Automation library · Integrations

Self update Docker-based n8n with SSH

Started by a clock, and works across Email. 14 steps, 3 branches: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

14 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
3Branches: places the flow splits
0Loops or waits
1Service it connects to

The flow

Starts it 1Logic 6Service 7

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

  1. 1Schedule TriggerSchedule triggerStarts it
  2. 2Get Current n8n VersionSshService
  3. 3Get Local Image DigestSshService
  4. 4Get Remote Image DigestHttp RequestService
  5. 5Prepare Update DataSetLogic
  6. 6If No ChangesIfLogic
  7. 7No UpdatesNo OpLogic
  8. 8Ask For Approval to UpdateEmail SendService
  9. 9If ApprovedIfLogic
  10. 10Check Existence of Update ScriptSshService
  11. 11Do NothingNo OpLogic
  12. 12If File ExistsIfLogic
  13. 13Execute Update ScriptSshService
  14. 14Create Update ScriptSshService

How it's built

Starts on
A clock
Steps
14, with 3 branches
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Email
Model
None. This is plumbing, not judgement

Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Email 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. 14 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 14 steps before you point it at anything that matters.