n8n Workflow Automation

Name: managing-n8n
Rating: 87
Author: Veraticus

Workflow Authoring

Claude creates workflows as JSON files in n8n/workflows/. They sync to n8n on rebuild.

code

User describes intent → Claude creates JSON → `update` syncs to n8n → User tests in UI

If user modifies in UI and wants to reconcile:

bash

n8n-export <workflow-id>              # Export specific workflow
n8n-export all                        # Export all workflows
# Then copy from /tmp/n8n-export to nix-config/n8n/workflows/

Workflow JSON Structure

json

{
  "id": "unique-workflow-id",
  "name": "Workflow Name",
  "active": false,
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "node-uuid",
      "name": "Node Name",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
      "position": [250, 300],
      "parameters": {}
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Node Name": {
      "main": [[{"node": "Next Node", "type": "main", "index": 0}]]
    }
  }
}

Common Node Types

Node	Type String	Use
Webhook	`n8n-nodes-base.webhook`	HTTP trigger
Schedule	`n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger`	Cron trigger
HTTP Request	`n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest`	API calls
Code	`n8n-nodes-base.code`	JavaScript
AI Agent	`@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent`	LLM agent
Anthropic Chat	`@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmChatAnthropic`	Claude model

Deployment

•URL: https://n8n.husbuddies.gay
•Host: ultraviolet (NixOS)
•Workflows: n8n/workflows/*.json (git-tracked)
•Config: hosts/ultraviolet/services/n8n.nix

Service Commands

bash

systemctl status n8n.service           # Check status
journalctl -u n8n.service -f           # View logs
sudo systemctl restart n8n.service     # Restart (reimports workflows)

Backup & Restore

bash

n8n-restore list                       # List backups
n8n-restore latest                     # Restore from latest

Anthropic/AI Setup

Credentials MUST be configured via n8n UI - env vars don't work.

•Open https://n8n.husbuddies.gay
•Settings → Credentials → Add Credential → Anthropic
•Enter API key and save

Common Mistakes

Wrong	Right
Setting `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` env var	Configure in n8n UI → Credentials
Editing workflows only in UI	Create JSON in `n8n/workflows/`, run `update`
Expecting UI changes to persist	Export with `n8n-export` and commit to git
`docker exec n8n ...`	Direct systemctl (not containerized)

Directory Structure

code

nix-config/
└── n8n/workflows/          # Git-tracked workflow JSON files
    └── *.json              # Claude creates these

/var/lib/n8n/               # n8n database (synced from git on rebuild)
/mnt/backups/n8n/           # Daily backups to NAS