n8n Developer Cheatsheet

A comprehensive reference guide for building n8n workflows based on official documentation from docs.n8n.io.

Node Architecture Fundamentals

Data Flow Model

All data in n8n flows as arrays of JSON objects with this structure:

[
  { "json": { "key1": "value1", "key2": "value2" } },
  { "json": { "key1": "value3", "key2": "value4" } }
]

Key Requirements:

Data must be an array of objects
Each object requires a json key wrapping actual data
From v0.166.0+, n8n auto-adds json key for Function/Code nodes
Custom nodes must ensure proper structure

Node Types

Trigger Nodes (⚡ icon)

Start workflows, provide initial data
Only one trigger executes per workflow
Examples: Schedule Trigger, Webhook, Manual Trigger

Action/App Nodes

Process data from previous nodes
400+ built-in integrations available
Categories: App integrations, data transformation, flow control

Core Nodes

Fundamental functionality (HTTP Request, Code, IF, Switch)
Can be trigger or action nodes
Essential for logic and generic operations

Essential JSON Workflow Structure

Basic Workflow Template

{
  "name": "Example Workflow",
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "node-1",
      "name": "Schedule Trigger",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
      "typeVersion": 1.1,
      "position": [250, 300],
      "parameters": {
        "triggerInterval": "weeks",
        "weeksBetweenTriggers": 1,
        "triggerAtHour": 9,
        "triggerAtMinute": 0
      }
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Schedule Trigger": {
      "main": [
        [{ "node": "Next Node", "type": "main", "index": 0 }]
      ]
    }
  }
}

HTTP Request Node Configuration

{
  "name": "API Request",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
  "parameters": {
    "method": "POST",
    "url": "https://api.service.com/v1/endpoint",
    "authentication": "predefinedCredentialType",
    "sendQuery": true,
    "queryParameters": {
      "parameters": [
        { "name": "limit", "value": "10" },
        { "name": "page", "value": "={{ $pageCount + 1 }}" }
      ]
    },
    "sendHeaders": true,
    "headerParameters": {
      "parameters": [
        { "name": "Content-Type", "value": "application/json" },
        { "name": "Authorization", "value": "Bearer {{ $credentials.token }}" }
      ]
    },
    "sendBody": true,
    "bodyContentType": "json",
    "jsonBody": "={{ { data: $json, timestamp: $now } }}",
    "options": {
      "pagination": {
        "paginationMode": "updateAParameterInEachRequest",
        "maxRequests": 100
      }
    }
  }
}

Webhook Node Configuration

{
  "name": "Webhook",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
  "parameters": {
    "httpMethod": "POST",
    "path": "my-webhook-endpoint",
    "authentication": "basicAuth",
    "responseMode": "whenLastNodeFinishes",
    "options": {
      "allowedOrigins": "*",
      "rawBody": true,
      "responseData": "={{ { success: true, receivedData: $json } }}"
    }
  }
}

Code Node Template

{
  "name": "Data Processor",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
  "parameters": {
    "language": "javaScript",
    "jsCode": "// Process each item\nfor (const item of $input.all()) {\n  item.json.processedAt = new Date().toISOString();\n  item.json.score = Math.random() * 100;\n  \n  if (item.json.contacts) {\n    item.json.contactCount = item.json.contacts.length;\n  }\n}\n\nreturn $input.all();",
    "mode": "runOnceForAllItems"
  }
}

Popular Integrations and Patterns

Most Used Nodes

HTTP Request: Universal API calls
Webhook: Receive external data
Schedule Trigger: Time-based automation
Slack: Team communication
Google Workspace: Gmail, Sheets, Drive
Database Nodes: PostgreSQL (recommended), MySQL
AI Agent: LLM integrations
IF/Filter/Merge: Workflow logic

Authentication Patterns

OAuth2 Setup

{
  "credentials": {
    "oauth2Api": {
      "authUrl": "https://api.service.com/oauth2/authorize",
      "accessTokenUrl": "https://api.service.com/oauth2/token",
      "clientId": "your-client-id",
      "clientSecret": "your-client-secret",
      "scope": "read write"
    }
  }
}

API Key Authentication

{
  "authentication": "genericCredentialType",
  "genericAuthType": "httpHeaderAuth",
  "sendHeaders": true,
  "headerParameters": {
    "parameters": [
      { "name": "X-API-Key", "value": "={{ $credentials.apiKey }}" }
    ]
  }
}

