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Backup your workflows to GitHub

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Based on Jonathan'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 workfl...

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.n8n, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.merge, n8n-nodes-base.code

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Backup your workflows to GitHub
Workflow name
Backup your workflows to GitHub

Based on Jonathan'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.

Who is this for?

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

Check out my other templates

👉 https://n8n.io/creators/solomon/

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 - n8n

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

Block 4 - Return

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

Block 5 - Get File

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

Block 6 - If file too large

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

Block 7 - Merge Items

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

Block 8 - isDiffOrNew

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

Block 9 - Check Status

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

Block 10 - Same file - Do nothing

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

Block 11 - File is different

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

Block 12 - File is new

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

Block 13 - Create new file

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

Block 14 - Edit existing file

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

Block 15 - Loop Over Items

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

Block 16 - Schedule Trigger

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

Block 17 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 18 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 19 - Get file data

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

Block 20 - Globals

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

Block 21 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 22 - Execute Workflow Trigger

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

Block 23 - Execute Workflow

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

Block 24 - Sticky Note16

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow Backup your workflows to GitHub
Complexity advanced
Nodes 24
Categories DevOps
Author Solomon
Published 18 Dec 2024

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/2652/2652.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 your workflows to GitHub do?

Based on Jonathan'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 workfl...

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.