n8n Desk
n8n Desk is n8n's open-source desktop agent app, presented as a Claude Desktop-like interface that uses n8n as the action and execution layer rather than handing broad local code authority to the chat client [src-086].
Key facts
- Status: free/open-source desktop app discussed by n8n in May 2026 [src-086]
- Core idea: chat, co-work, and workflow-building modes backed by n8n workflows, credentials, logs, and integrations [src-086]
- Model choice: can use Anthropic, LangChain Deep Agents, and other model/harness options, including local models where configured [src-086]
- Security posture: credentials stay in n8n, workflows create an execution trail, and enterprise users can restrict which roles see workflow-building versus chat-only surfaces [src-086]
- Multi-instance support: designed to connect to one or more n8n instances rather than being tied to a single local project [src-086]
What it does
n8n Desk has three highlighted surfaces. The workflow agent builds or revises n8n workflows. Co-work mode binds the agent to local files and folders, then calls n8n workflows to enrich or transform them, such as reading a spreadsheet of companies, running research, and writing results back. Chat mode exposes existing n8n chat agents, such as a calendar assistant, to non-technical users [src-086].
The larger design claim is n8n as Agent Execution Layer: a desktop assistant can still feel agentic, but dangerous actions move through n8n's credential store, node-level execution logs, and workflow editor rather than arbitrary local code execution [src-086].
Related
- See also: n8n, n8n Chat Hub, n8n Instance-Level MCP
- Concepts: n8n as Agent Execution Layer, Agent Security Boundaries, Workflow Automation Fundamentals
Source references
- [src-086] n8n — "n8n Desk: The Open Source Claude Desktop That Runs on top of n8n's new MCP" (2026-05-11)