Transfer workflows with credentials & sub-workflow management between n8n instances

This workflow contains community nodes that are only compatible with the self-hosted version of n8n.

Export Workflows Between n8n Instances

Copy workflows between n8n instances — with optional credential export and automatic sub-workflow adjustments.

🧠 How it Works

This workflow copies a selected workflow from a SOURCE n8n server to a TARGET server and guides you through safe checks:

• Name conflict check: If a workflow with the same name exists on the target the export is stopped.
• Sub-workflows: Detects calls to sub-workflows.
  • If all sub-workflows exist on the target (same names), references are auto-updated and the export continues.
  • If any are missing, the form shows what’s missing and lets you cancel or proceed anyway.
• Credentials: Detects nodes using credentials and lets you export those credentials along with the workflow.
  • The workflow can only apply credential corrections for the credentials that you choose to export with it.
  • At the end, the form lists which credentials were successfully exported.

💡 For in-depth behavior and edge cases, see the Notes inside the workflow (Setup, How It Works, and Credential Issues).

🚀 How to Use

1. Run this workflow on your SOURCE server.
2. Follow the step-by-step form: pick the workflow to export, choose whether to include credentials, and review sub-workflow checks. Done.

⚙️ Setup

• Create an n8n API key on both servers (SOURCE and TARGET).
• On the SOURCE server, create two n8n API credentials in n8n: one for SOURCE and one for TARGET (using the respective base URL and key).
• Configure the nodes in this workflow with these two credentials.
• Detailed step-by-step instructions are available in the workflow notes.

✅ Once configured, you’ll be ready to migrate workflows between servers in just a few clicks.