# Monitor a file for changes and send an alert with SIGNL4: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across SIGNL4. 9 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/monitor-a-file-for-changes-and-send-an-alert-with-signl4 (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

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

# Monitor a file for changes and send an alert with SIGNL4

Started by a clock, and works across SIGNL4. 9 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fmonitor-a-file-for-changes-and-send-an-alert-with-signl4)

**9 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Logic 2 Service 6

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

- 1 **Cron** Cron *Starts it*
- 2 **Read Binary File** Read Binary File *Service*
- 3 **Binary to JSON** Move Binary Data *Service*
- 4 **IF** If *Logic*
- 5 **SIGNL4 Alert** Signl4 *Service*
- 6 **SIGNL4 Resolve** Signl4 *Service*
- 7 **Mark as Done** Function *Logic*
- 8 **JSON to Binary** Move Binary Data *Service*
- 9 **Write Binary File** Write Binary File *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 9, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** SIGNL4
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own SIGNL4 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. 9 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 9 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%2Fmonitor-a-file-for-changes-and-send-an-alert-with-signl4)
- **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.

[SIGNL4](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=SIGNL4#library)

## Workflows like it

Also alerts and monitoring, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Send TheHive alerts with SIGNL4** 7 steps · SIGNL4](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/send-thehive-alerts-with-signl4)
- [**Database alerts with Notion and SIGNL4** 13 steps · Notion, SIGNL4](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/database-alerts-with-notion-and-signl4)
- [**Send weather alerts to your mobile phone with OpenWeatherMap** 5 steps · SIGNL4](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/send-weather-alerts-to-your-mobile-phone-with-openweathermap)
- [**Send an alert with SIGNL4** 4 steps · SIGNL4](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/send-an-alert-with-signl4)
- [**Create an alert on SIGNL4** 2 steps · SIGNL4](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-an-alert-on-signl4)