How can I overcome Neo4j AuraDB’s REST API restrictions for n8n Cloud integration?

Based on your description and the error messages you’re receiving, the REST API for Neo4j AuraDB is very likely restricted by administrative rules (which lead to the 403 error) and isn’t intended for direct HTTP access in production environments. This is consistent with the fact that AuraDB is optimized for Bolt connections for enhanced security and performance.

Given that n8n Cloud does not allow installing additional node libraries (such as the official neo4j-driver), you have two main options:

1. Set Up a Proxy Service:
   Create an intermediary service that accepts HTTP requests from your n8n workflow and then converts those into Bolt queries. This proxy would handle the Bolt connection to AuraDB and return the results to n8n via HTTP. This design lets you keep using the HTTP Request node in n8n while bypassing AuraDB’s REST API limitations.

2. Self-Host n8n:
   If you self-host n8n, you can install and use the official neo4j-driver – for example, in a Code node or a custom node – to connect via Bolt directly to AuraDB without having to rely on REST endpoints. This approach gives you full flexibility and control over the connection process.

There isn’t a configuration in AuraDB to “enable” REST access for direct HTTP calls, so these workarounds are generally the best practices for integrating AuraDB with no-code/low-code platforms like n8n when using non-Bolt connections.

In summary, if you’re bound to n8n Cloud, setting up a proxy service is your most viable option. Otherwise, self-hosting n8n would allow you to leverage the official Neo4j drivers for direct Bolt connectivity.

Below is an explanation and some workarounds for your situation.

What’s Happening

Neo4j AuraDB is primarily optimized for Bolt connections. When you try sending REST API calls (for example, using an HTTP Request node in n8n) you’re likely to run into errors such as a 403 Forbidden saying “Denied by administrative rules.” This is an enforced security measure on Aura instances. The 400 Bad Request error in n8n further indicates that the data being sent isn’t being accepted by the API endpoint.

Why REST Access Is Challenging

Because AuraDB prioritizes Bolt connections, REST calls (even if properly formatted) may be blocked by its administrative rules. n8n Cloud, by design, does not support installing additional libraries such as Neo4j’s official driver, leaving you without direct Bolt support in that environment.

Recommended Workarounds

Given these constraints, here are two primary options:

1. Proxy Service to Bridge HTTP to Bolt
   Set up an intermediate proxy service that accepts HTTP requests and translates them into Bolt protocol calls to your Neo4j AuraDB instance. This proxy would then handle the authentication and translation and return the results to n8n via HTTP. This way, your n8n Cloud workflow communicates solely via HTTP while the proxy handles Bolt connectivity.

2. Self-host n8n
   By self-hosting n8n you gain the freedom to install additional libraries. You can then use a Code node or a custom node along with the official Neo4j driver to connect over Bolt directly. This avoids the limitations imposed by the REST API on AuraDB.

Best Practice Considerations

• Security & Maintenance:
  Using a proxy service means you need to secure that proxy appropriately because it will be handling sensitive connections and credentials. In contrast, self-hosting n8n gives you full control but adds operational overhead.

• Performance:
  Direct Bolt connectivity usually offers more efficient communication with Neo4j than going through a proxy that converts HTTP to Bolt, so if performance is critical, self-hosting might be the better option.

• Flexibility:
  If you plan on integrating with several systems and need straightforward HTTP configurations, using a proxy might allow you to keep the simplicity of HTTP in n8n workflows without a major reconfiguration.

Conclusion

There isn’t a native configuration in Neo4j AuraDB to “enable” REST access that bypasses its built-in administrative rules. As such, to use n8n Cloud directly with AuraDB, you’ll need to work around this limitation via a proxy service or opt for self-hosting to directly leverage Bolt connectivity using the official Neo4j driver.

This approach aligns with best practices for integrating systems—ensuring you use supported connection types while maintaining the security and performance of your database.