n8n Workflow: Basic Scheduled HTTP Request with Filtering

This n8n workflow demonstrates a fundamental automation pattern: making a scheduled HTTP request, processing the response, and then filtering the results based on a condition. It's a versatile template for fetching data from an API at regular intervals and acting upon specific data points.

What it does

This workflow is designed to:

1. Trigger on a Schedule: Initiates the workflow at predefined intervals (e.g., every hour, daily, etc.).
2. Make an HTTP Request: Fetches data from a specified API endpoint. This node acts as the primary data source for the workflow.
3. Edit Fields (Set): Allows for modification, addition, or removal of fields from the incoming data. This can be used for data preparation or transformation before further processing.
4. Filter Data: Evaluates the processed data against a defined condition. Only items that meet the condition will proceed to the next steps in the workflow.

Prerequisites/Requirements

• An n8n instance (self-hosted or cloud).
• Access to an API endpoint that you wish to query.
• No external credentials are explicitly required by the current JSON, but the HTTP Request node will likely need configuration for the target API (URL, method, headers, authentication, etc.).

Setup/Usage

1. Import the workflow:
   • Copy the provided JSON code.
   • In your n8n instance, go to "Workflows" and click "New".
   • Click the three dots menu (...) in the top right, select "Import from JSON", and paste the code.
2. Configure the Schedule Trigger:
   • Open the "Schedule Trigger" node.
   • Set your desired interval for the workflow to run (e.g., every 5 minutes, daily at 9 AM).
3. Configure the HTTP Request Node:
   • Open the "HTTP Request" node.
   • Enter the URL of the API endpoint you want to call.
   • Select the appropriate HTTP Method (e.g., GET, POST).
   • Configure any necessary Headers (e.g., Content-Type, Authorization for API keys).
   • If the API requires authentication, set up the Authentication method (e.g., API Key, OAuth2, Basic Auth).
   • If sending data, configure the Body of the request.
4. Configure the Edit Fields (Set) Node:
   • Open the "Edit Fields" node.
   • Add or modify fields as needed to transform the data received from the HTTP request. This could involve renaming fields, combining values, or extracting specific data points.
5. Configure the Filter Node:
   • Open the "Filter" node.
   • Define the Condition that items must meet to pass through the filter. For example, you might filter based on a value in the API response (e.g., {{ $json.status === 'active' }} or {{ $json.amount > 100 }}).
6. Activate the Workflow:
   • Once all nodes are configured, save the workflow and activate it using the toggle in the top right corner.

This workflow serves as a robust starting point for any automation that involves regularly fetching and conditionally processing data from an API.