# Automated n8n workflows backup on GitLab: n8n workflow template

> Started by a clock, and works across Email and GitLab. 12 steps, 1 branch, 2 loops or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-n8n-workflows-backup-on-gitlab (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Documents and files](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Documents+and+files#library)

# Automated n8n workflows backup on GitLab

Started by a clock, and works across Email and GitLab. 12 steps, 1 branch, 2 loops or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomated-n8n-workflows-backup-on-gitlab)

**12 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**2** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Logic 6 Service 4

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

- 1 **Manual Backup Trigger** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Scheduled Weekly Backup** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Fetch N8N Workflows** N8n *Service*
- 4 **Prepare Backup Metadata** Set *Logic*
- 5 **Process Each Workflow** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 6 **Log Backup Results** Set *Logic*
- 7 **Format Workflow for GitLab** Set *Logic*
- 8 **Send email** Email Send *Service*
- 9 **Rate Limit Control** Wait *Logic*
- 10 **Create to GitLab Repository** Gitlab *Service*
- 11 **Check Backup Status** If *Logic*
- 12 **Update Backup Summary** Gitlab *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 12, with 1 branch, 2 loops or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Email, GitLab
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Email and GitLab accounts. 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. 12 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 12 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomated-n8n-workflows-backup-on-gitlab)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Email](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Email#library)[GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=GitLab#library)

## Workflows like it

Also documents and files, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Backup tag-selected workflows to GitLab** 12 steps · GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/backup-tag-selected-workflows-to-gitlab)
- [**Create, delete, and organize AWS S3 buckets & files directly** 13 steps · Email, S3](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-delete-and-organize-aws-s3-buckets-and-files-directly)
- [**Profile newly registered domains with DomainKits and Firecrawl** 11 steps · Email](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/profile-newly-registered-domains-with-domainkits-and-firecra)
- [**Weekly GitHub trends translated to zh-ch with DeepSeek** 11 steps · calls a model · Email](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/weekly-github-trends-translated-to-zh-ch-with-deepseek)
- [**Automate manufacturing QC documentation & compliance** 14 steps · Email, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-manufacturing-qc-documentation-and-compliance)
- [**Automatic workflow backups to GitLab with OpenAI** 10 steps · calls a model · GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automatic-workflow-backups-to-gitlab-with-openai)