AutomationFlowsDevOps › Save Your Workflows Into a Gitlab Repository

Save Your Workflows Into a Gitlab Repository

ByJulien DEL RIO @juliendelrio on n8n.io

This template is inspired by Save your workflows into a GitHub repository by hikerspath and Back Up Your n8n Workflows To Github by jon-n8n.

Event trigger★★★★☆ complexity21 nodesGitLabn8n
DevOps Trigger: Event Nodes: 21 Complexity: ★★★★☆ Added:

This workflow corresponds to n8n.io template #2385 — we link there as the canonical source.

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 →

Download .json
{
  "meta": {
    "templateCredsSetupCompleted": true
  },
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "9800aaf1-f330-4898-8da7-e60667ab9597",
      "name": "When clicking \"Test Workflow\"",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
      "position": [
        880,
        360
      ],
      "parameters": {},
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "2772836c-7e75-4d99-a130-f249a3868843",
      "name": "Globals",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "position": [
        1100,
        360
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "fields": {
          "values": [
            {
              "name": "repo.owner",
              "stringValue": "owner-slug"
            },
            {
              "name": "repo.name",
              "stringValue": "repo-slug"
            },
            {
              "name": "repo.branch",
              "stringValue": "branch-slug"
            },
            {
              "name": "repo.path",
              "stringValue": "path"
            }
          ]
        },
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3.2
    },
    {
      "id": "21c87038-3b5f-4ff8-88f2-7dde7f92af17",
      "name": "Result",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
      "position": [
        1700,
        80
      ],
      "parameters": {},
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "ff6c0a0a-3a2e-4eb7-9eac-1b6986dee524",
      "name": "Current workflow",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
      "position": [
        1720,
        460
      ],
      "parameters": {},
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "d8e48d3c-6df9-4662-b06b-27572182c28d",
      "name": "Loop Over Workflows",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.splitInBatches",
      "position": [
        1500,
        360
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3
    },
    {
      "id": "01d1d850-f0e9-4f7d-877a-78cbec050d6e",
      "name": "Get file",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.gitlab",
      "onError": "continueErrorOutput",
      "position": [
        1960,
        460
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "owner": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.owner }}",
        "filePath": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.path }}{{ $json.id }}.json",
        "resource": "file",
        "operation": "get",
        "repository": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.name }}",
        "binaryPropertyName": "file-from-gitlab",
        "additionalParameters": {
          "reference": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.branch }}"
        }
      },
      "credentials": {
        "gitlabApi": {
          "name": "<your credential>"
        }
      },
      "executeOnce": true,
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "alwaysOutputData": false
    },
    {
      "id": "1cc2e4b6-8143-4d11-8898-78521e2b0170",
      "name": "File status",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
      "position": [
        2620,
        440
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "mode": "runOnceForEachItem",
        "jsCode": "var item = $json;\n\n// Check first if is error\nif (item.error) {\n  if (\"The resource you are requesting could not be found\" == item.error) {\n    item[\"status\"] = \"new\";\n  } else {\n    item[\"status\"] = \"error\";\n  }\n  return $input.item;\n}\n\n// If not error check file with saved version\nvar workflowFromN8n = item[\"workflow-from-n8n\"];\nvar workflowFromGitlab = item[\"workflow-from-gitlab\"];\nvar areEquals = objectsAreEquals(workflowFromN8n, workflowFromGitlab);\n\nif (areEquals) {\n  item[\"status\"] = \"same\";\n} else {\n  item[\"status\"] = \"diff\";\n}\n\n// Return Item\nreturn item;\n\n/**\n * Compare to objects\n * @param object1 \n * @param object2 \n * @returns true if the are the same without ignored fields\n */\nfunction objectsAreEquals(object1, object2) {\n  const objectKeys1 = Object.keys(object1);\n  const objectKeys2 = Object.keys(object2);\n\n  // If the numbers of fields are differents, the objects are differents\n  if (objectKeys1.length !== objectKeys2.length) {\n    return false;\n  }\n  for (const key of objectKeys1) {\n    // Define some fields to be ignored\n    var ignoreCurrent = false;\n    switch (key) {\n      case \"updatedAt\": // Changed because workflow change... not usefull\n      case \"global\": // changed for running reasons, no need to check\n        ignoreCurrent = true;\n    }\n\n    // If it's not an ignored field\n    if (!ignoreCurrent) {\n      const value1 = object1[key];\n      const value2 = object2[key];\n      const isBothAreObjects = isObject(value1) && isObject(value2);\n\n      // If it's objects recursive check\n      if (isBothAreObjects && !objectsAreEquals(value1, value2)) {\n        return false;\n      }\n\n      // If it's not objects, just compare values\n      if (!isBothAreObjects && value1 != value2) {\n        return false;\n      }\n    }\n  }\n  return true;\n}\n\n/**\n * Tool function to determine if an parameter is an object\n * @param object \n * @returns \n */\nfunction isObject(object) {\n  return object !== null && typeof object === \"object\";\n}\n"
      },
      "typeVersion": 2
    },
    {
      "id": "8e428b8a-6ac3-47c6-aa53-7a461fcaab0c",
      "name": "Status error",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "position": [
        3360,
        640
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "fields": {
          "values": [
            {
              "name": "name",
              "stringValue": "={{ $('Current workflow').item.json.name }}"
            },
            {
              "name": "status",
              "stringValue": "=Error : {{ $json.error }}"
            }
          ]
        },
        "include": "none",
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3.2
    },
    {
      "id": "9007c9ae-bac0-4c65-9d50-c63d3a20f49c",
      "name": "End Loop",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
      "position": [
        3600,
        420
      ],
      "parameters": {},
