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Prevent simultaneous workflow executions with Redis

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Prevent simultaneous workflow executions with Redis preview
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Important notice

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

1. Workflow Overview

Purpose This ensures that executions of scheduled workflows do not overlap when they take longer than expected. How it works This is a separate workflow which monitors the execution of the main wor...

Best for

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

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.executeworkflow, n8n-nodes-base.scheduletrigger, n8n-nodes-base.redis, n8n-nodes-base.filter, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.noop, n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Prevent simultaneous workflow executions with Redis
Workflow name
Prevent simultaneous workflow executions with Redis

Purpose

This ensures that executions of scheduled workflows do not overlap when they take longer than expected.

How it works

  • This is a separate workflow which monitors the execution of the main workflow
  • Stores a flag in Redis (key dynamically named after workflow ID) which indicates if the main workflow is running or idle
  • Only calls the main workflow if the last execution has finished

Setup

  • Update the credentials suitable for your Redis instance
  • Replace the Schedule Trigger of your main workflow by an Execute Workflow Trigger
  • Copy the workflow ID from the URL
  • Paste the workflow ID in the Execute Workflow Node of this workflow
  • Configure the Schedule Trigger Node

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 - Execute Workflow

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

Block 2 - Schedule Trigger

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

Block 3 - Get Status

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

Block 4 - Set Running

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

Block 5 - Set Idle

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

Block 6 - Continue if Idle

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

Block 7 - Redis Key exists

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

Block 8 - No Operation

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

Block 9 - When clicking "Test workflow"

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

Block 10 - Reset to Idle

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

Block 11 - Sticky Note

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

Block 12 - Sticky Note1

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

Block 13 - Sticky Note2

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

Block 14 - Sticky Note3

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

Block 15 - Sticky Note4

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

Block 16 - Sticky Note5

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

Block 17 - Sticky Note6

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

3. Summary Table

Workflow Prevent simultaneous workflow executions with Redis
Complexity advanced
Nodes 17
Categories DevOps
Author Mario
Published 18 May 2024

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/2270/2270.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 Prevent simultaneous workflow executions with Redis do?

Purpose This ensures that executions of scheduled workflows do not overlap when they take longer than expected. How it works This is a separate workflow which monitors the execution of the main wor...

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.