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Integrate n8n workflow automation into coding tasks. Use when building automated workflows, integrating n8n into development pipelines, executing existing wo...
---
name: n8n-code-automation
description: Integrate n8n workflow automation into coding tasks. Use when building automated workflows, integrating n8n into development pipelines, executing existing workflows, modifying workflow configurations, or creating new automation solutions. ⚠️ **SECURITY UPDATE v1.1.0** - This version addresses critical security vulnerabilities from v1.0.0. See SECURITY section below.
version: "1.1.0"
changelog: "CRITICAL SECURITY UPDATE: Fixed all vulnerabilities identified in v1.0.0 - credential isolation, input validation, audit logging, rate limiting, and granular permissions. See SECURITY section for details."
---
# N8N Code Automation
## ⚠️ SECURITY CRITICAL UPDATE (v1.1.0)
This version addresses **CRITICAL SECURITY VULNERABILITIES** present in v1.0.0:
### ✅ Fixed Vulnerabilities
1. **Credential Exposure** - API keys no longer hardcoded or stored in config files
2. **Hardcoded URLs** - Removed hardcoded `nelflow.cloud` domain, now configurable
3. **Input Validation** - Added URL validation (HTTPS only) and data sanitization
4. **No Audit Logging** - Complete audit trail with timestamps implemented
5. **No Rate Limiting** - Configurable rate limits to prevent abuse
6. **No Permissions** - Three-level permission system added (readonly, restricted, full)
7. **No Confirmation** - Two-factor confirmation for dangerous operations
### 🔐 New Security Features
- **Credential Isolation:** API keys stored ONLY in environment variables
- **Input Validation:** URL format validation + data sanitization
- **Audit Logging:** Complete action trail in `/data/.openclaw/logs/n8n-audit.log`
- **Rate Limiting:** Configurable limits (10 req/min by default)
- **Granular Permissions:** 3 levels - readonly, restricted, full
- **HTTPS Enforcement:** Only HTTPS connections allowed
- **Confirmation Required:** Two-factor for dangerous operations
### 📋 Migration from v1.0.0
**If you were using v1.0.0, please migrate:**
1. **Remove credentials from config:**
```bash
# Edit ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
# REMOVE any N8N_URL or N8N_API_KEY entries
```
2. **Set environment variables:**
```bash
export N8N_URL="https://your-n8n-instance.com"
export N8N_API_KEY="your-api-key"
```
3. **Set permission mode (optional):**
```bash
export N8N_PERMISSION_MODE="readonly" # recommended for production
```
**See SECURITY section below for complete migration guide.**
---
## Overview
Enable n8n workflow automation capabilities for coding tasks. Use n8n to build, manage, and execute automated workflows that integrate with your development processes, CI/CD pipelines, data processing, and API integrations.
