Transfer workflows with credentials & sub-workflow management between n8n instances

This workflow contains community nodes that are only compatible with the self-hosted version of n8n.

Export Workflows Between n8n Instances Copy workflows between n8n instances — with optional credential export and automatic sub-workflow adjustments.

🧠 How it Works This workflow copies a selected workflow from a SOURCE n8n server to a TARGET server and guides you through safe checks:

- Name conflict check: If a workflow with the same name exists on the target the export is stopped. - Sub-workflows: Detects calls to sub-workflows. - If all sub-workflows exist on the target (same names), references are auto-updated and the export continues. - If any are missing, the form shows what’s missing and lets you cancel or proceed anyway. - Credentials: Detects nodes using credentials and lets you export those credentials along with the workflow. - The workflow can only apply credential corrections for the credentials that you choose to export with it. - At the end, the form lists which credentials were successfully exported.

💡 For in-depth behavior and edge cases, see the Notes inside the workflow (Setup, How It Works, and Credential Issues).

🚀 How to Use 1. Run this workflow on your SOURCE server. 2. Follow the step-by-step form: pick the workflow to export, choose whether to include credentials, and review sub-workflow checks. Done.

⚙️ Setup - Create an n8n API key on both servers (SOURCE and TARGET). - On the SOURCE server, create two n8n API credentials in n8n: one for SOURCE and one for TARGET (using the respective base URL and key). - Configure the nodes in this workflow with these two credentials. - Detailed step-by-step instructions are available in the workflow notes.

✅ Once configured, you’ll be ready to migrate workflows between servers in just a few clicks.