# Automatic workflow backups to GitLab with OpenAI: n8n workflow

> Started by an event in a connected app, and works across GitLab. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automatic-workflow-backups-to-gitlab-with-openai (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)

# Automatic workflow backups to GitLab with OpenAI

Started by an event in a connected app, and works across GitLab. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 10 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomatic-workflow-backups-to-gitlab-with-openai)

**10 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 1 Logic 2 Service 5

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

- 1 **When Executed by Another Workflow** Execute Workflow trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Workflow Change Detector** N8n trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Fetch Updated Workflow** N8n *Service*
- 4 **Check GitLab Repository** Gitlab *Service*
- 5 **Analyze Repository State** Code *Logic*
- 6 **If** If *Logic*
- 7 **Update Existing Workflow** Gitlab *Service*
- 8 **Create New Workflow File** Gitlab *Service*
- 9 **Generate AI Documentation** Open Ai *Model*
- 10 **Save README to GitLab** Gitlab *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** An event in a connected app
- **Steps:** 10, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** GitLab
- **Model:** OpenAI

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own GitLab account, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on an event in a connected app.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 10 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 10 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%2Fautomatic-workflow-backups-to-gitlab-with-openai)
- **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.

[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.

- [**Automated n8n workflows backup on GitLab** 12 steps · Email, GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-n8n-workflows-backup-on-gitlab)
- [**Backup tag-selected workflows to GitLab** 12 steps · GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/backup-tag-selected-workflows-to-gitlab)
- [**Automated daily backup of n8n workflows to GitLab repositories** 19 steps · GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-daily-backup-of-n8n-workflows-to-gitlab-repositori)