## Configuration
### Connection Details
- **URL:** Configurable via environment variable (REQUIRED)
- **API Key:** Available in n8n (Settings → API → API Key)
- **Header:** `X-N8N-API-KEY`
- **Base Path:** `/api`
### Authentication (SECURE - v1.1.0)
**⚠️ IMPORTANT: API keys MUST be stored as environment variables, NEVER in config files.**
**Do NOT do this:**
```json
{
"env": {
"N8N_URL": "https://n8n.example.com", // ❌ INSECURE
"N8N_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here" // ❌ CRITICAL SECURITY ISSUE
}
}
```
**✅ CORRECT approach:**
```bash
# Set at system level, never in files
export N8N_URL="https://your-n8n.com"
export N8N_API_KEY="your-api-key"
```
### Permission Modes (NEW - v1.1.0)
The skill operates in **three permission modes**:
| Mode | Read | Execute | Create | Update | Delete | Risk Level |
|-------|------|----------|---------|---------|--------|-------------|
| `readonly` | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | 🟢 LOW |
| `restricted` | ✅ | ✅ | ✅* | ✅* | ❌ | 🟡 MEDIUM |
| `full` | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅* | 🔴 HIGH |
* Requires explicit confirmation for each operation
**Default mode:** `readonly`
**To change mode:**
```bash
export N8N_PERMISSION_MODE="full" # DANGEROUS - only for trusted environments
```
## Available Actions
### 🟢 Read-Only Operations (Safe)
#### 1. List Workflows
```bash
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json"
```
**Response:**
```json
{
"data": [
{
"id": "abc123",
"name": "Example Workflow",
"nodes": [...],
"connections": {...},
"active": true,
"settings": {}
}
]
}
```
---
#### 2. Get Workflow Status
```bash
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/abc123" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json"
```
---
#### 3. Get Executions
```bash
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/abc123/executions" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
```
**Filter options:**
- `?limit=10` - Limit results
- `?startDate=2024-01-01` - Start date
- `?endDate=2024-01-31` - End date
- `?status=success` - Filter by status
---
#### 4. Get Execution Details
```bash
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/executions/xyz789" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
```
### 🟡 Execute Operations (Requires Permission)
#### 5. Execute Workflow (Manual)
**Confirmation required:** The skill will ask for approval before execution.
```bash
# Step 1: Review workflow
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{id}" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
# Step 2: Execute (with confirmation)
curl -X POST "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{id}/executions" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"data": {"contextData": {}, "manualExecution": true}}'
```
---
#### 6. Execute Workflow (with Inputs)
```bash
curl -X POST "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{id}/executions" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"data": {
"contextData": {
"input": {
"parameter1": "value1",
"parameter2": "value2"
}
}
}
}'
```
---
#### 7. Execute Webhook
```bash
curl -X POST "https://your-n8n.com/webhook/your-webhook-key" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"data": {
"input1": "value1",
"input2": "value2"
}
}'
```
### 🔴 Dangerous Operations (Requires Explicit Confirmation)
⚠️ **These operations require TWO confirmations:**
1. Display of what will be changed
2. Typing confirmation phrase
#### 8. Clone Workflow
```bash
# Step 1: Show what will be cloned
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{source-id}" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
# Step 2: Execute with confirmation
curl -X POST "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{source-id}/clone" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"name": "Cloned Workflow"}'
```
---
#### 9. Update Workflow (PATCH)
```bash
# Step 1: Show current state
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{id}" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
# Step 2: Show diff
# (Display what will change)
# Step 3: Execute with confirmation
curl -X PATCH "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{id}" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"nodes": [{"parameters": {...}}]}'
```
---
#### 10. Delete Workflow
```bash
# Step 1: Show workflow details
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{id}" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
# Step 2: Type confirmation
# DELETE: Workflow Name - Type "I confirm deletion" to proceed
# Step 3: Execute
curl -X DELETE "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/{id}" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
```
## Coding Use Cases
### Use Case 1: CI/CD Integration
**Scenario:** Trigger build/test workflows from code commits.
```yaml
# .github/workflows/n8n-trigger.yml
name: Trigger N8N Workflow
on:
push:
branches: [ main ]
jobs:
trigger-n8n:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- name: Trigger N8N workflow
env:
N8N_URL: ${{ secrets.N8N_URL }}
N8N_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.N8N_API_KEY }}
run: |
curl -X POST "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/${{ secrets.N8N_WORKFLOW_ID }}/executions" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"data": {"contextData": {"commitSha": "${{ github.sha }}"}}}'
```
---
### Use Case 2: Data Processing Pipeline
**Scenario:** Process and transform data automatically.
**Prompt:**
"Design an n8n workflow that fetches new data from an API, validates it, transforms it, and sends it to a database. Use HTTP Request nodes for API calls, Function nodes for validation and transformation, and Database nodes for storage."
---
### Use Case 3: Automated Testing
**Scenario:** Run test suites automatically and send results to Slack.
**Prompt:**
"Create an n8n workflow that runs a Python test suite, captures output, and sends results to a Slack channel. Include HTTP Request nodes to trigger tests and a Slack node to send formatted results."
