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n8n Automation Workflows

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Complete Setup Guide for Python Asset Management

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Overview

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Workflow 1: GitHub → Airtable Sync (Hourly)

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Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Workflow in n8n
   • Dashboard → Click “Create new workflow”
   • Name: “GitHub → Airtable Sync”
2. Add Trigger Node
   • Click ”+” to add node
   • Search: “Cron”
   • Set: “Every hour” (or your preference)
3. Add GitHub Integration Node
   • Click ”+” → Search “GitHub”
   • Connect to your GitHub account
   • Set operation: “Get Repository”
   • For each tool in your org:
     • Input: Repository = “async-retry” (example)
     • Extract: stars, forks, watchers, last commit date, open issues
4. Add Airtable Update Node
   • Click ”+” → Search “Airtable”
   • Connect to your Airtable workspace
   • Set operation: “Update Record”
   • Map fields:
     Copy

     GitHub URL → GitHub URL field
     Stars → GitHub Stars field
     Last Commit → Last Updated field
     Forks → Forks field
     Open Issues → Open Issues field
     
5. Add Slack Notification (Optional)
   • Click ”+” → Search “Slack”
   • Send message: ”✅ Updated X tools in Airtable”
6. Save & Activate
   • Click Save
   • Click “Activate” toggle

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Workflow JSON Template

{
  "name": "GitHub → Airtable Sync",
  "nodes": [
    {
      "name": "Cron Trigger",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.cron",
      "parameters": {
        "rule": {
          "interval": [1, "hours"]
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Loop Through Tools",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.function",
      "parameters": {
        "functionCode": "// Get all tools from Airtable first\nreturn [\n  {name: 'async-retry', repo: 'async-retry'},\n  {name: 'concur', repo: 'concur'},\n  // ... add all 50+ tools\n];"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Get GitHub Data",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-github-oauth.github",
      "parameters": {
        "resource": "repository",
        "operation": "get",
        "owner": "yourname-tools",
        "repository": "{{ $node['Loop Through Tools'].json.body[0].repo }}"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Update Airtable",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.airtable",
      "parameters": {
        "resource": "record",
        "operation": "update",
        "base": "appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX", // Your Airtable base ID
        "table": "Tool Inventory",
        "id": "{{ $node['Get GitHub Data'].json.body.id }}",
        "fieldsToUpdate": {
          "Stars": "{{ $node['Get GitHub Data'].json.body.stargazers_count }}",
          "Last Updated": "{{ $now.toISOString() }}"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

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Workflow 2: New Release → PyPI + Slack

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Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Workflow
   • Name: “Release → Notification”
2. Add Webhook Trigger
   • Click ”+” → Search “GitHub”
   • Click “GitHub” → Connect account
   • Select “Trigger” type
   • Choose: “Webhook”
   • Event: “Release”
3. Extract Release Data
   • Add node: “Function”
   • Extract tag version, repo name, release notes
   • Code:
   Copy

   return {
     version: $node['GitHub Webhook'].json.body.release.tag_name,
     repo: $node['GitHub Webhook'].json.body.repository.name,
     notes: $node['GitHub Webhook'].json.body.release.body
   };
   
4. Update Airtable
   • Add “Airtable” node
   • Operation: “Update Record”
   • Find tool by GitHub URL
   • Update:
     • “Last Updated” → Today
     • “Status” → “Production”
     • “Version” → Release tag
5. Post to Slack
   • Add “Slack” node
   • Post to #announcements
   • Message template:
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    🚀 Released `{{$node['Extract Data'].json.body.repo}}` v`{{$node['Extract Data'].json.body.version}}`
    
    `{{$node['Extract Data'].json.body.notes}}`
    
    Install: pip install `{{$node['Extract Data'].json.body.repo}}`
    Docs: https://docs.yourname.dev/`{{$node['Extract Data'].json.body.repo}}`
    GitHub: `{{$node['GitHub Webhook'].json.body.repository.html_url}}`
   
6. Post to Twitter (Optional)
   • Add “Twitter” node
   • Same message (shortened for 280 chars)
7. Save & Activate

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Workflow 3: Weekly Stats Report

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Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Workflow
   • Name: “Weekly Summary Report”
2. Add Cron Trigger
   • Set: “Every Monday at 09:00”
3. Query Airtable
   • Add “Airtable” node
   • Operation: “Search Records”
   • Filters:
     • Status contains “Production”
     • Status contains “Beta”
     • Status contains “Concept”
   • Extract all records
4. Calculate Stats
   • Add “Function” node
   • Calculate:
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     const tools = $node['Get Tools'].json.body;
     
     const stats = {
       total: tools.length,
       production: tools.filter(t => t.fields.Status === 'Production').length,
       beta: tools.filter(t => t.fields.Status === 'Beta').length,
       concept: tools.filter(t => t.fields.Status === 'Concept').length,
       avgStars: (tools.reduce((sum, t) => sum + (t.fields['GitHub Stars'] || 0), 0) / tools.length).toFixed(1),
       docsCoverage: (tools.filter(t => t.fields['Docs %'] >= 80).length / tools.length * 100).toFixed(0)
     };
     
     return stats;
     