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "ac768b04-fa1f-4cef-8c7c-61508bb46bfc",
      "name": "Create file",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.gitlab",
      "onError": "continueErrorOutput",
      "position": [
        3100,
        140
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "owner": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.owner }}",
        "branch": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.branch }}",
        "filePath": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.path }}{{ $json.id }}.json",
        "resource": "file",
        "repository": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.name }}",
        "fileContent": "={{ JSON.stringify($('Current workflow').item.json, null, 4) }}",
        "commitMessage": "=Create file for workflow {{ $('Current workflow').item.json.name }}",
        "additionalParameters": {
          "author": {
            "name": "n8n",
            "email": "user@example.com"
          }
        }
      },
      "credentials": {
        "gitlabApi": {
          "name": "<your credential>"
        }
      },
      "executeOnce": true,
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "alwaysOutputData": false
    },
    {
      "id": "17d32e40-56c1-46e1-b7a6-0438adf5069c",
      "name": "Extract From File",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.extractFromFile",
      "position": [
        2180,
        360
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "options": {},
        "operation": "fromJson",
        "destinationKey": "workflow-from-gitlab",
        "binaryPropertyName": "file-from-gitlab"
      },
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "51a50508-bfe2-4a70-aa77-420c2f7d6ae1",
      "name": "Switch",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.switch",
      "position": [
        2880,
        440
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "rules": {
          "values": [
            {
              "outputKey": "new",
              "conditions": {
                "options": {
                  "leftValue": "",
                  "caseSensitive": true,
                  "typeValidation": "strict"
                },
                "combinator": "and",
                "conditions": [
                  {
                    "operator": {
                      "type": "string",
                      "operation": "equals"
                    },
                    "leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
                    "rightValue": "new"
                  }
                ]
              },
              "renameOutput": true
            },
            {
              "outputKey": "same",
              "conditions": {
                "options": {
                  "leftValue": "",
                  "caseSensitive": true,
                  "typeValidation": "strict"
                },
                "combinator": "and",
                "conditions": [
                  {
                    "id": "0ff6e053-e89d-49fa-b8c8-3a51ffe016d8",
                    "operator": {
                      "name": "filter.operator.equals",
                      "type": "string",
                      "operation": "equals"
                    },
                    "leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
                    "rightValue": "same"
                  }
                ]
              },
              "renameOutput": true
            },
            {
              "outputKey": "diff",
              "conditions": {
                "options": {
                  "leftValue": "",
                  "caseSensitive": true,
                  "typeValidation": "strict"
                },
                "combinator": "and",
                "conditions": [
                  {
                    "id": "b6b954c3-e74c-4f60-8e9e-ac79d4b741f3",
                    "operator": {
                      "name": "filter.operator.equals",
                      "type": "string",
                      "operation": "equals"
                    },
                    "leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
                    "rightValue": "diff"
                  }
                ]
              },
              "renameOutput": true
            }
          ]
        },
        "options": {
          "fallbackOutput": "extra",
          "renameFallbackOutput": "error"
        }
      },
      "typeVersion": 3
    },
    {
      "id": "4a71677b-2c35-40b3-a45c-320e0779a949",
      "name": "New file version",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.gitlab",
      "onError": "continueErrorOutput",
      "position": [
        3100,
        300
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "owner": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.owner }}",
        "branch": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.branch }}",
        "filePath": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.path }}{{ $json['workflow-from-n8n'].id }}.json",
        "resource": "file",
        "operation": "edit",
        "repository": "={{ $('Globals').first().json.repo.name }}",
        "fileContent": "={{ JSON.stringify($json['workflow-from-n8n'], null, 4) }}",
        "commitMessage": "=New file version for workflow {{ $json['workflow-from-n8n'].name }}"
      },
      "credentials": {
        "gitlabApi": {
          "name": "<your credential>"
        }
      },
      "executeOnce": true,
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "alwaysOutputData": false
    },
    {
      "id": "a2d22bb4-ff42-41c5-8ef9-6214f114275e",
      "name": "Error output to normal output",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
      "position": [
        2180,
        560
      ],
      "parameters": {},
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "c1932cee-dcb4-4f32-8eff-7ded3558ba53",
      "name": "Status new",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "position": [
        3360,
        120
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "fields": {
          "values": [
            {
              "name": "name",
              "stringValue": "={{ $('Current workflow').item.json.name }}"
            },
            {
              "name": "status",
              "stringValue": "new"
            }
          ]
        },
        "include": "none",
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3.2
    },
    {
      "id": "769cf25b-311a-4aaa-9eb8-5c9616f91beb",
      "name": "Status diff",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "position": [
        3360,
        280
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "fields": {
          "values": [
            {
              "name": "name",
