How to Create an MCP Server with Claude and n8n

Can you imagine querying your customer data stored in Google Sheets directly from Claude without constantly switching tabs? With the MCP (Model Context Protocol) and n8n, you can build a bridge that connects these two tools and fully automate your business information management.
In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step by step on how to implement this solution that will revolutionize your AI workflow.

What is MCP and Why Is It So Powerful?

The Model Context Protocol is an open standard that allows language models like Claude to securely and structurally access external data sources. It’s like creating a direct bridge between your AI and your data, eliminating the need to copy and paste information manually.
The main advantage is that you can keep your data up to date in real time and access it from any conversation with Claude, creating a truly personalized assistant for your business.

Initial MCP Server Setup in n8n

Create the Base Workflow

To get started, you’ll need to have n8n installed and running. Once inside the platform, create a new workflow and add the MCP Server Trigger node. This will be the heart of your server.

Connect to Google Sheets

Connect the MCP trigger to a Google Sheets node where you’ll specify:

• The document containing your customer table
• The columns you want to make available to Claude
• The necessary read permissions

Make sure your spreadsheet is well-structured with clear headers like "Name", "Email", "Phone", "Status", etc. This will make future queries easier.

Configure Available Tools

The Google Sheets node will act as a “tool” that Claude can use. Set up the available actions:

• Search for customers by name or email
• List customers by status
• Update specific information
• Create new records

Connect Claude Desktop to Your MCP Server

Installation and Setup

Download Claude Desktop from Anthropic’s official website. Once installed, you’ll need to edit the configuration file to add your custom MCP server.

Edit the Configuration File

Navigate to the claude_desktop_config.json file and add the following configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-clients": {
      "command": "supergateway",
      "args": [
        "--sse",
        "[YOUR_N8N_MCP_LINK]"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Replace [YOUR_N8N_MCP_LINK] with the URL provided by n8n once you activate your workflow.

Enable Tools in Claude

After restarting Claude Desktop, your new connection to Google Sheets will appear in the tools section. You can enable or disable it as needed for each conversation.

Create a Complete AI Agent Workflow

Configure MCP Client in n8n

For more advanced cases where you want other chatbots or agents to access this information, you can create an MCP Client node in n8n:

• Add the MCP Client node to your workflow

• Configure it with your MCP server’s production URL

• Connect it as a tool to your custom AI agent

Practical Use Cases

With this setup, you can:

• Automated customer support: Claude can instantly access a customer’s history

• Lead management: Update prospecting statuses directly from the conversation

• Dynamic reports: Generate reports on your client base in real time

• Personalized follow-up: Create reminders and tasks based on customer data

Optimization and Best Practices

Data Security

Always configure the minimum required permissions in Google Sheets. If you only need to query data, don’t grant write access. Use specific service accounts for this purpose.

Performance

For spreadsheets with a lot of data, consider implementing filters and query limits. This will prevent Claude from responding too slowly or timing out.

Maintenance

Periodically review the structure of your data and update the MCP server configuration if you add new columns or change the organization of your information.

Common Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

If Claude can’t access your data, check:

• The MCP server URL is correct

• The n8n workflow is active

• Google Sheets permissions are properly set

Slow Responses

Optimize your queries by limiting results and using proper indexing in your spreadsheets.