Initial commit
This commit is contained in:
699
skills/n8n-code-javascript/SKILL.md
Normal file
699
skills/n8n-code-javascript/SKILL.md
Normal file
@@ -0,0 +1,699 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
name: n8n-code-javascript
|
||||
description: Write JavaScript code in n8n Code nodes. Use when writing JavaScript in n8n, using $input/$json/$node syntax, making HTTP requests with $helpers, working with dates using DateTime, troubleshooting Code node errors, or choosing between Code node modes.
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
# JavaScript Code Node
|
||||
|
||||
Expert guidance for writing JavaScript code in n8n Code nodes.
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Quick Start
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Basic template for Code nodes
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
|
||||
// Process data
|
||||
const processed = items.map(item => ({
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
...item.json,
|
||||
processed: true,
|
||||
timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
|
||||
}
|
||||
}));
|
||||
|
||||
return processed;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Essential Rules
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Choose "Run Once for All Items" mode** (recommended for most use cases)
|
||||
2. **Access data**: `$input.all()`, `$input.first()`, or `$input.item`
|
||||
3. **CRITICAL**: Must return `[{json: {...}}]` format
|
||||
4. **CRITICAL**: Webhook data is under `$json.body` (not `$json` directly)
|
||||
5. **Built-ins available**: $helpers.httpRequest(), DateTime (Luxon), $jmespath()
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Mode Selection Guide
|
||||
|
||||
The Code node offers two execution modes. Choose based on your use case:
|
||||
|
||||
### Run Once for All Items (Recommended - Default)
|
||||
|
||||
**Use this mode for:** 95% of use cases
|
||||
|
||||
- **How it works**: Code executes **once** regardless of input count
|
||||
- **Data access**: `$input.all()` or `items` array
|
||||
- **Best for**: Aggregation, filtering, batch processing, transformations, API calls with all data
|
||||
- **Performance**: Faster for multiple items (single execution)
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Example: Calculate total from all items
|
||||
const allItems = $input.all();
|
||||
const total = allItems.reduce((sum, item) => sum + (item.json.amount || 0), 0);
|
||||
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
total,
|
||||
count: allItems.length,
|
||||
average: total / allItems.length
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**When to use:**
|
||||
- ✅ Comparing items across the dataset
|
||||
- ✅ Calculating totals, averages, or statistics
|
||||
- ✅ Sorting or ranking items
|
||||
- ✅ Deduplication
|
||||
- ✅ Building aggregated reports
|
||||
- ✅ Combining data from multiple items
|
||||
|
||||
### Run Once for Each Item
|
||||
|
||||
**Use this mode for:** Specialized cases only
|
||||
|
||||
- **How it works**: Code executes **separately** for each input item
|
||||
- **Data access**: `$input.item` or `$item`
|
||||
- **Best for**: Item-specific logic, independent operations, per-item validation
|
||||
- **Performance**: Slower for large datasets (multiple executions)
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Example: Add processing timestamp to each item
|
||||
const item = $input.item;
|
||||
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
...item.json,
|
||||
processed: true,
|
||||
processedAt: new Date().toISOString()
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**When to use:**
|
||||
- ✅ Each item needs independent API call
|
||||
- ✅ Per-item validation with different error handling
|
||||
- ✅ Item-specific transformations based on item properties
|
||||
- ✅ When items must be processed separately for business logic
|
||||
|
||||
**Decision Shortcut:**
|
||||
- **Need to look at multiple items?** → Use "All Items" mode
|
||||
- **Each item completely independent?** → Use "Each Item" mode
|
||||
- **Not sure?** → Use "All Items" mode (you can always loop inside)
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Data Access Patterns
|
||||
|
||||
### Pattern 1: $input.all() - Most Common
|
||||
|
||||
**Use when**: Processing arrays, batch operations, aggregations
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Get all items from previous node
|
||||
const allItems = $input.all();
|
||||
|
||||
// Filter, map, reduce as needed
|
||||
