Automation library · Documents and files

Automated n8n Workflow Backup to GitHub (Smart Change Detection)

Started by a clock. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors. 15 steps, 1 branch, 2 loops or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

Download free
15 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
1Branch: places the flow splits
2Loops or waits
0Services by connector: it calls them over plain HTTP

The flow

Starts it 2Logic 9Service 4

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

  1. 1n8n Trigger (startup/restart)N8n triggerStarts it
  2. 2Schedule Trigger (every hour)Schedule triggerStarts it
  3. 3Wait (so n8n is ready and runnning)WaitLogic
  4. 4fetches a list of all your workflowsHttp RequestService
  5. 5Fetch individual workflow detailsHttp RequestService
  6. 6Split dataSplit OutLogic
  7. 7Exclude Sensitive Workflows (tag=no-backup or workflow name include INTERNALCodeLogic
  8. 8Loop Over ItemsSplit In BatchesLogic
  9. 9message of backupCodeLogic
  10. 10Convert to JSON & Base64 encode itCodeLogic
  11. 11ENDNo OpLogic
  12. 12GET existing FileHttp RequestService
  13. 13compare code nodeCodeLogic
  14. 14IfIfLogic
  15. 15Commit to GitHubHttp RequestService

How it's built

Starts on
A clock
Steps
15, with 1 branch, 2 loops or waits
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Nothing by connector; it calls services over plain HTTP
Model
None. This is plumbing, not judgement

Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 15 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

Before you run it

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 15 steps before you point it at anything that matters.