              "stringValue": "={{ $('Current workflow').item.json.name }}"
            },
            {
              "name": "status",
              "stringValue": "diff"
            }
          ]
        },
        "include": "none",
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3.2
    },
    {
      "id": "3089818c-0020-4d13-864e-6f04b6ea9d91",
      "name": "Status same",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "position": [
        3360,
        420
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "fields": {
          "values": [
            {
              "name": "name",
              "stringValue": "={{ $('Current workflow').item.json.name }}"
            },
            {
              "name": "status",
              "stringValue": "same"
            }
          ]
        },
        "include": "none",
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3.2
    },
    {
      "id": "7fcffb00-2177-49b9-b0ee-7ccec076814d",
      "name": "Sticky Note",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
      "position": [
        1920,
        160
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "width": 839.0943396226413,
        "height": 587.9245283018865,
        "content": "## Check file\nGet the file.\nUse error output as normal output.\nSome code to analyse the file and set a status."
      },
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "1c0eff6a-e469-41bd-890c-76bc760a2b4e",
      "name": "Sticky Note1",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
      "position": [
        2860,
        14
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "width": 720.3234501347711,
        "height": 806.2533692722375,
        "content": "## Save the data\nSave the data as new or edited file, ignored or note as error."
      },
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "a02c50c9-fe6c-4c90-93ee-dc82b8fb3abe",
      "name": "Retrieve all workflows",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.n8n",
      "position": [
        1300,
        360
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "filters": {}
      },
      "credentials": {
        "n8nApi": {
          "name": "<your credential>"
        }
      },
      "typeVersion": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "ee96caf2-bf4d-4d10-a6bc-0a30ec9c9db8",
      "name": "Save each version in a different field",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "position": [
        2400,
        360
      ],
      "parameters": {
        "fields": {
          "values": [
            {
              "name": "workflow-from-gitlab",
              "type": "objectValue",
              "objectValue": "={{ $json['workflow-from-gitlab'] }}"
            },
            {
              "name": "workflow-from-n8n",
              "type": "objectValue",
              "objectValue": "={{ $('Current workflow').item.json }}"
            }
          ]
        },
        "options": {}
      },
      "typeVersion": 3.2
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Switch": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Create file",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ],
        [
          {
            "node": "Status same",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ],
        [
          {
            "node": "New file version",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ],
        [
          {
            "node": "Status error",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Globals": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Retrieve all workflows",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "End Loop": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Loop Over Workflows",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Get file": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Extract From File",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ],
        [
          {
            "node": "Error output to normal output",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Status new": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "End Loop",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Create file": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Status new",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ],
        [
          {
            "node": "Status error",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "File status": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Switch",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Status diff": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "End Loop",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Status same": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "End Loop",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Status error": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "End Loop",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Current workflow": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Get file",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "New file version": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Status diff",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ],
        [
          {
            "node": "Status error",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Extract From File": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Save each version in a different field",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Loop Over Workflows": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Result",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ],
        [
          {
            "node": "Current workflow",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Retrieve all workflows": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Loop Over Workflows",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Error output to normal output": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "File status",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "When clicking \"Test Workflow\"": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Globals",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Save each version in a different field": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "File status",
            "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.

Pro

For the full experience including quality scoring and batch install features for each workflow upgrade to Pro

About this workflow

This template is inspired by Save your workflows into a GitHub repository by hikerspath and Back Up Your n8n Workflows To Github by jon-n8n.

Source: https://n8n.io/workflows/2385/ — original creator credit. Request a take-down →

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