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Selectively import workflows from GitHub, including nested folders

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1. Workflow Overview

This template lets you selectively import n8n workflows from a GitHub repository, even when your repository uses deeply nested folder structures. Unlike most import workflows, this template does no...

Best for

  • File Management automation workflows
  • advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.formtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.github, n8n-nodes-base.n8n, n8n-nodes-base.extractfromfile, n8n-nodes-base.form, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.if

Source and attribution

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

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Selectively import workflows from GitHub, including nested folders
Workflow name
Selectively import workflows from GitHub, including nested folders

This template lets you selectively import n8n workflows from a GitHub repository, even when your repository uses deeply nested folder structures.

Unlike most import workflows, this template does not load everything automatically. Instead, it: • Traverses all nested folders in your repository • Collects every workflow JSON file found • Dynamically generates a selection form • Allows you to choose exactly which workflows to load • Cleans incompatible fields for n8n API compatibility • Creates workflows directly in your instance

This makes it ideal for users who: • Work across multiple n8n instances • Store workflows in structured GitHub directories (e.g. YYYY/MM/) • Want precise control over which workflows are restored • Manage staging, production, or client environments

If you maintain workflows in GitHub and need controlled, selective imports, especially across structured folder hierarchies, this template is built for that use case.

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 form submission

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.formTrigger - formTrigger
Config choices
Version 2.4

Block 2 - Get repositories for an organization

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

Block 3 - Get a file

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

Block 4 - Create a workflow

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

Block 5 - Extract JSON From File

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

Block 6 - Select Repos

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.form - form
Config choices
Version 2.4

Block 7 - Set Name and Data

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

Block 8 - Results

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.form - form
Config choices
Version 2.4

Block 9 - Initialise Loop State

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

Block 10 - If Has Next Page

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2.3

Block 11 - Set Current Path

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

Block 12 - Process Directory Contents

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

Block 13 - List Files

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

Block 14 - No Operation, do nothing

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

Block 15 - Split Out All Workflows

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

Block 16 - Select Workflow(s)

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.form - form
Config choices
Version 2.4

Block 17 - Split Out Selected Workflow(s)

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

Block 18 - Get Target Repo(s) Data

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 3.2

Block 19 - Strip Incompatible API Fields

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

Block 20 - Merge Success and Failed Workflows

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.merge - merge
Config choices
Version 3.2

Block 21 - Create JSON Repo Options

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

Block 22 - Create JSON Workflow Options

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

Block 23 - Found Matching Workflow?

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2.3

Block 24 - Sticky Note

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

Showing the first 24 of 33 workflow blocks. Download the JSON for the full node graph.

3. Summary Table

Workflow Selectively import workflows from GitHub, including nested folders
Complexity advanced
Nodes 33
Categories File Management
Author Stephen Anindo
Published 11 Feb 2026

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/13300/13300.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 Selectively import workflows from GitHub, including nested folders do?

This template lets you selectively import n8n workflows from a GitHub repository, even when your repository uses deeply nested folder structures. Unlike most import workflows, this template does no...

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 File Management use case.