To launch a Phantom from n8n, add the PhantomBuster node to your n8n workflow, select "Add an agent to the launch queue," choose the Phantom you want to trigger, and paste its JSON input from the Phantom's setup screen in PhantomBuster. This lets you automate lead generation or outreach tasks as part of a larger n8n workflow.
Before you start
- Make sure the Phantom you want to launch is already created and set up in your PhantomBuster workspace.
- From n8n, you’ll be triggering an existing Phantom and passing it input data, you won’t create or configure the Phantom itself from inside n8n.
Workflows, like the LinkedIn Search to Lead Connection, can't currently be launched via API or n8n.
Step 1: Open or create a new workflow in n8n
- Open n8n and log into your account.
- From your dashboard, open an existing workflow or click New Workflow to start from scratch.
Step 2: Add the PhantomBuster node
- Click the plus (+) icon, and in the search bar, type PhantomBuster and select it from the list.
Step 3: Choose the “Add an agent to the launch queue” action
In the Action dropdown of the PhantomBuster node, you'll see a list of available actions:
- Delete an agent
- Get an agent
- Get many agents
- Get the output of an agent
- Add an agent to the launch queue
For our example, we'll select Add an agent to the launch queue, this is the action that launches your Phantom.
In PhantomBuster’s API, “agent” means Phantom. So when you see “agent” in n8n, it refers to a Phantom you’ve created in your PhantomBuster workspace.
Step 4: Configure the node to launch your Phantom
In the PhantomBuster node parameters, make the following selections to define how your Phantom will run:
- From the Credentials to connect dropdown, choose your connected PhantomBuster account.
- Set Resource to Agent.
- Set Operation to Launch: this action will trigger your Phantom.
Next, choose the Phantom you want to launch:
- Use the Agent Name or ID dropdown to select the Phantom. For our example, we'll select a LinkedIn Profile Scraper Phantom.
→ This list will include all Phantoms that are already set up in your PhantomBuster workspace.
To pass custom inputs to your Phantom:
- Toggle on JSON Parameters
- Click Add Field and choose Arguments JSON.
- This will open a text field where you’ll paste the input data from your Phantom’s setup (covered in the next step).
Step 5: Get your Phantom’s input as JSON
To generate the correct input for your Phantom:
- Go to your selected Phantom in your PhantomBuster dashboard.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the Phantom and select Setup.
- In the setup screen, click the three dots in the top-right of the input section, and Select Switch to JSON.
- Copy the entire JSON structure shown: this contains the input data required to launch your Phantom.
This JSON will include any preconfigured input fields (like URLs, session cookies, or text prompts) from your Phantom setup.
Step 6: Paste the JSON into n8n and launch your Phantom
- Copy the JSON configuration you retrieved from your PhantomBuster setup.
- In n8n, paste it into the Arguments JSON field.
- (Optional) Modify any values in the JSON, such as profile lists or custom options, before running.
- Click Execute step to launch your Phantom from within n8n. Your Phantom will now run using the exact configuration you provided.
Step 7: Monitor the Phantom from your dashboard
- Go to your selected Phantom in your PhantomBuster dashboard. You’ll see it running just as if it were launched manually.
- You can track progress, view results, or chain it with other Phantoms.
Troubleshoot launch issues
If your Phantom doesn’t launch or fails to run when using the PhantomBuster Integration node in n8n, here are the most common issues and how to fix them.
If you’re trying to launch a Workflow
Workflows are designed to automatically relaunch based on their internal setup.
If activated, they’ll trigger themselves; if deactivated, they won’t start or pass data to the next step.
Because of this, Workflows can’t be launched through API or n8n.
To achieve a similar result via n8n, we recommend chaining single Phantoms instead, for example:
You can launch each one separately within the same n8n workflow.
→ Copy each Phantom’s input as JSON from its setup screen and use it to configure your n8n launch node.
Fixing the “Missing cookie” error in n8n
If you see a “Missing cookie” error, this comes from how n8n handles empty fields. Even when left blank, n8n includes those fields in the request body as empty values. This overrides the session cookie stored in your Phantom’s setup and causes the error.
Because this behavior comes from n8n’s side, it isn’t something PhantomBuster can fix directly.
We recommend:
- Workaround: Use the HTTP Request method to launch your Phantom instead of the PhantomBuster Integration node.
- Escalation: Contact n8n’s support team and share this explanation so they can adjust how their Launch Agent handles requests.
Other common errors
- Invalid API credentials: Make sure your PhantomBuster account is correctly connected in n8n under Credentials.
- Incorrect JSON input: Double-check that the Arguments JSON you pasted matches your Phantom’s expected input structure.
- Expired session cookie or user agent: Verify your session cookie and user agent are still active and correct.
- Phantom configuration issue: Launch the Phantom manually in your PhantomBuster dashboard to confirm it runs correctly outside of n8n.
If the error keeps happening, get in touch with our Customer Care Team.
Watch the video tutorial
Frequently asked questions
Can I launch a Workflow from n8n?
No. PhantomBuster Workflows can't be launched via API or n8n. To achieve a similar result, chain individual Phantoms within your n8n workflow instead.
What does "agent" mean in the n8n PhantomBuster node?
In PhantomBuster's API, "agent" is the technical name for a Phantom. When you see "agent" in n8n, it refers to a Phantom in your PhantomBuster Workspace.
How do I fix the "Missing cookie" error in n8n?
This happens because n8n sends empty fields that override your Phantom's stored session cookie. Use the HTTP Request method to launch your Phantom instead of the PhantomBuster Integration node.
Where do I get the JSON input for my Phantom?
Go to your Phantom's setup in PhantomBuster, click the three dots in the top-right of the input section, select "Switch to JSON," and copy the full JSON structure.