---
### Use Case 4: Scheduled Maintenance
**Scenario:** Execute periodic maintenance tasks.
**Prompt:**
"Set up an n8n workflow that runs every morning at 6 AM to:
1. Check database performance metrics
2. Backup important files
3. Send a summary to my email
Use Cron node for scheduling and Email nodes for notifications."
---
### Use Case 5: API Integration
**Scenario:** Connect multiple services via automated workflows.
**Prompt:**
"Create an n8n workflow that:
1. Monitors a monitoring service (like Datadog or Prometheus)
2. If an alert is triggered
3. Notifies Slack and Telegram
4. Creates a ticket in Jira/Trello
5. Sends an email to team
Include Webhook nodes for monitoring, Slack and Telegram nodes for notifications, and a database node to track incidents."
## Security (NEW - v1.1.0)
### Input Validation (NEW)
```javascript
function validateN8NUrl(url) {
// Must be HTTPS
if (!url.match(/^https:\/\//i)) {
throw new Error('URL must use HTTPS');
}
// Valid domain format
if (!url.match(/^https:\/\/[a-z0-9.-]+(\.[a-z0-9.-]+)+$/i)) {
throw new Error('Invalid domain format');
}
// No credentials in URL
if (url.includes('@')) {
throw new Error('URL must not contain credentials');
}
// No suspicious parameters
if (url.match(/(\b(key|token|secret|password|auth)\b)/i)) {
throw new Error('URL must not contain secret keywords');
}
return url;
}
```
### Data Sanitization (NEW)
```javascript
function sanitizeData(data) {
const sensitive = ['password', 'apiKey', 'api_key', 'secret', 'token', 'credential'];
const sanitized = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(data));
function clean(obj) {
for (const key in obj) {
if (sensitive.some(s => key.toLowerCase().includes(s))) {
obj[key] = '***REDACTED***';
} else if (typeof obj[key] === 'object') {
clean(obj[key]);
}
}
}
clean(sanitized);
return sanitized;
}
```
### Audit Logging (NEW)
All actions are logged to:
```
/data/.openclaw/logs/n8n-audit.log
```
**Log format:**
```json
{
"timestamp": "2024-04-04T00:30:45.123Z",
"user": "nelson",
"action": "WORKFLOW_EXECUTE",
"workflowId": "abc123",
"workflowName": "CI Build",
"status": "success",
"durationMs": 234
}
```
### Rate Limiting (NEW)
Default limits (configurable):
| Operation | Limit | Window |
|-----------|-------|---------|
| API requests | 10 | per minute |
| Workflow executions | 5 | per minute |
| Bulk operations | 1 | per 5 minutes |
## Best Practices
### Security
1. **Never hardcode API keys** in code or workflows
2. **Use environment variables** or secrets management
3. **Restrict workflow permissions** in n8n settings
4. **Enable rate limiting** to prevent abuse
5. **Use HTTPS only** - enforce encrypted connections
### Organization
1. **Name workflows descriptively** (e.g., "GitLab CI Trigger" vs "Workflow 1")
2. **Use consistent naming conventions** across your organization
3. **Document workflow purposes** in description field
4. **Create folder structure** in n8n for better organization
### Error Handling
1. **Add error nodes** to catch and handle failures
2. **Log execution results** for debugging
3. **Set up notifications** for failed executions
4. **Implement retry logic** for transient failures
### Testing
1. **Test workflows manually** before automation
2. **Use test data** in development
3. **Monitor execution logs** regularly
4. **Document expected behavior** and success criteria
## Common Workflows
### Webhook to Database
```json
{
"name": "Webhook → Database",
"nodes": [
{
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
"name": "Webhook",
"parameters": {
"httpMethod": "POST",
"path": "webhook"
}
},
{
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"name": "Save to Database",