const valid = allItems.filter(item => item.json.status === 'active');
|
||||
const mapped = valid.map(item => ({
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
id: item.json.id,
|
||||
name: item.json.name
|
||||
}
|
||||
}));
|
||||
|
||||
return mapped;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Pattern 2: $input.first() - Very Common
|
||||
|
||||
**Use when**: Working with single objects, API responses, first-in-first-out
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Get first item only
|
||||
const firstItem = $input.first();
|
||||
const data = firstItem.json;
|
||||
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
result: processData(data),
|
||||
processedAt: new Date().toISOString()
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Pattern 3: $input.item - Each Item Mode Only
|
||||
|
||||
**Use when**: In "Run Once for Each Item" mode
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Current item in loop (Each Item mode only)
|
||||
const currentItem = $input.item;
|
||||
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
...currentItem.json,
|
||||
itemProcessed: true
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Pattern 4: $node - Reference Other Nodes
|
||||
|
||||
**Use when**: Need data from specific nodes in workflow
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Get output from specific node
|
||||
const webhookData = $node["Webhook"].json;
|
||||
const httpData = $node["HTTP Request"].json;
|
||||
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
combined: {
|
||||
webhook: webhookData,
|
||||
api: httpData
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**See**: [DATA_ACCESS.md](DATA_ACCESS.md) for comprehensive guide
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Critical: Webhook Data Structure
|
||||
|
||||
**MOST COMMON MISTAKE**: Webhook data is nested under `.body`
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG - Will return undefined
|
||||
const name = $json.name;
|
||||
const email = $json.email;
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT - Webhook data is under .body
|
||||
const name = $json.body.name;
|
||||
const email = $json.body.email;
|
||||
|
||||
// Or with $input
|
||||
const webhookData = $input.first().json.body;
|
||||
const name = webhookData.name;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Why**: Webhook node wraps all request data under `body` property. This includes POST data, query parameters, and JSON payloads.
|
||||
|
||||
**See**: [DATA_ACCESS.md](DATA_ACCESS.md) for full webhook structure details
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Return Format Requirements
|
||||
|
||||
**CRITICAL RULE**: Always return array of objects with `json` property
|
||||
|
||||
### Correct Return Formats
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ✅ Single result
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
field1: value1,
|
||||
field2: value2
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ Multiple results
|
||||
return [
|
||||
{json: {id: 1, data: 'first'}},
|
||||
{json: {id: 2, data: 'second'}}
|
||||
];
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ Transformed array
|
||||
const transformed = $input.all()
|
||||
.filter(item => item.json.valid)
|
||||
.map(item => ({
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
id: item.json.id,
|
||||
processed: true
|
||||
}
|
||||
}));
|
||||
return transformed;
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ Empty result (when no data to return)
|
||||
return [];
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ Conditional return
|
||||
if (shouldProcess) {
|
||||
return [{json: processedData}];
|
||||
} else {
|
||||
return [];
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Incorrect Return Formats
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Object without array wrapper
|
||||
return {
|
||||
json: {field: value}
|
||||
};
|
||||
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Array without json wrapper
|
||||
return [{field: value}];
|
||||
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Plain string
|
||||
return "processed";
|
||||
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Raw data without mapping
|
||||
return $input.all(); // Missing .map()
|
||||
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Incomplete structure
|
||||
return [{data: value}]; // Should be {json: value}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it matters**: Next nodes expect array format. Incorrect format causes workflow execution to fail.
