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skills/n8n-node-configuration/OPERATION_PATTERNS.md

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+# Operation Patterns Guide
+
+Common node configuration patterns organized by node type and operation.
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+**Purpose**: Quick reference for common node configurations
+
+**Coverage**: Top 20 most-used nodes from 525 available
+
+**Pattern format**:
+- Minimal valid configuration
+- Common options
+- Real-world examples
+- Gotchas and tips
+
+---
+
+## HTTP & API Nodes
+
+### HTTP Request (nodes-base.httpRequest)
+
+Most versatile node for HTTP operations
+
+#### GET Request
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "GET",
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users",
+  "authentication": "none"
+}
+```
+
+**With query parameters**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "GET",
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users",
+  "authentication": "none",
+  "sendQuery": true,
+  "queryParameters": {
+    "parameters": [
+      {
+        "name": "limit",
+        "value": "100"
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "offset",
+        "value": "={{$json.offset}}"
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**With authentication**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "GET",
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users",
+  "authentication": "predefinedCredentialType",
+  "nodeCredentialType": "httpHeaderAuth"
+}
+```
+
+#### POST with JSON
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "POST",
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users",
+  "authentication": "none",
+  "sendBody": true,
+  "body": {
+    "contentType": "json",
+    "content": {
+      "name": "John Doe",
+      "email": "john@example.com"
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**With expressions**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "POST",
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users",
+  "authentication": "none",
+  "sendBody": true,
+  "body": {
+    "contentType": "json",
+    "content": {
+      "name": "={{$json.name}}",
+      "email": "={{$json.email}}",
+      "metadata": {
+        "source": "n8n",
+        "timestamp": "={{$now.toISO()}}"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Remember `sendBody: true` for POST/PUT/PATCH!
+
+#### PUT/PATCH Request
+
+**Pattern**: Same as POST, but method changes
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "PUT",  // or "PATCH"
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users/123",
+  "authentication": "none",
+  "sendBody": true,
+  "body": {
+    "contentType": "json",
+    "content": {
+      "name": "Updated Name"
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### DELETE Request
+
+**Minimal** (no body):
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "DELETE",
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users/123",
+  "authentication": "none"
+}
+```
+
+**With body** (some APIs allow):
+```javascript
+{
+  "method": "DELETE",
+  "url": "https://api.example.com/users",
+  "authentication": "none",
+  "sendBody": true,
+  "body": {
+    "contentType": "json",
+    "content": {
+      "ids": ["123", "456"]
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+### Webhook (nodes-base.webhook)
+
+Most common trigger - 813 searches!
+
+#### Basic Webhook
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "path": "my-webhook",
+  "httpMethod": "POST",
+  "responseMode": "onReceived"
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Webhook data is under `$json.body`, not `$json`!
+
+```javascript
+// ❌ Wrong
+{
+  "text": "={{$json.email}}"
+}
+
+// ✅ Correct
+{
+  "text": "={{$json.body.email}}"
+}
+```
+
+#### Webhook with Authentication
+
+**Header auth**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "path": "secure-webhook",
+  "httpMethod": "POST",
+  "responseMode": "onReceived",
+  "authentication": "headerAuth",
+  "options": {
+    "responseCode": 200,
+    "responseData": "{\n  \"success\": true\n}"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Webhook Returning Data
+
+**Custom response**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "path": "my-webhook",
+  "httpMethod": "POST",
+  "responseMode": "lastNode",  // Return data from last node
+  "options": {
+    "responseCode": 201,
+    "responseHeaders": {
+      "entries": [
+        {
+          "name": "Content-Type",
+          "value": "application/json"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Communication Nodes
+
+### Slack (nodes-base.slack)
+
+Popular choice for AI agent workflows
+
+#### Post Message
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "post",
+  "channel": "#general",
+  "text": "Hello from n8n!"
+}
+```
+
+**With dynamic content**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "post",
+  "channel": "={{$json.channel}}",
+  "text": "New user: {{$json.name}} ({{$json.email}})"
+}
+```
+
+**With attachments**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "post",
+  "channel": "#alerts",
+  "text": "Error Alert",
+  "attachments": [
+    {
+      "color": "#ff0000",
+      "fields": [
+        {
+          "title": "Error Type",
+          "value": "={{$json.errorType}}"
+        },
+        {
+          "title": "Timestamp",
+          "value": "={{$now.toLocaleString()}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Channel must start with `#` for public channels or be a channel ID!
