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Automate UniFi controller updates via SSH with Telegram notifications

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Automate UniFi controller updates via SSH with Telegram notifications preview
Open on n8n.io

Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

Automate UniFi Controller updates on self hosted instances. This workflow checks the official UniFi Debian repo for a fresh release in the last 24 hours and, if found, upgrades the package via SSH....

Best for

  • DevOps automation workflows
  • AI Summarization automation workflows
  • intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.scheduletrigger, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.ssh, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.openai, n8n-nodes-base.telegram, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Dominic Spatz.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Automate UniFi controller updates via SSH with Telegram notifications
Workflow name
Automate UniFi controller updates via SSH with Telegram notifications

Overview

Automate UniFi Controller updates on self-hosted instances. This workflow checks the official UniFi Debian repo for a fresh release in the last 24 hours and, if found, upgrades the unifi package via SSH. It can also summarize changes and ping you on Telegram. Sticky notes are included to guide setup.

How it works

  • Schedule runs daily (default 13:13).
  • HTTP Request fetches InRelease and parses Codename + Date.
  • IF gate continues only if the repo changed within 24h.
  • SSH runs:
    apt-get --allow-releaseinfo-change update
    apt-get upgrade -y unifi
    
  • (Optional) LLM creates a short summary → Telegram sends it.

Setup

  • Bind credentials: SSH (required), OpenAI (optional), Telegram (optional).
  • Set env var TELEGRAM_CHAT_ID for notifications.
  • Adjust the Schedule Trigger to your maintenance window.
  • Import inactive, test once, then activate.

Customize

  • Change the 24h freshness window in the Code node.
  • Swap Telegram for Slack/Email if preferred.
  • Add pre/post steps (backups, restarts) around the upgrade.

Safety

Test on a non-production controller first. No hardcoded secrets—uses n8n credentials and environment variables. If you want approval before upgrades, stop after the IF gate and notify only.

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - Schedule Trigger

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger - scheduleTrigger
Config choices
Version 1.2

Block 2 - HTTP Request

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 3 - Extract Codename + Date + Time Comparison

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Block 4 - If: Changed within 24h?

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2.2

Block 5 - Update package lists

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.ssh - ssh
Config choices
Version 1

Block 6 - Upgrade UniFi

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.ssh - ssh
Config choices
Version 1

Block 7 - Message a model

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.openAi - openAi
Config choices
Version 1.8

Block 8 - Notify via Telegram

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.telegram - telegram
Config choices
Version 1.2

Block 9 - Sticky Note: Trigger & Check

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 10 - Sticky Note: Upgrade

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 11 - Sticky Note: Notify

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

3. Summary Table

Workflow Automate UniFi controller updates via SSH with Telegram notifications
Complexity intermediate
Nodes 11
Categories DevOps, AI Summarization
Author Dominic Spatz
Published 15 Sept 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/8599/8599.json as the source template for this automation.

  2. 2. Import the template into n8n

    Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.

  3. 3. Configure credentials and variables

    Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.

  4. 4. Test with sample data

    Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.

  5. 5. Activate and monitor

    Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What does Automate UniFi controller updates via SSH with Telegram notifications do?

Automate UniFi Controller updates on self hosted instances. This workflow checks the official UniFi Debian repo for a fresh release in the last 24 hours and, if found, upgrades the package via SSH....

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your DevOps, AI Summarization use case.