n8n Cheat Sheet

More Information: n8n.io | GitHub

Follow: @data_popcorn | linktr.ee/datapopcorn

Version: v2025.04

Download this as infographic here.

Install n8n (Docker Self-Hosting)

Clone Git: self-hosting-all-in-one

Latest Version: docker pull n8n/n8n:latest

Specific Version: docker pull n8n/n8n:0.181.0

Stop Container: sudo docker stop n8n

Remove Container: sudo docker rm n8n

Docker Run:

  • docker run -d —restart unless-stopped —name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n docker.io/n8n/n8n

Interactive Mode: docker run -it —name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n docker.io/n8n/n8n

Persistent Volume: docker volume create n8n_data

Getting Started with Triggers

A typical workflow in n8n consists of a trigger node followed by one or more action nodes. Here’s how it works:

  1. Start: Begin with a trigger node (e.g., a schedule or webhook).
  2. Get Input → Function → Output: Process the data with function nodes or other actions.
  3. Data Transfer: Use nodes like HTTP Request to send or receive data.
  4. When Clicking “Test Workflow”: Test the workflow to see the data flow through the nodes.

Trigger Examples:

  • Webhook URL: WEBHOOK_URL=“https://n8n.example.com/webhook/123”
  • SMTP Host: N8N_SMTP_HOST=“smtp.example.com”
  • SMTP Port: N8N_SMTP_PORT=587
  • SMTP User: N8N_SMTP_USER=“your_user@example.com”
  • SMTP Password: N8N_SMTP_PASS=“your_password”
  • SMTP SSL/TLS: N8N_SMTP_SSL=“true”
  • Time Zone: N8N_TIMEZONE=“Asia/Seoul”
  • Disable Diagnostics: N8N_DIAGNOSTICS_ENABLED=false
  • Disable Base URL: N8N_DISABLE_BASE_URL=“true”
  • Encryption Key: N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=“SOME_RANDOM_STRING”
  • User Folder: N8N_USER_FOLDER=“/home/n8n”
  • Execution Timeout: EXECUTIONS_TIMEOUT=3600
  • Max Execution Time: EXECUTIONS_MAX_TIMEOUT=7200
  • Prometheus Metrics: N8N_METRICS=“true”
  • Custom Extensions: N8N_CUSTOM_EXTENSIONS=“/home/n8n/custom”
  • Custom Path: N8N_CUSTOM_PATH=“/data/n8n/n8n/custom”
  • Run Latest in Background: docker run n8n/n8n:latest

Expressions

Expressions in n8n allow you to dynamically reference data from previous nodes. Here are some examples:

  • Basic: {{ $node[“Snowflake”][“json”][“id”] }}
  • Formatting: {{ $node[“Snowflake”][“json”][“price”] * 100 }}
  • Conditional: {{ $node[“Snowflake”][“json”][“price”] > 100 ? “expensive” : “cheap” }}
  • Built-in Methods: {{ $node[“Snowflake”][“json”][“data”].map(item => item.id) }}
  • Metadata: {{ $execution.id }}, {{ $workflow.name }}
  • Execution: {{ $execution.resumeUrl }}
  • Object: {{ $json[“key”] }}
  • Number: {{ 1 + 2 }}
  • String: {{ “Hello” + ” World” }}

Built-in Nodes

Category

Description

Trigger

Executes workflows at specified time intervals.

Manual

Manually trigger a workflow.

Schedule

Runs workflows on a set schedule.

Form

Collects user input via forms.

Chat

Triggers based on chat or messages.

Webhook

Receives data from external systems via HTTP.

Workflow

Executes when called from other workflows.

Core Nodes

Description

Edit Fields (Set)

Sets or modifies field values.

Remove Duplicates

Removes duplicated data entries.

IF

Branches flow using conditions.

Aggregate

Groups multiple data items.

Split Out

Splits data into individual elements.

Filter

Filters data that meets conditions.

Summarize

Summarizes data counts, averages, etc.

Code

Runs custom JavaScript code.

Merge

Combines two data streams.

Sort

Sorts data by specified criteria.

Limit

Limits the amount of data to output.

Loop

Executes nodes repeatedly.

Wait

Pauses execution for a specified time.

