n8n-workflow-automation

---
name: n8n-workflow-automation
description: Designs and outputs n8n workflow JSON with robust triggers, idempotency, error handling, logging, retries, and human-in-the-loop review queues. Use when you need an auditable automation that won’t silently fail.
---

# n8n workflow automation with retries, logging, and review queues

## PURPOSE
Designs and outputs n8n workflow JSON with robust triggers, idempotency, error handling, logging, retries, and human-in-the-loop review queues.

## WHEN TO USE
- TRIGGERS:
  - Build an n8n workflow that runs every Monday and emails the compliance summary.
  - Add error handling and retries to this workflow, plus a review queue for failures.
  - Create a webhook workflow that logs every run and writes a status row to a tracker.
  - Make this n8n flow idempotent so it does not duplicate records when it reruns.
  - Instrument this workflow with audit logs and a human approval step.
- DO NOT USE WHEN…
  - You need code-only automation without n8n (use a scripting/CI skill).
  - You need to bypass security controls or hide audit trails.
  - You need to purchase or recommend prohibited items/services.

## INPUTS
- REQUIRED:
  - Workflow intent: trigger type + schedule/timezone + success criteria.
  - Targets: where to write results (email/Drive/Sheet/DB) and required fields.
- OPTIONAL:
  - Existing n8n workflow JSON to modify.
  - Sample payloads / example records.
  - Definition of dedup keys (what makes a record unique).
- EXAMPLES:
  - Cron: Monday 08:00 Europe/London; send summary email + Drive upload
  - Webhook: receive JSON; route to folders

## OUTPUTS
- Default (read-only): a workflow design spec (nodes, data contracts, failure modes).
- If explicitly requested: `workflow.json` (n8n importable JSON) + `runbook.md` (from template).
Success = workflow is idempotent, logs every run, retries safely, and routes failures to a review queue.


## WORKFLOW
1. Clarify trigger:
   - Cron/webhook/manual; schedule/timezone; concurrency ex