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Pattern for multiple triggers combined to continue workflow

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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

This template describes a possible approach to handle a pseudo callback/trigger from an independent, external process (initiated from a workflow) and combine the received input with the workflow ex...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.wait, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.webhook, n8n-nodes-base.respondtowebhook

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Pattern for multiple triggers combined to continue workflow
Workflow name
Pattern for multiple triggers combined to continue workflow

Overview

This template describes a possible approach to handle a pseudo-callback/trigger from an independent, external process (initiated from a workflow) and combine the received input with the workflow execution that is already in progress. This requires the external system to pass through some context information (resumeUrl), but allows the "primary" workflow execution to continue with BOTH its own (previous-node) context, AND the input received in the "secondary" trigger/process.

Primary Workflow Trigger/Execution

The workflow path from the primary trigger initiates some external, independent process and provides "context" which includes the value of $execution.resumeUrl. This execution then reaches a Wait node configured with Resume - On Webhook Call and stops until a call to resumeUrl is received.

External, Independent Process

The external, independent process could be anything like a Telegram conversation, or a web-service as long as:

  1. it results in a single execution of the Secondary Workflow Trigger, and
  2. it can pass through the value of resumeUrl associated with the Primary Workflow Execution

Secondary Workflow Trigger/Execution

The secondary workflow execution can start with any kind of trigger as long as part of the input can include the resumeUrl. To combine / rejoin the primary workflow execution, this execution passes along whatever it receives from its trigger input to the resume-webhook endpoint on the Wait node.

Notes

  • IMPORTANT: The workflow ids in the Set nodes marked Update Me have embedded references to the workflow IDs in the original system. They will need to be CHANGED to make this demo work.
  • Note: The Resume Other Workflow Execution node in the template uses the $env.WEBHOOK_URL configuration to convert to an internal "localhost" call in a Docker environment. This can be done differently.
  • ALERT: This pattern is NOT suitable for a workflow that handles multiple items because the first workflow execution will only be waiting for one callback.
  • The second workflow (not the second trigger in the first workflow) is just to demonstrate how the Independent, External Process needs to work.

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 - Sticky Note8

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

Block 2 - When clicking ‘Test workflow’

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

Block 3 - Wait

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

Block 4 - HTTP Request - Initiate Independent Process

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

Block 5 - Sticky Note

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

Block 6 - HTTP Request - Resume Other Workflow Execution

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

Block 7 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 8 - This Node Can Access Primary and Secondary

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

Block 9 - Set Primary Execution Context

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

Block 10 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 11 - Receive Input from External, Independent Process

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

Block 12 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 13 - Sticky Note4

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

Block 14 - Sticky Note5

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

Block 15 - Sticky Note6

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

Block 16 - Sticky Note7

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

Block 17 - Respond to Webhook

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

Block 18 - Simulate Event that Hits the 2nd Trigger/Flow

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

Block 19 - Simulate some Consumed Service Time

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

Block 20 - HTTP Request - Get A Random Joke

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

Block 21 - Demo "Trigger" Callback Setup

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

Block 22 - Webhook

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

Block 23 - Sticky Note9

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow Pattern for multiple triggers combined to continue workflow
Complexity advanced
Nodes 23
Categories Engineering
Author Hubschrauber
Published 07 Feb 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/2857/2857.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 Pattern for multiple triggers combined to continue workflow do?

This template describes a possible approach to handle a pseudo callback/trigger from an independent, external process (initiated from a workflow) and combine the received input with the workflow ex...

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 Engineering use case.