# Version control n8n workflows in GitLab: n8n workflow template

> Started by a clock, and works across GitLab. 17 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

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

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Integrations](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Integrations#library)

# Version control n8n workflows in GitLab

Started by a clock, and works across GitLab. 17 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

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

**17 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 Logic 11 Service 4

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

- 1 **When clicking ‘Execute workflow’** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Schedule Trigger** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Set Global GitLab Variables** Set *Logic*
- 4 **Fetch Workflows from n8n** N8n *Service*
- 5 **Clean & Normalize Workflow Name** Code *Logic*
- 6 **Prepare Workflow JSON for UI-Compatible Export** Code *Logic*
- 7 **Prepare GitLab File Path** Code *Logic*
- 8 **Fetch Existing File from GitLab** Gitlab *Service*
- 9 **Compare Workflow with GitLab Version** If *Logic*
- 10 **Create New File in GitLab** Gitlab *Service*
- 11 **Update Existing File in GitLab** Gitlab *Service*
- 12 **Mark as Unchanged** Set *Logic*
- 13 **Mark as Created** Set *Logic*
- 14 **Mark as Updated** Set *Logic*
- 15 **Merge** Merge *Logic*
- 16 **Normalize Backup Output** Set *Logic*
- 17 **Summarize Backup Results** Code *Logic*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 17, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** GitLab
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own GitLab 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. 17 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 17 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%2Fversion-control-n8n-workflows-in-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.

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

## Workflows like it

Also integrations, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Save your workflows into a GitLab repository** 19 steps · GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/save-your-workflows-into-a-gitlab-repository)
- [**Bind webhook to GitLab project** 9 steps · GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/bind-webhook-to-gitlab-project)
- [**Create an issue on GitLab on every GitHub release** 6 steps · GitHub, GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-an-issue-on-gitlab-on-every-github-release)
- [**Get details of a GitLab repository** 2 steps · GitLab](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/get-details-of-a-gitlab-repository)