n8n Workflow: Basic Workflow Template

This n8n workflow serves as a foundational template, demonstrating a variety of core n8n nodes and their potential connections. While the provided JSON defines a collection of nodes, it does not explicitly connect them into a functional flow. This README describes the individual components and their general purpose, which can be combined to build more complex automations.

What it does

This workflow showcases several fundamental n8n nodes, each designed for a specific purpose in an automation pipeline:

• Cron: Triggers the workflow at scheduled intervals (e.g., daily, hourly, specific days).
• Send Email: Sends email notifications.
• Execute Command: Runs shell commands on the n8n host server.
• Function Item: Allows for custom JavaScript code execution to transform or manipulate data.
• HTTP Request: Makes requests to external APIs or web services.
• If: Implements conditional logic to route data based on specified criteria.
• Read Binary File: Reads binary file content from the n8n host server.
• Start: The initial trigger for manual execution or when the workflow is called by another process.
• Write Binary File: Writes binary data to a file on the n8n host server.
• Convert to/from binary data: Facilitates conversion between binary and non-binary data types.
• HTML Extract: Extracts specific data from HTML content using CSS selectors.

Prerequisites/Requirements

• n8n Instance: An active n8n instance to import and run the workflow.
• SMTP Server (for Send Email): If you intend to use the "Send Email" node, you will need access to an SMTP server and its credentials.
• External APIs (for HTTP Request): If utilizing the "HTTP Request" node, access to the target API and any necessary authentication (e.g., API keys, tokens) will be required.
• File System Access (for Read/Write Binary File, Execute Command): The "Read Binary File", "Write Binary File", and "Execute Command" nodes interact with the file system of the server hosting n8n. Ensure appropriate permissions and paths are configured.

Setup/Usage

1. Import the Workflow:

   • In your n8n instance, go to "Workflows".
   • Click "New" or "Import from JSON".
   • Paste the provided JSON content into the import dialog.

2. Configure Nodes:

   • Cron: Set your desired schedule for the workflow to run automatically.
   • Send Email: Configure the SMTP credentials, recipient, sender, subject, and body of the email.
   • Execute Command: Specify the command to be executed. Be cautious when using this node as it can interact with your server's operating system.
   • Function Item: Write your custom JavaScript code to process data as needed.
   • HTTP Request: Define the URL, method (GET, POST, etc.), headers, and body for your API requests.
   • If: Define the conditions for routing data.
   • Read Binary File: Specify the path to the binary file you want to read.
   • Write Binary File: Specify the path and filename for the output binary file.
   • HTML Extract: Provide the HTML content (e.g., from an HTTP Request) and the CSS selectors to extract specific elements.
   • Convert to/from binary data: Configure how you want to handle binary data conversion.

3. Connect Nodes:

   • Currently, the nodes in the provided JSON are not connected. Drag connection lines between the output of one node and the input of another to build your desired automation logic. For example:
     • Connect "Cron" to "HTTP Request" to periodically fetch data.
     • Connect "HTTP Request" to "HTML Extract" to parse the response.
     • Connect "HTML Extract" to "If" to make decisions based on extracted data.
     • Connect "If" (true branch) to "Send Email" to send an alert if a condition is met.

4. Activate the Workflow: Once configured and connected, activate the workflow by toggling the "Active" switch in the top right corner of the workflow editor.