Usually when I’m added to a workspace even with the default member role, I’m seeing this n8n API in the settings where I can create an API key that I can then use to connect to thr workspace. I use this for example to transfer workflows between accounts without breaking the subflow dependencies.
Today I was added to a workspace and I do not have this option. Does anyone know if there was a change in this or they have disabled something? If so what setting it is?
Thanks in advance!
Information on your n8n setup
- n8n version: 2.6.3
- Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app): Cloud
Hey @Milan_AutomableAI
This isn’t a role or permission thing on your side. When the n8n API section is completely missing from Settings, it’s almost always because the API itself isn’t available for that workspace.
Since I’m not sure on which type of n8n you are using the cloud or self hosted from my perspective there could be two common reasons this happens:
First, n8n free plan or trial status.
On n8n Cloud, the public API isn’t available during the free trial. If the workspace you were added to is still on trial, the entire “n8n API” section just doesn’t show up at all, even for normal members. Once the workspace moves to a paid plan, it appears again.
Second, API disabled at the instance level.
On self-hosted (and some enterprise setups), the owner or admin can completely disable the public API using an environment variable:
“N8N_PUBLIC_API_DISABLED=true”
(You can check the env variables if it’s self hosted)
When that’s set, API keys are disabled and the UI entry disappears, which matches exactly what you’re seeing.
So if you don’t see Settings → n8n API at all, it usually means:
the workspace is on a free trial, or the instance owner has explicitly disabled the public API.
Best next step is to ask the workspace owner/admin to check:
whether the workspace is still on a trial, and whether N8N_PUBLIC_API_DISABLED is set on their deployment.
Once either of those is resolved, the API key option should show up again like you’re used to.
let me know if this helps you.
Hi @Milan_AutomableAI ask the workspace owner to upgrade the plan and also the n8n cloud API is not available in 14day trial , just upgrade the plan and you will be able to see it. Hope this helps. You can also self host n8n and use API without any cloud fees.
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Ah, yes of course, they just made the account and it’s a trial one. I did not think of that. Thank you both for the help! 
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