5. Post to Slack
   • Message template:
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    📊 Weekly Python Assets Report
    
    Total Tools: `{{$node['Calculate Stats'].json.body.total}}`
    • Production: `{{$node['Calculate Stats'].json.body.production}}`
    • Beta: `{{$node['Calculate Stats'].json.body.beta}}`
    • Concept: `{{$node['Calculate Stats'].json.body.concept}}`
    
    Average Stars: `{{$node['Calculate Stats'].json.body.avgStars}}`
    Docs Coverage: `{{$node['Calculate Stats'].json.body.docsCoverage}}`%
   
   🎯 Next steps: Review 3 tools needing doc updates
   
6. Send Email (Optional)
   • Add “Send Email” node
   • Same message, formatted as email
   • Send to: your email

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Workflow 4: Tool Milestone Alerts

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Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Workflow
   • Name: “Milestone Alerts”
2. Add Cron Trigger
   • Set: “Every day at 08:00”
3. Get Tool Data from Airtable
   • Add “Airtable” node
   • Operation: “Get All Records”
   • Get all tools with stars
4. Check for Milestones
   • Add “Function” node
   • Check if any tool crossed a threshold:
   Copy

   const tools = $node['Get Tools'].json.body;
   const milestones = [];
   
   tools.forEach(tool => {
     const stars = tool.fields['GitHub Stars'] || 0;
     const downloads = tool.fields['PyPI Downloads'] || 0;
     
     // Check milestones
     if (stars === 100 || stars === 500 || stars === 1000) {
       milestones.push({
         name: tool.fields['Tool Name'],
         type: 'stars',
         value: stars
       });
     }
     if (downloads === 1000 || downloads === 10000) {
       milestones.push({
         name: tool.fields['Tool Name'],
         type: 'downloads',
         value: downloads
       });
     }
   });
   
   return milestones;
   
5. Post to Slack (if milestones found)
   • Add “Slack” node with condition:
   • Only run if milestones.length > 0
   • Message:
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    🌟 Milestone Alert!
    
    `{{$node['Check Milestones'].json.body.map(m => 
      `${m.name} reached ${m.value} ${m.type}!`
    ).join('\n')}}`
   
   💡 Idea: Write a blog post celebrating this! 🎉
   

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Workflow 5: Auto-Sync New Tool to GitHub

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Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Workflow
   • Name: “New Tool → GitHub Repo”
2. Add Airtable Webhook
   • In Airtable: Automations → Webhooks
   • Event: “Record created in Tool Inventory”
   • Webhook URL: Copy from n8n
3. Create GitHub Repository
   • Add “GitHub” node
   • Operation: “Create Repository”
   • Input:
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      name: `{{$node['Airtable Webhook'].json.body.fields['Tool Name']}}`
      description: `{{$node['Airtable Webhook'].json.body.fields['Purpose']}}`
     org: yourname-tools
     private: false
     
4. Add Repository Template Files
   • Add “GitHub” node (for each file)
   • Operation: “Create File”
   • Files to create:
     • README.md (with tool name + purpose)
     • pyproject.toml (template)
     • .github/workflows/publish.yml
     • src/module_name/init.py
     • tests/test_basic.py
     • docs/index.md
5. Update Airtable with Repo URL
   • Add “Airtable” node
   • Operation: “Update Record”
   • Update: “GitHub URL” field with new repo URL
6. Post Slack Confirmation
   • Message: ”✅ Created repo for {{$node['Airtable Webhook'].json.body.fields['Tool Name']}}”

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Workflow 6: PyPI Download Tracker

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Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Workflow
   • Name: “PyPI Stats Tracker”
2. Add Cron Trigger
   • Set: “Every day at 10:00”
3. Get Tools from Airtable
   • Add “Airtable” node
   • Operation: “Search Records”
   • Filter: Status = “Production”
4. Query PyPI API
   • For each tool, call PyPI JSON API
   • Add “HTTP Request” node
   • URL: https://pypi.org/pypi/{{tool_name}}/json
   • Extract: stats.last_month downloads
5. Update Airtable
   • Add “Airtable” node
   • Update “PyPI Downloads” field
   • Update “Last Stats Check” date
6. Post Growth Report (Optional)
   • Compare to last week
   • Post top gainers to Slack

