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Backup n8n workflows with versioning and Notion tracking

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Copy n8n workflows to a slave n8n repository Inspired by Alex Kim's workflow, this version adds the ability to ...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.n8n, n8n-nodes-base.splitinbatches, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.splitout, n8n-nodes-base.wait, n8n-nodes-base.limit, n8n-nodes-base.filter

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Backup n8n workflows with versioning and Notion tracking
Workflow name
Backup n8n workflows with versioning and Notion tracking

Copy n8n workflows to a slave n8n repository

Inspired by Alex Kim's workflow, this version adds the ability to keep multiple versions of the same workflow on the destination instance. Each copied workflow’s name is prefixed with the date (YYYY_MM_DD_), enabling simple version tracking. Process details and workflow counts are recorded centrally in Notion.

How it works

  • Workflows from the source n8n instance are copied to the destination using the n8n API node.
  • On the destination, each workflow name is prefixed with the current date (e.g., 2025_08_03_PDF Summarizer), so you can keep multiple daily versions.
  • The workflow tracks and saves:
    • The date of execution.
    • Number of workflows processed.
    • Both details are recorded in Notion.

Rolling retention policy example:

  • Day 1: Workflows are saved with 2025_08_03_ prefix.
  • Day 2: New set saved with 2025_08_04_.
  • Day 3: Day 1’s set is deleted, new set saved as 2025_08_05_.
  • To keep more days, adjust the “Subtract From Date” node.

How to use

  1. Create a Notion database with one page and three fields:

    • sequence: Should contain "prefix".
    • Value: Today's date as YYYY_MM_DD_.
    • Comment: Number of saved workflows.
  2. Configure the Notion node:

    • Enter your Notion credentials.
    • Link to the created database/page.
  3. Update the "Subtract From Date" node:

    • Set how many days’ versions you want to keep (default: 2 days).
    • Set the limit to 1 in the "Limit" node for testing.
  4. Input credentials for both source and destination n8n instances.

Requirements

  • Notion for tracking execution date and workflow count.
  • n8n API Keys for both source and destination instances. Ensure you have the necessary API permissions (read, create, delete workflows)
  • n8n version this workflow was tested on 1.103.2 (Ubuntu)

Need Help?

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 - When clicking ‘Test workflow’

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

Block 2 - GET - Workflows

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

Block 3 - CREATE - Workflow

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

Block 4 - Loop Over Items

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

Block 5 - Sticky Note

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

Block 6 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 7 - GET - Destination Workflows

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

Block 8 - Split Out Workflows

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

Block 9 - Split Out Workflows1

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

Block 10 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 11 - Wait

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

Block 12 - Limit

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

Block 13 - Filter

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

Block 14 - today

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

Block 15 - yesterday

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

Block 16 - yesterday_prefix

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

Block 17 - today_prefix

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

Block 18 - Sticky Note4

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

Block 19 - Sticky Note5

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

Block 20 - Sticky Note6

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

Block 21 - Sticky Note7

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

Block 22 - Sticky Note8

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

Block 23 - Notion

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

Block 24 - Notion1

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

Showing the first 24 of 28 workflow blocks. Download the JSON for the full node graph.

3. Summary Table

Workflow Backup n8n workflows with versioning and Notion tracking
Complexity advanced
Nodes 28
Categories DevOps
Author Stéphane Heckel
Published 03 Aug 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/6947/6947.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 Backup n8n workflows with versioning and Notion tracking do?

Copy n8n workflows to a slave n8n repository Inspired by Alex Kim's workflow, this version adds the ability to ...

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.