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Credentials Transfer

This workflow is designed to achieve secure and automated credential replication between different instances. Users select the target instance and the credentials to be copied through an interactive form. The system automatically exports, converts, and transmits the credentials via API calls. The process supports feedback for both success and failure, enhancing operational transparency and user experience. It effectively addresses the issues of decentralized credential management and synchronization difficulties, making it suitable for credential synchronization across multiple environments, team collaboration sharing, and bulk credential replication in large-scale deployments.

Workflow Diagram
Credentials Transfer Workflow diagram

Workflow Name

Credentials Transfer

Key Features and Highlights

This workflow enables secure and automated replication of credentials across different n8n instances. Users select the target instance and credentials to be copied via an interactive form. The system automatically exports the credentials, converts their format, and transfers them to the target instance through API calls. The process supports success and failure feedback, enhancing operational transparency and user experience.

Core Problem Addressed

By default, n8n does not provide a convenient way to directly copy credentials across instances, resulting in scattered credential management and synchronization difficulties. This workflow resolves the cumbersome and error-prone credential migration process by enabling seamless credential transfer between multiple instances, ensuring continuity and security of automation workflows.

Use Cases

  • Synchronizing credentials between multiple n8n instances in different environments (e.g., testing, production)
  • Sharing and migrating credentials within team collaboration
  • Bulk copying credentials during large-scale deployments
  • Rapid credential recovery and backup in operations automation

Main Process Steps

  1. User triggers the workflow via the “Credential Transfer” start form
  2. Read and configure available remote n8n instances (name, API key, Base URL)
  3. Dynamically generate a dropdown list for selecting the target instance
  4. Export all local credentials and convert them into JSON format
  5. Dynamically generate a dropdown list of credential names for user selection
  6. Prepare request data based on the selected instance and credentials
  7. Send the credential data to the target instance’s credential API via HTTP POST request
  8. Provide success or failure feedback to the user based on the transfer result

Involved Systems or Services

  • n8n’s native API (credential management interface)
  • n8n CLI tool (for exporting credentials)
  • HTTP request service (for API calls)
  • Form trigger and interactive form nodes (for user interaction)

Target Users and Value

  • n8n administrators and operations personnel: simplifies credential management and migration
  • Automation developers and team collaborators: facilitates easy sharing of required credentials
  • Multi-instance operational environments: ensures credential consistency and automation stability
  • Users who frequently back up, restore, or migrate credentials

This workflow significantly enhances the efficiency and security of credential management in multi-instance environments, empowering users to achieve efficient operation and flexible management of their automation platforms.