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Automated n8n workflow backup to GitHub with deletion tracking

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Automated n8n workflow backup to GitHub with deletion tracking preview
Open on n8n.io

Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Remixed Backup your workflows to GitHub from Solomon's work. Check out his templates. How it wo...

Best for

  • DevOps automation workflows
  • advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.noop, n8n-nodes-base.github, n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Automated n8n workflow backup to GitHub with deletion tracking
Workflow name
Automated n8n workflow backup to GitHub with deletion tracking

Remixed Backup your workflows to GitHub from Solomon's work. Check out his templates.

How it works

This workflow will backup your workflows to GitHub. It uses the n8n API node to export all workflows.

It then loops over the data, checks in GitHub to see if a file exists that uses the credential's ID. Once checked it will:

  • update the file on GitHub if it exists;
  • create a new file if it doesn't exist;
  • ignore if it's the same.

In addition, it also checks if any workflows have been deleted from n8n. If a workflow no longer exists in n8n, the corresponding file will be removed from the repository to keep everything in sync.

Who is this for?

People wanting to backup their workflows outside the server for safety purposes or to migrate to another server.

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 - On clicking 'execute'

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

Block 2 - Return

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 3.3

Block 3 - Get File

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

Block 4 - If file too large

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

Block 5 - isDiffOrNew

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

Block 6 - Same file - Do nothing

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

Block 7 - File is different

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

Block 8 - File is new

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

Block 9 - Create new file

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

Block 10 - Edit existing file

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

Block 11 - Loop Over Items

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches - splitInBatches
Config choices
Version 3

Block 12 - Schedule Trigger

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

Block 13 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 14 - Get file data

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

Block 15 - Execute Workflow Trigger

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflowTrigger - executeWorkflowTrigger
Config choices
Version 1.1

Block 16 - Execute Workflow

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

Block 17 - Globals

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 3.4

Block 18 - List files

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.github - github
Config choices
Version 1.1

Block 19 - Switch

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.switch - switch
Config choices
Version 3.2

Block 20 - Get many workflows

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

Block 21 - Workflows

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

Block 22 - Merge

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 3.2

Block 23 - Check Status

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.switch - switch
Config choices
Version 3.2

Block 24 - isDeleted

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

Showing the first 24 of 31 workflow blocks. Download the JSON for the full node graph.

3. Summary Table

Workflow Automated n8n workflow backup to GitHub with deletion tracking
Complexity advanced
Nodes 31
Categories DevOps
Author Marcial Ambriz
Published 12 Jul 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/5898/5898.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 Automated n8n workflow backup to GitHub with deletion tracking do?

Remixed Backup your workflows to GitHub from Solomon's work. Check out his templates. How it wo...

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 use case.