**:
- Node names **must** be in quotes
- Node names are **case-sensitive**
- Must match exact node name from workflow
### $now - Current Timestamp
Access current date/time:
```javascript
{{$now}}
{{$now.toFormat('yyyy-MM-dd')}}
{{$now.toFormat('HH:mm:ss')}}
{{$now.plus({days: 7})}}
```
### $env - Environment Variables
Access environment variables:
```javascript
{{$env.API_KEY}}
{{$env.DATABASE_URL}}
```
**Warning**: Some n8n instances have `N8N_BLOCK_ENV_ACCESS_IN_NODE` enabled, which blocks `$env` access entirely. If `$env` returns errors, use alternative approaches:
- Store values in credentials instead
- Use a Set node with manually entered valuesDetails
- Skill name
n8n-expression-syntax- Repository
- czlonkowski/n8n-skills
- Path
skills/n8n-expression-syntax/SKILL.md- License
- MIT
- Repo updated
- 24 October 2026
- Listed in
- VoltAgent/awesome-agent-skills
FAQ
What does the N8n Expression Syntax skill do?
Validate n8n expression syntax and fix common errors. Use when writing n8n expressions, using {{}} syntax, accessing $json/$node variables, troubleshooting expression errors, mapping data between nodes, or referencing webhook data in workflows. Use this skill whenever configuring node fields that reference data from previous nodes — expressions are how n8n passes data between nodes, and getting the syntax wrong is the most common source of workflow errors. Also use when asked whether a complex expression hurts performance.
How do I install the N8n Expression Syntax skill?
skills CLI (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and more): npx skills add czlonkowski/n8n-skills --skill n8n-expression-syntax. Skills go in ~/.claude/skills (personal) or .claude/skills (project), and Claude loads them automatically when a task matches the description.
Is N8n Expression Syntax popular?
It lives in czlonkowski/n8n-skills, which has 6,554 GitHub stars and 1,077 forks, and is included in 1 curated skill list.
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