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Back up your n8n workflows to Github

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Back up your n8n workflows to Github preview
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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

This workflow will backup your workflows to Github. It uses the public api to export all of the workflow data using the n8n node. It then loops over the data checks in Github to see if a file exist...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.executeworkflowtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.n8n, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.merge

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Back up your n8n workflows to Github
Workflow name
Back up your n8n workflows to Github

This workflow will backup your workflows to Github. It uses the public api to export all of the workflow data using the n8n node.

It then loops over the data checks in Github to see if a file exists that uses the workflow name. Once checked it will then update the file on Github if it exists, Create a new file if it doesn't exist and if it's the same it will ignore the file.

Config Options

repo_owner - Github owner

repo_name - Github repository name

repo_path - Path within the Github repository

>This workflow has been updated to use the n8n node and the code node so requires at least version 0.198.0 of n8n

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 - Sticky Note

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

Block 3 - Execute Workflow Trigger

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

Block 4 - n8n

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

Block 5 - Return

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

Block 6 - Get File

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

Block 7 - If file too large

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

Block 8 - Merge Items

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

Block 9 - isDiffOrNew

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

Block 10 - Check Status

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

Block 11 - Same file - Do nothing

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

Block 12 - File is different

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

Block 13 - File is new

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

Block 14 - Create new file

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

Block 15 - Edit existing file

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

Block 16 - Loop Over Items

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

Block 17 - Schedule Trigger

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

Block 18 - Create sub path

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

Block 19 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 20 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 21 - Starting Message

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

Block 22 - Execute Workflow

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

Block 23 - Completed Notification

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

Block 24 - Failed Flows

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

Showing the first 24 of 26 workflow blocks. Download the JSON for the full node graph.

3. Summary Table

Workflow Back up your n8n workflows to Github
Complexity advanced
Nodes 26
Categories DevOps
Author Jonathan
Published 17 Mar 2022

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/1534/1534.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 Back up your n8n workflows to Github do?

This workflow will backup your workflows to Github. It uses the public api to export all of the workflow data using the n8n node. It then loops over the data checks in Github to see if a file exist...

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.