n8n Cheat Sheet

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.