# MCP server with OpenAI: n8n workflow template

> Started by an event in a connected app. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/mcp-server-with-openai (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Setup and learning](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Setup+and+learning#library)

# MCP server with OpenAI

Started by an event in a connected app. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 8 steps: small enough to read in one sitting and change without fear.

Small Calls a model: OpenAI Retrieval

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fmcp-server-with-openai)

**8 steps** Small: readable in one sitting

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**0** Services by connector: it calls them over plain HTTP

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 5 Logic 1

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **When Executed by Another Workflow** Execute Workflow trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Simple Memory** Memory Buffer Window *Model*
- 3 **OpenAI Chat Model** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 4 **Github Agent** Tool Workflow *Model*
- 5 **Github API** Mcp Client Tool *Model*
- 6 **Set Github Username** Set *Logic*
- 7 **Github AI Agent** Agent *Model*
- 8 **MCP Server Trigger** Mcp trigger *Starts it*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** An event in a connected app
- **Steps:** 8
- **Size:** Small: readable in one sitting
- **Connects to:** Nothing by connector; it calls services over plain HTTP
- **Model:** OpenAI
- **Retrieval:** Answers are drawn from documents you supply, not from the model alone

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on an event in a connected app.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Its answers draw on documents you give it, not on the model alone. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Not long. At 8 steps it can be read in one sitting and changed without fear.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 8 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fmcp-server-with-openai)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Workflows like it

Also setup and learning, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Automate weekly tutorials from trending GitHub repos** 8 steps · calls a model · Email, WordPress](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-weekly-tutorials-from-trending-github-repos)
- [**Intelligent web & local search with Brave Search API** 8 steps · calls a model](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/intelligent-web-and-local-search-with-brave-search-api)
- [**AI agents can retrieve assetts with Contentful** 8 steps](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-agents-can-retrieve-assetts-with-contentful)
- [**Allow AI agents to access User & Workitem operations - Kitemaker** 8 steps](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/allow-ai-agents-to-access-user-and-workitem-operations-kitem)
- [**EBay finances data access for AI agents with MCP** 8 steps](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ebay-finances-data-access-for-ai-agents-with-mcp)
- [**Google Cloud Firestore tool MCP server all 7 operations** 8 steps](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/google-cloud-firestore-tool-mcp-server-all-7-operations)