Implementing MCP server and client nodes on VPS-Docker-Nginx

HI EVERYONE!

Looking for someone that can help me to fully configure my n8n instance that runs smoothly on a Hetzner VPS (Ubuntu), with Docker and Nginx.
My problem is whole configuration required for the community nodes “MCP Server Trigger” and “MCP Client Tool”.
I’m running n8n v1.94.1.

My goals are to set up:

  1. Loopback communication (workflow to workflow on the same n8n instance).
  2. My n8n instance as an MCP Server for external clients.
  3. My n8n instance as an MCP Client connecting to external MCP servers.

I would be extremely grateful for practical, step-by-step advice of the whole process especially from those who have already successfully configured these specific MCP nodes in a similar Docker/Nginx setup on a VPS. I’m keen to get this working without breaking my current stable instance.

Any pointers or shared experiences from users with this specific setup would be highly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

UP!!!
No answer from this community??? :sweat_smile:

Hey theres no answer as its not a simple fix!

Out of the box the n8n MCP Server node will not work over NGINX self hosted… the SSE route will fail so you wont see the MCP server listed..

Im also running Hetzner boxes with multiple live services/apps on the same VMS behind NGINX - the suggested fix is below but that may not work for you depending on your setup.

Also personally Im not going to disable gzip on my servers to get SSE to work with N8N…for a variety of reasons…

  • you must disable gzip and buffering globally to make SSE work properly.
  • This kills compression and could slow down your other API responses

The solution is a custom implementation/other mcp VM or using another MCP setup non n8n based on your overall services/setup…and that my friend is unlikely to be free..:wink: