Search the Web with MCP-based Brave Search Engine on Telegram

This workflow enables users to perform web searches directly from Telegram using the Brave search engine. By simply sending the command /brave followed by a query, the workflow retrieves search results from Brave and returns them as a Telegram message.

This workflow is ideal for users who want a quick and private way to search the web without switching between apps. 🚀

This workflow is a powerful tool for automating interactions with Brave tools through Telegram, providing users with quick and easy access to information directly in their chat.

Below is a breakdown of the workflow:

1. How It Works

The workflow is designed to process user queries from Telegram, execute a Brave tool via the MCP Client, and send the results back to the user. Here's how it works:

1. Telegram Trigger:

   • The workflow starts with the Telegram Trigger node, which listens for new messages in a Telegram chat.
   • When a message is received, the workflow checks if it starts with the command /brave.

2. Filter Messages:

   • The If node filters messages that start with /brave. If the message doesn't start with /brave, the workflow stops.

3. Edit Fields:

   • The Edit Fields node extracts the text of the message for further processing.

4. Clean Query:

   • The Clean Query node removes the /brave command from the message, leaving only the user's query.

5. List Brave Tools:

   • The List Brave Tools node retrieves the list of available tools from the MCP Client.

6. Execute Brave Tool:

   • The Exec Brave Tool node executes the first tool in the list using the cleaned query as input.

7. Send Message:

   • The Send Message node sends the result of the Brave tool execution back to the user in the Telegram chat.

2. Preliminary Steps

• Access to an n8n self-hosted instance and install the Community node "n8n-nodes-mcp". Please see this easy guide
• Get your Brave Search API Key: https://brave.com/search/api/
• Telegram Bot Access Token

In "List Brave Tools" create new credential as shown in this image

In Environment field set this value:
BRAVE_API_KEY=your-api-key

3. Set Up Steps

To set up and use this workflow in n8n, follow these steps:

1. Telegram Configuration:

   • Set up Telegram credentials in n8n for the Telegram Trigger and Send Message nodes.
   • Ensure the Telegram bot is authorized to read messages and send responses in the chat.

2. MCP Client Configuration:

   • Set up MCP Client credentials in n8n for the List Brave Tools and Exec Brave Tool nodes.
   • Ensure the MCP Client is configured to interact with Brave tools.

3. Test the Workflow:

   • Send a message starting with /brave followed by a query (e.g., /brave search for AI tools) to the Telegram chat.
   • The workflow will:
     • Process the query.
     • Execute the Brave tool via the MCP Client.
     • Send the result back to the Telegram chat.

4. Optional Customization:

   • Modify the workflow to include additional features, such as:
     • Adding more commands or tools.
     • Integrating with other APIs or services for advanced use cases.
     • Sending notifications via other channels (e.g., email, Slack).