The workflow JSON
Copy or download the full n8n JSON below. Paste it into a new n8n workflow, add your credentials, activate. Full import guide →
{
"nodes": [
{
"id": "4ca55c6e-cf2e-4239-82a9-88d0a201e761",
"name": "List upgradable packages",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.ssh",
"notes": "apt list --upgradable",
"position": [
-280,
0
],
"parameters": {
"command": "apt list --upgradable"
},
"credentials": {
"sshPassword": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"notesInFlow": true,
"typeVersion": 1,
"alwaysOutputData": false
},
{
"id": "ae1f0a55-31aa-494b-baa6-822dc606188e",
"name": "Send Email through SMTP",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.emailSend",
"position": [
380,
0
],
"parameters": {
"html": "=The following packages can be updated on your server:\n\n{{ $json.htmlList }}\n\nPlease login and perform upgrade.",
"options": {},
"subject": "Server needs updates",
"toEmail": "change.me@example.com",
"fromEmail": "change.me@example.com"
},
"credentials": {
"smtp": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.1
},
{
"id": "e1d76671-d94c-40d5-9364-623db9319f11",
"name": "Run workflow every day",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
"position": [
-540,
0
],
"parameters": {
"rule": {
"interval": [
{}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 1.2
},
{
"id": "ec4d722a-b88c-42da-971c-28ad5774596d",
"name": "Format as HTML list",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
-60,
0
],
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "function formatStdoutAsHtmlList(stdoutData) {\n\n // Split the stdout into lines and map to HTML list items\n const htmlListItems = stdoutData.split('\\n').map((line) => {\n if (line.trim() && line !== \"Listing...\") { // Optionally skip empty lines or headers\n return `<li>${line.trim()}</li>`;\n }\n }).filter(item => item); // Remove any undefined items due to empty lines or skipped headers\n\n // Wrap the list items in a <ul> tag\n const htmlList = `<ul>${htmlListItems.join('')}</ul>`;\n\n // Return the formatted HTML list as part of an object\n return { \"htmlList\": htmlList };\n}\n\nreturn formatStdoutAsHtmlList($input.first().json.stdout);"
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "6f14eb02-c505-4f83-a5bb-68094e763fd9",
"name": "Check if there are updates",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"position": [
140,
0
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"conditions": {
"options": {
"version": 2,
"leftValue": "",
"caseSensitive": true,
"typeValidation": "strict"
},
"combinator": "and",
"conditions": [
{
"id": "db66d892-26fb-406c-a0ac-2e4b8a60310a",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "notEquals"
},
"leftValue": "={{ $json.htmlList }}",
"rightValue": "<ul></ul>"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.2
},
{
"id": "3924c696-5b0e-4ae2-b2e2-435fed344028",
"name": "Sticky Note",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-740,
-180
],
"parameters": {
"width": 300,
"content": "## VPS upgrade notify \nThis workflow will everyday check if server has upgradable packages and inform you by email if there is."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "bb8ade2a-4ffe-4c79-91eb-55af568eb1b1",
"name": "Sticky Note1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
380,
-180
],
"parameters": {
"width": 300,
"content": "## Update email addresses\nUpdate From and To email addresses in this node to receive notifications"
},
"typeVersion": 1
}
],
"connections": {
"Format as HTML list": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Check if there are updates",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Run workflow every day": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "List upgradable packages",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Send Email through SMTP": {
"main": [
[]
]
},
"List upgradable packages": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Format as HTML list",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Check if there are updates": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Send Email through SMTP",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
}
}
}
Credentials you'll need
Each integration node will prompt for credentials when you import. We strip credential IDs before publishing — you'll add your own.
smtpsshPassword
About this workflow
Code Schedule. Uses ssh, emailSend, scheduleTrigger, stickyNote. Scheduled trigger; 7 nodes.
Source: https://github.com/Zie619/n8n-workflows — original creator credit. Request a take-down →