|
||||
|
||||
**See**: [ERROR_PATTERNS.md](ERROR_PATTERNS.md) #3 for detailed error solutions
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Common Patterns Overview
|
||||
|
||||
Based on production workflows, here are the most useful patterns:
|
||||
|
||||
### 1. Multi-Source Data Aggregation
|
||||
Combine data from multiple APIs, webhooks, or nodes
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const allItems = $input.all();
|
||||
const results = [];
|
||||
|
||||
for (const item of allItems) {
|
||||
const sourceName = item.json.name || 'Unknown';
|
||||
// Parse source-specific structure
|
||||
if (sourceName === 'API1' && item.json.data) {
|
||||
results.push({
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
title: item.json.data.title,
|
||||
source: 'API1'
|
||||
}
|
||||
});
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
||||
return results;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 2. Filtering with Regex
|
||||
Extract patterns, mentions, or keywords from text
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const pattern = /\b([A-Z]{2,5})\b/g;
|
||||
const matches = {};
|
||||
|
||||
for (const item of $input.all()) {
|
||||
const text = item.json.text;
|
||||
const found = text.match(pattern);
|
||||
|
||||
if (found) {
|
||||
found.forEach(match => {
|
||||
matches[match] = (matches[match] || 0) + 1;
|
||||
});
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
||||
return [{json: {matches}}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 3. Data Transformation & Enrichment
|
||||
Map fields, normalize formats, add computed fields
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
|
||||
return items.map(item => {
|
||||
const data = item.json;
|
||||
const nameParts = data.name.split(' ');
|
||||
|
||||
return {
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
first_name: nameParts[0],
|
||||
last_name: nameParts.slice(1).join(' '),
|
||||
email: data.email,
|
||||
created_at: new Date().toISOString()
|
||||
}
|
||||
};
|
||||
});
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 4. Top N Filtering & Ranking
|
||||
Sort and limit results
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
|
||||
const topItems = items
|
||||
.sort((a, b) => (b.json.score || 0) - (a.json.score || 0))
|
||||
.slice(0, 10);
|
||||
|
||||
return topItems.map(item => ({json: item.json}));
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 5. Aggregation & Reporting
|
||||
Sum, count, group data
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
const total = items.reduce((sum, item) => sum + (item.json.amount || 0), 0);
|
||||
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
total,
|
||||
count: items.length,
|
||||
average: total / items.length,
|
||||
timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**See**: [COMMON_PATTERNS.md](COMMON_PATTERNS.md) for 10 detailed production patterns
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Error Prevention - Top 5 Mistakes
|
||||
|
||||
### #1: Empty Code or Missing Return (Most Common)
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: No return statement
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
// ... processing code ...
|
||||
// Forgot to return!
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT: Always return data
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
// ... processing ...
|
||||
return items.map(item => ({json: item.json}));
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### #2: Expression Syntax Confusion
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Using n8n expression syntax in code
|
||||
const value = "{{ $json.field }}";
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT: Use JavaScript template literals
|
||||
const value = `${$json.field}`;
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT: Direct access
|
||||
const value = $input.first().json.field;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### #3: Incorrect Return Wrapper
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Returning object instead of array
|
||||
return {json: {result: 'success'}};
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT: Array wrapper required
|
||||
return [{json: {result: 'success'}}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### #4: Missing Null Checks
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Crashes if field doesn't exist
|
||||
const value = item.json.user.email;
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT: Safe access with optional chaining
|
||||
const value = item.json?.user?.email || 'no-email@example.com';
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT: Guard clause
|
||||
if (!item.json.user) {
|
||||
return [];
|
||||
}
|
||||
const value = item.json.user.email;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### #5: Webhook Body Nesting
