Automate NPM package installation and updates for self-hosted environments

Are you looking to install external libraries for your self-hosted N8N instance? This automated workflow makes adding npm packages to your N8N environment quick and effortless.


Beware, this workflow only works on self-hosted instances. What This Workflow Does This solution automatically installs npm packages like axios, cheerio, or node-fetch in your self-hosted N8N Docker container, making them immediately available in Code nodes. Key features

✅ Automated Installation: No manual npm commands needed ✅ Daily Updates: Scheduled trigger keeps packages current ✅ Smart Installation: Only installs missing packages ✅ Multiple Triggers: Manual, scheduled, and on startup of the N8N instance so you can upgrade your N8N version without worrying about external libraries.

How to install and update external libraries automatically Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment Variables Before using external libraries in N8N Code nodes, configure these environment variables in your Docker comppose file. Option A to allow specific external npm packages in N8N Code nodes

NODEFUNCTIONALLOWEXTERNAL=axios,cheerio,node-fetch

Option B to allow all external npm packages in Code nodes

NODEFUNCTIONALLOWEXTERNAL=