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How to Use These Workflows

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Step 1: Set Up n8n

# Use n8n Cloud (easiest)
# Go to n8n.cloud and sign up
# OR self-host:
docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 \
  -e N8N_USER_EMAIL=you@example.com \
  -e N8N_USER_PASSWORD=password \
  n8nio/n8n

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Step 2: Connect Accounts

• GitHub: Create OAuth app, connect
• Airtable: Generate API token, add
• Slack: Create app, add webhook
• Twitter: Create API app, connect
• Email: Add SMTP credentials

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Step 3: Import Workflows

• Copy JSON templates above
• In n8n: File → Import → Paste JSON
• Update variables (tool names, IDs, etc.)
• Activate each workflow

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Step 4: Test

• Run each workflow manually first
• Check Airtable + Slack for correct output
• Then activate for scheduled runs

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Variables & Configuration

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Airtable Base ID

Found in: https://airtable.com/appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Copy: appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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GitHub Organization

yourname-tools
(update in all workflows)

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Slack Webhook URL

https://hooks.slack.com/services/YOUR/WEBHOOK/URL
(from Slack App settings)

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PyPI Package Names

Must match exactly:
async-retry (not async_retry)
concur (not concur-lib)
etc.

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Troubleshooting

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Airtable not updating?

• Check: API token is valid
• Check: Base ID is correct
• Check: Field names match exactly (case-sensitive)
• Check: Record ID is correct

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GitHub not syncing?

• Check: OAuth credentials are valid
• Check: Repo exists in your org
• Check: API rate limits (60 req/hr for unauthenticated)

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Slack notifications not posting?

• Check: Webhook URL is valid
• Check: Slack app has permissions
• Check: Channel exists and bot is invited

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Workflow running but no output?

• Click workflow → “Executions” tab
• Check error logs
• Click “Debug” to trace execution

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Performance Tips

1. Rate Limiting: GitHub API has 60 req/hour for basic auth
   • Solution: Batch queries, use pagination
   • Or: Reduce frequency (sync every 3 hours instead of 1)
2. Cost Optimization: Airtable is free up to 1,200 records
   • Solution: Archive old/deprecated tools
   • Solution: Use separate base for archival
3. Execution Time: Long workflows can timeout
   • Solution: Split into smaller workflows
   • Solution: Use n8n’s “Trigger” node instead of Function calls

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Next Steps

1. Start with Workflow 1 (GitHub → Airtable sync)
   • This is the foundation
   • Once working, build others on top
2. Add Workflow 2 (Release notifications)
   • Creates your announcement flow
   • Gets people excited
3. Add Workflow 3 (Weekly report)
   • Keeps you informed
   • Shows progress
4. Expand gradually as you have time

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Pro Tips

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Use n8n’s Built-in Nodes

• For AWS integration: “AWS”
• For Google Sheets: “Google Sheets”
• For Discord: “Discord”
• For Telegram: “Telegram”
• For emails: “Email” or “Gmail”

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Create Reusable Sub-Workflows

• Use “Call Workflow” node
• Example: Shared “GitHub → Airtable” sub-workflow
• Call from multiple main workflows

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Add Error Handling

• Use “Try/Catch” node
• Send alert to Slack on failure
• Example: ”❌ Workflow ‘Release Notification’ failed”

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Schedule Wisely

• GitHub Sync: Every hour (stale data is fine)
• Release Notification: Instant (time-sensitive)
• Weekly Report: Monday 9am (regular cadence)
• PyPI Stats: Daily (don’t need real-time)

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Sample Slack Message Templates

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Release Notification

🚀 New Release: async-retry v1.2.3

📝 What's New
- Added jitter support
- Fixed edge case in exponential backoff
- Performance improvements (15% faster)

📦 Install: pip install async-retry

📖 Docs: https://docs.yourname.dev/async-retry
💻 Code: https://github.com/yourname-tools/async-retry
🌟 Star: https://github.com/yourname-tools/async-retry

vs 1.2.2 +47 commits from 3 contributors

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Weekly Summary

📊 This Week in Python Assets

✅ Deployments
- async-retry v1.2.3
- concur v2.0.1

📈 Growth
- Total stars: +23 (now 156 combined)
- PyPI downloads: 2,847 this week
- New GitHub followers: 12

📚 Content
- Blog: "Async Patterns in Production"
- Course: 47 new email subscribers

⚠️ Needs Attention
- 3 tools need doc updates (< 60% coverage)
- 2 repos have open issues (1mo+ old)

🎯 Next Week Focus
- Complete async-retry enterprise features
- Film video tutorial for concur
- Outreach to 5 potential consulting clients