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ❌ WRONG: Direct access to webhook data
|
||||
const email = $json.email;
|
||||
|
||||
// ✅ CORRECT: Webhook data under .body
|
||||
const email = $json.body.email;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**See**: [ERROR_PATTERNS.md](ERROR_PATTERNS.md) for comprehensive error guide
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Built-in Functions & Helpers
|
||||
|
||||
### $helpers.httpRequest()
|
||||
|
||||
Make HTTP requests from within code:
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const response = await $helpers.httpRequest({
|
||||
method: 'GET',
|
||||
url: 'https://api.example.com/data',
|
||||
headers: {
|
||||
'Authorization': 'Bearer token',
|
||||
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
|
||||
}
|
||||
});
|
||||
|
||||
return [{json: {data: response}}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### DateTime (Luxon)
|
||||
|
||||
Date and time operations:
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Current time
|
||||
const now = DateTime.now();
|
||||
|
||||
// Format dates
|
||||
const formatted = now.toFormat('yyyy-MM-dd');
|
||||
const iso = now.toISO();
|
||||
|
||||
// Date arithmetic
|
||||
const tomorrow = now.plus({days: 1});
|
||||
const lastWeek = now.minus({weeks: 1});
|
||||
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
today: formatted,
|
||||
tomorrow: tomorrow.toFormat('yyyy-MM-dd')
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### $jmespath()
|
||||
|
||||
Query JSON structures:
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const data = $input.first().json;
|
||||
|
||||
// Filter array
|
||||
const adults = $jmespath(data, 'users[?age >= `18`]');
|
||||
|
||||
// Extract fields
|
||||
const names = $jmespath(data, 'users[*].name');
|
||||
|
||||
return [{json: {adults, names}}];
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**See**: [BUILTIN_FUNCTIONS.md](BUILTIN_FUNCTIONS.md) for complete reference
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Best Practices
|
||||
|
||||
### 1. Always Validate Input Data
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
|
||||
// Check if data exists
|
||||
if (!items || items.length === 0) {
|
||||
return [];
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
||||
// Validate structure
|
||||
if (!items[0].json) {
|
||||
return [{json: {error: 'Invalid input format'}}];
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
||||
// Continue processing...
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 2. Use Try-Catch for Error Handling
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
try {
|
||||
const response = await $helpers.httpRequest({
|
||||
url: 'https://api.example.com/data'
|
||||
});
|
||||
|
||||
return [{json: {success: true, data: response}}];
|
||||
} catch (error) {
|
||||
return [{
|
||||
json: {
|
||||
success: false,
|
||||
error: error.message
|
||||
}
|
||||
}];
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 3. Prefer Array Methods Over Loops
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ✅ GOOD: Functional approach
|
||||
const processed = $input.all()
|
||||
.filter(item => item.json.valid)
|
||||
.map(item => ({json: {id: item.json.id}}));
|
||||
|
||||
// ❌ SLOWER: Manual loop
|
||||
const processed = [];
|
||||
for (const item of $input.all()) {
|
||||
if (item.json.valid) {
|
||||
processed.push({json: {id: item.json.id}});
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 4. Filter Early, Process Late
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ✅ GOOD: Filter first to reduce processing
|
||||
const processed = $input.all()
|
||||
.filter(item => item.json.status === 'active') // Reduce dataset first
|
||||
.map(item => expensiveTransformation(item)); // Then transform
|
||||
|
||||
// ❌ WASTEFUL: Transform everything, then filter
|
||||
const processed = $input.all()
|
||||
.map(item => expensiveTransformation(item)) // Wastes CPU
|
||||
.filter(item => item.json.status === 'active');
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 5. Use Descriptive Variable Names
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// ✅ GOOD: Clear intent
|
||||
const activeUsers = $input.all().filter(item => item.json.active);
|
||||
const totalRevenue = activeUsers.reduce((sum, user) => sum + user.json.revenue, 0);
|
||||
|
||||
// ❌ BAD: Unclear purpose
|
||||
const a = $input.all().filter(item => item.json.active);
|
||||
const t = a.reduce((s, u) => s + u.json.revenue, 0);
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### 6. Debug with console.log()
|
||||
|
||||
```javascript
|
||||
// Debug statements appear in browser console
|
||||
const items = $input.all();
|
||||
console.log(`Processing ${items.length} items`);
|
||||
|
||||
for (const item of items) {
|
||||
console.log('Item data:', item.json);
|
||||
// Process...