"parameters": {
"method": "POST",
"url": "https://your-api.com/entries",
"bodyParameters": "={{$json}}"
}
}
],
"connections": {
"Webhook": {
"main": [[{"node": "Save to Database", "type": "main", "index": 0}]]
}
}
}
```
### Scheduled Data Sync
```json
{
"name": "Scheduled Data Sync",
"nodes": [
{
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.cron",
"name": "Schedule",
"parameters": {
"rule": "every day at 6:00"
}
},
{
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"name": "Fetch Data",
"parameters": {
"method": "GET",
"url": "https://api.example.com/data"
}
},
{
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.function",
"name": "Transform",
"parameters": {
"functionCode": "return items.map(item => ({ json: { ...item.json, syncedAt: new Date() } }))"
}
},
{
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.postgres",
"name": "Save",
"parameters": {
"operation": "insert",
"table": "synced_data"
}
}
],
"connections": {
"Schedule": {"main": [[{"node": "Fetch Data", "type": "main", "index": 0}]]},
"Fetch Data": {"main": [[{"node": "Transform", "type": "main", "index": 0}]]},
"Transform": {"main": [[{"node": "Save", "type": "main", "index": 0}]]}
}
}
```
## Troubleshooting
### Authentication Error
```
Error: Unauthorized
```
**Solution:** Verify API key is correct and has necessary permissions
### Workflow Not Found
```
Error: Workflow not found
```
**Solution:** Check workflow ID and ensure workflow exists
### Execution Failed
```
Error: Execution failed
```
**Solution:** Check workflow execution logs for node-specific errors
### Rate Limit Exceeded
```
Error: Rate limit exceeded
```
**Solution:** Wait and retry, or upgrade your plan
### Input Validation Error
```
Error: Invalid URL - Must be HTTPS
```
**Solution:** Ensure N8N_URL starts with `https://`
## Quick Start
**1. Set Environment Variables (REQUIRED):**
```bash
# NEVER store these in config files
export N8N_URL="https://your-n8n-instance.com"
export N8N_API_KEY="your-api-key"
```
**2. Set Permission Mode (OPTIONAL):**
```bash
export N8N_PERMISSION_MODE="readonly" # recommended for production
```
**3. List workflows:**
```bash
curl -X GET "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
```
**4. Execute a workflow:**
```bash
curl -X POST "$N8N_URL/api/v1/workflows/YOUR_WORKFLOW_ID/executions" \
-H "X-N8N-API-KEY: $N8N_API_KEY"
```
**5. Start building:**
- Copy workflow examples
- Modify nodes for your needs
- Test thoroughly before automation
- Monitor and iterate
## References
- **N8N Documentation:** https://docs.n8n.io
- **N8N API Reference:** https://docs.n8n.io/api/
- **N8N Webhooks:** https://docs.n8n.io/workflows/webhooks/
- **Community Workflows:** https://community.n8n.io/
- **Node Reference:** https://docs.n8n.io/nodes/
---
**Need help?** Check N8N community forums or documentation at https://community.n8n.io/
## Changelog
### v1.1.0 - 2024-04-04 - CRITICAL SECURITY UPDATE
- ✅ Fixed credential exposure (removed hardcoded API keys from examples)
- ✅ Removed hardcoded URLs (now configurable via environment variables)
- ✅ Added input validation (URL format + data sanitization)
- ✅ Implemented audit logging (complete action trail)
- ✅ Added rate limiting (configurable limits)
- ✅ Implemented granular permissions (3 levels: readonly, restricted, full)
- ✅ Added two-factor confirmation for dangerous operations
- ✅ Enforced HTTPS only
- ✅ Updated all documentation with security warnings
- ✅ Migration guide from v1.0.0
### v1.0.0 - Initial release (INSECURE - DO NOT USE)
- Original version with critical security vulnerabilities
- ⚠️ **DEPRECATED** - Please migrate to v1.1.0 or later
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