+
+#### Update Message
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "update",
+  "messageId": "1234567890.123456",  // From previous message post
+  "text": "Updated message content"
+}
+```
+
+**Note**: `messageId` required, `channel` optional (can be inferred)
+
+#### Create Channel
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "channel",
+  "operation": "create",
+  "name": "new-project-channel",  // Lowercase, no spaces
+  "isPrivate": false
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Channel name must be lowercase, no spaces, 1-80 chars!
+
+---
+
+### Gmail (nodes-base.gmail)
+
+Popular for email automation
+
+#### Send Email
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "send",
+  "to": "user@example.com",
+  "subject": "Hello from n8n",
+  "message": "This is the email body"
+}
+```
+
+**With dynamic content**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "send",
+  "to": "={{$json.email}}",
+  "subject": "Order Confirmation #{{$json.orderId}}",
+  "message": "Dear {{$json.name}},\n\nYour order has been confirmed.\n\nThank you!",
+  "options": {
+    "ccList": "admin@example.com",
+    "replyTo": "support@example.com"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Get Email
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "getAll",
+  "returnAll": false,
+  "limit": 10
+}
+```
+
+**With filters**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "message",
+  "operation": "getAll",
+  "returnAll": false,
+  "limit": 50,
+  "filters": {
+    "q": "is:unread from:important@example.com",
+    "labelIds": ["INBOX"]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Database Nodes
+
+### Postgres (nodes-base.postgres)
+
+Database operations - 456 templates
+
+#### Execute Query
+
+**Minimal** (SELECT):
+```javascript
+{
+  "operation": "executeQuery",
+  "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE active = true LIMIT 100"
+}
+```
+
+**With parameters** (SQL injection prevention):
+```javascript
+{
+  "operation": "executeQuery",
+  "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = $1 AND active = $2",
+  "additionalFields": {
+    "mode": "list",
+    "queryParameters": "user@example.com,true"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: ALWAYS use parameterized queries for user input!
+
+```javascript
+// ❌ BAD - SQL injection risk!
+{
+  "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = '{{$json.email}}'"
+}
+
+// ✅ GOOD - Parameterized
+{
+  "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = $1",
+  "additionalFields": {
+    "mode": "list",
+    "queryParameters": "={{$json.email}}"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Insert
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "operation": "insert",
+  "table": "users",
+  "columns": "name,email,created_at",
+  "additionalFields": {
+    "mode": "list",
+    "queryParameters": "John Doe,john@example.com,NOW()"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**With expressions**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "operation": "insert",
+  "table": "users",
+  "columns": "name,email,metadata",
+  "additionalFields": {
+    "mode": "list",
+    "queryParameters": "={{$json.name}},={{$json.email}},{{JSON.stringify($json)}}"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Update
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "operation": "update",
+  "table": "users",
+  "updateKey": "id",
+  "columns": "name,email",
+  "additionalFields": {
+    "mode": "list",
+    "queryParameters": "={{$json.id}},Updated Name,newemail@example.com"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Data Transformation Nodes
+
+### Set (nodes-base.set)
+
+Most used transformation - 68% of workflows!
+
+#### Set Fixed Values
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "mode": "manual",
+  "duplicateItem": false,
+  "assignments": {
+    "assignments": [
+      {
+        "name": "status",
+        "value": "active",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "count",
+        "value": 100,
+        "type": "number"
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Set from Input Data
+
+**Mapping data**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "mode": "manual",
+  "duplicateItem": false,
+  "assignments": {
+    "assignments": [
+      {
+        "name": "fullName",
+        "value": "={{$json.firstName}} {{$json.lastName}}",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "email",
+        "value": "={{$json.email.toLowerCase()}}",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "timestamp",
+        "value": "={{$now.toISO()}}",
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Use correct `type` for each field!
+
+```javascript
+// ❌ Wrong type
+{
+  "name": "age",
+  "value": "25",      // String
+  "type": "string"    // Will be string "25"
+}
+
+// ✅ Correct type
+{
+  "name": "age",
+  "value": 25,        // Number
+  "type": "number"    // Will be number 25
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+### Code (nodes-base.code)
+
+JavaScript execution - 42% of workflows
+
+#### Simple Transformation
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "mode": "runOnceForAllItems",
+  "jsCode": "return $input.all().map(item => ({\n  json: {\n    name: item.json.name.toUpperCase(),\n    email: item.json.email\n  }\n}));"
+}
+```
+
+**Per-item processing**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "mode": "runOnceForEachItem",
+  "jsCode": "// Process each item\nconst data = $input.item.json;\n\nreturn {\n  json: {\n    fullName: `${data.firstName} ${data.lastName}`,\n    email: data.email.toLowerCase(),\n    timestamp: new Date().toISOString()\n  }\n};"
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: In Code nodes, use `$input.item.json` or `$input.all()`, NOT `{{...}}`!
