401 Unauthorized with API Key on n8n Local REST API

Questions
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1

Hi n8n Support,

I am trying to use the n8n Local REST API at http://localhost:5678/rest/node-types with a freshly generated API key. I have confirmed:

  • The key is present, not expired, and has all required scopes.
  • I am using the correct header.
  • I have tested with both curl and Python, and both return 401 Unauthorized.
  • There are no extra spaces or line breaks in the key.
  • I am using the /rest/workflows endpoint, not /api.

Is there an additional step to activate the key, or could there be a backend/account issue? Please advise.

Thank you!

2

Hey @Saurav_Mittal hope all is well, welcome to the community.

Could you tell us a bit more about what you are trying to achieve, instead of what you are doing to achieve it? Show outputs, screenshots, explain which resources you use or guides you are following?

3
  • I am trying to create a workflow which takes a PDF and/or media as input and then creates a workflow as an output. This would enable me to ingest all my PDFs/media and create automations for all of them
  • My approach so far is to create an AI agent node which takes a text input of the SOP (haven’t gotten to ingesting PDFs/media yet) which triggers http node (POST /api/v1/workflows) to create workflows
  • The agent is able to understand the SOP but is struggling to create the nodes since it is not aware of nodes available
  • The purpose to make /rest/node-types GET api work is to feed the response to this AI agent so it can make informed decisions and also output the correct workflow JSON. I have attached the workflow
  • I am following the official documentation of n8n

Please let me know if this approach is the most optimal way or is there a better way. I was able to get all the nodes from GET /types/nodes.json but the response is around 30-40mbs large

Screenshot 2025-07-06 at 1.12.45 AM
Screenshot 2025-07-06 at 1.12.45 AM3820×1614 389 KB

4

Hi @Saurav_Mittal!
You can use Webhook Trigger instead of Chat Trigger

You can do customize the input like the text that you want to send to AI Agents, send PDF and many more!
You only need some adjustments with the nodes.

Lemme know if it helps!

5

@cutecatcode this would still not solve the issue of downstream n8n node needing the correct JSON to trigger new workflow creation. Hope that clarifies it!

6

ain’t got what u mean

7

@cutecatcode For now I want the AI agent to create workflows with any triggers (be it webhook or chat). In any case, once the agent gets the requirements for the workflows, I would want it to create a workflow for me, need help with creating that agent node

Example for SOP requirement:
When a new employee form is submitted (via Google Forms), trigger onboarding. Automatically add the new employee data into Google Sheets. Then send a welcome email to the new employee (Gmail). Then notify the HR Slack channel with employee details

Expected workflow that agent should create:
Google form → Google sheet → Gmail → Slack

8

@jabbson you have any idea about this?