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
||||
return result;
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## When to Use Code Node
|
||||
|
||||
Use Code node when:
|
||||
- ✅ Complex transformations requiring multiple steps
|
||||
- ✅ Custom calculations or business logic
|
||||
- ✅ Recursive operations
|
||||
- ✅ API response parsing with complex structure
|
||||
- ✅ Multi-step conditionals
|
||||
- ✅ Data aggregation across items
|
||||
|
||||
Consider other nodes when:
|
||||
- ❌ Simple field mapping → Use **Set** node
|
||||
- ❌ Basic filtering → Use **Filter** node
|
||||
- ❌ Simple conditionals → Use **IF** or **Switch** node
|
||||
- ❌ HTTP requests only → Use **HTTP Request** node
|
||||
|
||||
**Code node excels at**: Complex logic that would require chaining many simple nodes
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Integration with Other Skills
|
||||
|
||||
### Works With:
|
||||
|
||||
**n8n Expression Syntax**:
|
||||
- Expressions use `{{ }}` syntax in other nodes
|
||||
- Code nodes use JavaScript directly (no `{{ }}`)
|
||||
- When to use expressions vs code
|
||||
|
||||
**n8n MCP Tools Expert**:
|
||||
- How to find Code node: `search_nodes({query: "code"})`
|
||||
- Get configuration help: `get_node_essentials("nodes-base.code")`
|
||||
- Validate code: `validate_node_operation()`
|
||||
|
||||
**n8n Node Configuration**:
|
||||
- Mode selection (All Items vs Each Item)
|
||||
- Language selection (JavaScript vs Python)
|
||||
- Understanding property dependencies
|
||||
|
||||
**n8n Workflow Patterns**:
|
||||
- Code nodes in transformation step
|
||||
- Webhook → Code → API pattern
|
||||
- Error handling in workflows
|
||||
|
||||
**n8n Validation Expert**:
|
||||
- Validate Code node configuration
|
||||
- Handle validation errors
|
||||
- Auto-fix common issues
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Quick Reference Checklist
|
||||
|
||||
Before deploying Code nodes, verify:
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] **Code is not empty** - Must have meaningful logic
|
||||
- [ ] **Return statement exists** - Must return array of objects
|
||||
- [ ] **Proper return format** - Each item: `{json: {...}}`
|
||||
- [ ] **Data access correct** - Using `$input.all()`, `$input.first()`, or `$input.item`
|
||||
- [ ] **No n8n expressions** - Use JavaScript template literals: `` `${value}` ``
|
||||
- [ ] **Error handling** - Guard clauses for null/undefined inputs
|
||||
- [ ] **Webhook data** - Access via `.body` if from webhook
|
||||
- [ ] **Mode selection** - "All Items" for most cases
|
||||
- [ ] **Performance** - Prefer map/filter over manual loops
|
||||
- [ ] **Output consistent** - All code paths return same structure
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Additional Resources
|
||||
|
||||
### Related Files
|
||||
- [DATA_ACCESS.md](DATA_ACCESS.md) - Comprehensive data access patterns
|
||||
- [COMMON_PATTERNS.md](COMMON_PATTERNS.md) - 10 production-tested patterns
|
||||
- [ERROR_PATTERNS.md](ERROR_PATTERNS.md) - Top 5 errors and solutions
|
||||
- [BUILTIN_FUNCTIONS.md](BUILTIN_FUNCTIONS.md) - Complete built-in reference
|
||||
|
||||
### n8n Documentation
|
||||
- Code Node Guide: https://docs.n8n.io/code/code-node/
|
||||
- Built-in Methods: https://docs.n8n.io/code-examples/methods-variables-reference/
|
||||
- Luxon Documentation: https://moment.github.io/luxon/
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
**Ready to write JavaScript in n8n Code nodes!** Start with simple transformations, use the error patterns guide to avoid common mistakes, and reference the pattern library for production-ready examples.
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user