Convert to File

Converts data to a file format.

Extract from File

Extracts data from files.

Compression

Compresses or decompresses files.

Stop and Error

Stops the workflow or generates errors.

HTTP Request

Sends HTTP requests to external APIs.

AI Agent

The AI Agent in n8n processes user requests using predefined tools and memory. It includes:

  • Agent Model: Choose the AI model for processing.
  • User Input/Request: The input provided by the user.
  • Memory: Stores past interactions for context.
  • Tools: Predefined actions the agent can perform.
  • MCP (Multi-Chain Prompting): Guides the agent through complex tasks.
  • Persona Data: Customizes the agent’s behavior or role.
  • External Chat Model: Integrates with external chat models.
  • Memory Buffer: Manages memory for the agent.
  • Agent Context: Provides context for the agent’s actions.

HTTP Request (API)

Make HTTP requests to external APIs using the HTTP Request node:

Import cURL Command:

curl —request GET —url ‘https://api.example.com/data’ —header ‘Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN’ —header ‘Content-Type: application/json’ —data ’{“name”:“Alice”,“email”:“alice@example.com”}‘

Nodes Common Settings

Category

Setting

Description

Parameters

Always Output Data

Returns an empty event even if there’s no output, useful for infinite loops with IF nodes.

Execute Once

Processes only the first item and ignores the rest.

Retry on Fail

On Error Stop

Stops the workflow on error.

On Continue

Retries the node on error, using the last valid data.

Error Workflow

Continues to the next node even on error, passes error info to the next node.

Note

Display Note in Flow

Allows you to add a memo to the node when enabled.

One Click Auto Fill

Displays the note as a subtitle inside the workflow.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Category

Action

Shortcut/Gesture

Control

Create New Workflow

Ctrl + N

Open Workflow

Ctrl + O

Canvas

Save Canvas

Ctrl + S

Redo

Ctrl + Z

Canvas Navigation

Run Workflow

Ctrl + Shift + Z

Move Node View

Ctrl + Left Mouse + Drag

Canvas Nodes

Move Node View

Ctrl + Middle Mouse + Drag

Move Node View

Space + Drag

Canvas Zoom

Zoom In

+ or -

Zoom Out

Ctrl + Mouse Wheel

When Node is Selected

Add Note

Ctrl + V

Paste Note

Shift + S

Node Operations

Select Node Below

↓

Select Node to the Left

←

Select Node to the Right

→

Select Node Above

↑

Copy

Ctrl + C

Cut

Ctrl + X

Delete

Delete

Open

Enter

Panel Operations

Select All Left-side Nodes

Shift + ←

Select All Right-side Nodes

Shift + →

Insert Node

Tab

Close Node Panel

Escape

Expand Category

→

Key Functions for Growth Hacking with n8n

Here’s a cheat sheet list of ways to leverage n8n for growth hacking strategies:

Function

Description

Automate Lead Generation

Use Webhook and HTTP Request nodes to scrape leads from platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter, then store them in a CRM like HubSpot.

Social Media Posting

Schedule posts across multiple platforms (e.g., Twitter, Instagram) using the Schedule node and HTTP Request to APIs.

Email Campaign Automation

Trigger personalized email campaigns via SMTP nodes when users sign up or perform actions, integrating with tools like Mailchimp.

Competitor Analysis

Monitor competitors by pulling data (e.g., pricing, posts) from their websites or APIs using HTTP Request, then analyze trends with Code nodes.

Referral Program Tracking

Track referrals by setting up a Form node to collect user data, then use IF nodes to reward users via email or notifications.

Dynamic Content Personalization

Use expressions and Edit Fields nodes to personalize content for users based on their behavior or demographics.

A/B Testing Automation

Run A/B tests by splitting traffic with IF nodes, then use Summarize nodes to analyze results and optimize campaigns.

Customer Feedback Loop

Collect feedback via Form nodes, process it with AI Agent nodes for sentiment analysis, and send follow-ups via email.

Viral Loop Automation

Create viral loops by triggering invites to new users via email or SMS when a user completes an action, using Loop and Wait nodes.

SEO Monitoring

Use HTTP Request to pull keyword rankings or backlinks from SEO tools, then set alerts via email or Slack for changes.