Common Workflow Patterns

Conditional Logic

{
  "name": "If",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
  "parameters": {
    "conditions": {
      "options": {
        "leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
        "operation": "equal",
        "rightValue": "active"
      }
    }
  }
}

Data Transformation

{
  "name": "Edit Fields",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
  "parameters": {
    "mode": "manual",
    "fieldsToSet": [
      {
        "name": "fullName",
        "value": "={{ $json.firstName + ' ' + $json.lastName }}"
      },
      {
        "name": "email",
        "value": "={{ $json.emailAddress.toLowerCase() }}"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Loop Processing

{
  "name": "Loop Over Items",
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
  "parameters": {
    "batchSize": 10,
    "options": {
      "reset": true
    }
  }
}

Advanced Features and Best Practices

Error Handling

Set up Error Workflows in workflow settings
Use Error Trigger node to catch failures
Configure node-level retry settings
Implement Stop and Error nodes for custom failures

Performance Optimization

Use Queue Mode for production scaling
Configure PostgreSQL database (not SQLite)
Set execution data pruning limits
Implement batch processing for large datasets

Security Best Practices

Use predefined credentials when available
Store API keys as environment variables
Enable 2FA and proper user permissions
Configure webhook authentication
Use HTTPS for all external communications

Expression Syntax

Built-in Functions

{{ $now }}                    // Current timestamp
{{ $today }}                  // Today's date
{{ $json.field }}            // Access JSON data
{{ $node["NodeName"].json }} // Access specific node data
{{ $workflow.name }}         // Current workflow name

Date Operations

{{ $today.minus(7, 'days') }}
{{ $now.toFormat('yyyy-MM-dd') }}
{{ DateTime.fromISO($json.date).plus({ hours: 24 }) }}

String Functions

{{ $json.email.extractDomain() }}
{{ $json.name.toTitleCase() }}
{{ $json.text.removeMarkdown() }}

Array Operations

{{ $json.items.length }}
{{ $json.tags.unique().join(', ') }}
{{ $json.numbers.max() }}

Conditional Logic

{{ $json.status === 'active' ? 'Enabled' : 'Disabled' }}
{{ $json.priority || 'normal' }}
{{ $json.items?.length > 0 ? $json.items[0].name : 'No items' }}

Debugging Tips

Use Pin Data to test with fixed inputs
Check execution history in Executions panel
Use Debug Helper node for test data
Implement console.log() in Code nodes
Test webhooks with Test URL before production

Environment Configuration

Essential Variables

# Basic Setup
N8N_HOST=0.0.0.0
N8N_PORT=5678
N8N_PROTOCOL=https
WEBHOOK_URL=https://your-domain.com/

# Database
DB_TYPE=postgresdb
DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=localhost
DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8n

# Security
N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=your-secure-key
N8N_JWT_AUTH_ACTIVE=true

# Performance
EXECUTIONS_MODE=queue
N8N_PAYLOAD_SIZE_MAX=16MB

Queue Mode (Production)

# Main instance
EXECUTIONS_MODE=queue
QUEUE_BULL_REDIS_HOST=redis-server

# Worker instances
npm run start:worker

Keyboard Shortcuts

Tab: Open node menu
Ctrl/Cmd + S: Save workflow
Ctrl/Cmd + E: Execute workflow
Ctrl/Cmd + D: Duplicate node
Delete: Remove selected node

Common Schedule Patterns

// Daily at 9 AM weekdays
"0 9 * * 1-5"

// Weekly on Mondays at 10 AM
"0 10 * * 1"

// Monthly on 1st at midnight
"0 0 1 * *"

Import/Export Commands

# Export workflows
n8n export:workflow --all --output=backup.json

# Import workflows
n8n import:workflow --input=backup.json

# Export credentials (be careful!)
n8n export:credentials --all --output=creds.json --decrypted

Quick Reference

Data Structure Requirements

Always return arrays of objects
Use json key wrapper for data
Handle multiple items automatically
Apply proper error handling

Popular Use Cases

API Integration: Connect services with HTTP Request
Data Processing: Transform and route information
Notifications: Send alerts via Slack/email
File Handling: Process uploads and downloads
Database Operations: CRUD operations and synchronization
AI Workflows: Document processing and chat automation

Resource Requirements

Development: 250MB RAM minimum
Production: 1GB+ RAM with SSD
Database: Dedicated PostgreSQL instance
Scaling: Add workers in queue mode

This cheatsheet provides the essential knowledge for building robust n8n workflows efficiently. Refer to docs.n8n.io for the latest updates and detailed documentation.