n8n Node Configuration

Expert guidance for operation-aware node configuration.

Based on n8n-skills by Romuald Członkowski

Configuration Philosophy

Progressive disclosure: n8n shows only relevant fields based on your selections.

1. Select resource (what to work with)
2. Select operation (what to do)
3. Required fields appear based on operation
4. Optional fields available for customization

Core Concepts

Operation-Aware Configuration

Different operations require different fields:

// Slack: "Send Message" operation
{
  "resource": "message",
  "operation": "post",
  "channel": "#general",    // Required for post
  "text": "Hello!"          // Required for post
}

// Slack: "Update Message" operation
{
  "resource": "message",
  "operation": "update",
  "channel": "#general",    // Required
  "ts": "1234567890.123456", // Required for update (timestamp)
  "text": "Updated text"
}

Property Dependencies

Fields appear/disappear based on other values:

// HTTP Request node dependencies
sendBody: true
  → reveals: contentType

contentType: "json"
  → reveals: specifyBody

specifyBody: "json"
  → reveals: jsonBody

Common Node Patterns

HTTP Request Node

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
  "parameters": {
    "method": "POST",
    "url": "https://api.example.com/data",
    "authentication": "predefinedCredentialType",
    "sendHeaders": true,
    "headerParameters": {
      "parameters": [
        { "name": "Authorization", "value": "Bearer {{ $json.token }}" }
      ]
    },
    "sendBody": true,
    "contentType": "json",
    "specifyBody": "json",
    "jsonBody": "={{ JSON.stringify($json.data) }}"
  }
}

Webhook Node

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
  "parameters": {
    "path": "my-webhook",
    "httpMethod": "POST",
    "responseMode": "responseNode",
    "options": {
      "rawBody": true
    }
  }
}

Slack Node

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.slack",
  "parameters": {
    "resource": "message",
    "operation": "post",
    "channel": { "mode": "id", "value": "C1234567890" },
    "text": "Hello from n8n!",
    "otherOptions": {
      "mrkdwn": true
    }
  }
}

PostgreSQL Node

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.postgres",
  "parameters": {
    "operation": "executeQuery",
    "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE status = $1",
    "options": {
      "queryParams": "={{ $json.status }}"
    }
  }
}

IF Node

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
  "parameters": {
    "conditions": {
      "options": {
        "combinator": "and"
      },
      "conditions": [
        {
          "leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
          "rightValue": "active",
          "operator": { "type": "string", "operation": "equals" }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Set Node

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
  "parameters": {
    "mode": "manual",
    "assignments": {
      "assignments": [
        { "name": "fullName", "value": "={{ $json.firstName }} {{ $json.lastName }}" },
        { "name": "createdAt", "value": "={{ $now.toISO() }}" }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Code Node (JavaScript)

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
  "parameters": {
    "mode": "runOnceForAllItems",
    "jsCode": "const items = $input.all();\nreturn items.map(item => ({\n  json: {\n    processed: true,\n    data: item.json\n  }\n}));"
  }
}

Schedule Trigger

{
  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
  "parameters": {
    "rule": {
      "interval": [{ "field": "hours", "value": 1 }]
    }
  }
}

OpenAI Node

{
  "type": "@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.openAi",
  "parameters": {
    "resource": "chat",
    "operation": "complete",
    "modelId": "gpt-4",
    "messages": {
      "values": [
        { "role": "user", "content": "={{ $json.prompt }}" }
      ]
    },
    "options": {
      "temperature": 0.7,
      "maxTokens": 1000
    }
  }
}

AI Workflow Configuration

AI Agent Setup

{
  "type": "@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent",
  "parameters": {
    "agent": "conversationalAgent",
    "options": {
      "systemMessage": "You are a helpful assistant."
    }
  }
}

Connection Types

Configuration Anti-Patterns

❌ Don't

// Hardcode secrets
{ "apiKey": "sk-1234..." }

// Skip authentication setup
{ "authentication": "none" }  // when auth is needed

// Use unsafe queries
{ "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = '" + $json.id + "'" }

✅ Do

// Use credentials
{ "authentication": "predefinedCredentialType" }

// Parameterized queries
{ "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $1" }

// Use expressions safely
{ "value": "={{ $json.data }}" }

Best Practices

1. Start with required fields - Configure the essential parameters first
2. Test incrementally - Validate after each major change
3. Use credentials - Never hardcode API keys
4. Name nodes clearly - "Fetch User Data" not "HTTP Request 1"
5. Handle errors - Configure onError behavior
6. Document with sticky notes - Explain complex configurations

Quick Reference

Based on n8n-skills by Romuald Członkowski • Adapted for Moltbot by fazer.ai