+
+```javascript
+// ❌ Wrong - expressions don't work in Code nodes
+{
+  "jsCode": "const name = '={{$json.name}}';"
+}
+
+// ✅ Correct - direct access
+{
+  "jsCode": "const name = $input.item.json.name;"
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Conditional Nodes
+
+### IF (nodes-base.if)
+
+Conditional logic - 38% of workflows
+
+#### String Comparison
+
+**Equals** (binary):
+```javascript
+{
+  "conditions": {
+    "string": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.status}}",
+        "operation": "equals",
+        "value2": "active"
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Contains** (binary):
+```javascript
+{
+  "conditions": {
+    "string": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.email}}",
+        "operation": "contains",
+        "value2": "@example.com"
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**isEmpty** (unary):
+```javascript
+{
+  "conditions": {
+    "string": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.email}}",
+        "operation": "isEmpty"
+        // No value2 - unary operator
+        // singleValue: true added by auto-sanitization
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Unary operators (isEmpty, isNotEmpty) don't need value2!
+
+#### Number Comparison
+
+**Greater than**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "conditions": {
+    "number": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.age}}",
+        "operation": "larger",
+        "value2": 18
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Boolean Comparison
+
+**Is true**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "conditions": {
+    "boolean": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.isActive}}",
+        "operation": "true"
+        // Unary - no value2
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Multiple Conditions (AND)
+
+**All must match**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "conditions": {
+    "string": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.status}}",
+        "operation": "equals",
+        "value2": "active"
+      }
+    ],
+    "number": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.age}}",
+        "operation": "larger",
+        "value2": 18
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "combineOperation": "all"  // AND logic
+}
+```
+
+#### Multiple Conditions (OR)
+
+**Any can match**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "conditions": {
+    "string": [
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.status}}",
+        "operation": "equals",
+        "value2": "active"
+      },
+      {
+        "value1": "={{$json.status}}",
+        "operation": "equals",
+        "value2": "pending"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "combineOperation": "any"  // OR logic
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+### Switch (nodes-base.switch)
+
+Multi-way routing - 18% of workflows
+
+#### Basic Switch
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "mode": "rules",
+  "rules": {
+    "rules": [
+      {
+        "conditions": {
+          "string": [
+            {
+              "value1": "={{$json.status}}",
+              "operation": "equals",
+              "value2": "active"
+            }
+          ]
+        }
+      },
+      {
+        "conditions": {
+          "string": [
+            {
+              "value1": "={{$json.status}}",
+              "operation": "equals",
+              "value2": "pending"
+            }
+          ]
+        }
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "fallbackOutput": "extra"  // Catch-all for non-matching
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Number of rules must match number of outputs!
+
+---
+
+## AI Nodes
+
+### OpenAI (nodes-langchain.openAi)
+
+AI operations - 234 templates
+
+#### Chat Completion
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "chat",
+  "operation": "complete",
+  "messages": {
+    "values": [
+      {
+        "role": "user",
+        "content": "={{$json.prompt}}"
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**With system prompt**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "resource": "chat",
+  "operation": "complete",
+  "messages": {
+    "values": [
+      {
+        "role": "system",
+        "content": "You are a helpful assistant specialized in customer support."
+      },
+      {
+        "role": "user",
+        "content": "={{$json.userMessage}}"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "options": {
+    "temperature": 0.7,
+    "maxTokens": 500
+  }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Schedule Nodes
+
+### Schedule Trigger (nodes-base.scheduleTrigger)
+
+Time-based workflows - 28% have schedule triggers
+
+#### Daily at Specific Time
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "rule": {
+    "interval": [
+      {
+        "field": "hours",
+        "hoursInterval": 24
+      }
+    ],
+    "hour": 9,
+    "minute": 0,
+    "timezone": "America/New_York"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Gotcha**: Always set timezone explicitly!
+
+```javascript
+// ❌ Bad - uses server timezone
+{
+  "rule": {
+    "interval": [...]
+  }
+}
+
+// ✅ Good - explicit timezone
+{
+  "rule": {
+    "interval": [...],
+    "timezone": "America/New_York"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Every N Minutes
+
+**Minimal**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "rule": {
+    "interval": [
+      {
+        "field": "minutes",
+        "minutesInterval": 15
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### Cron Expression
+
+**Advanced scheduling**:
+```javascript
+{
+  "mode": "cron",
+  "cronExpression": "0 */2 * * *",  // Every 2 hours
+  "timezone": "America/New_York"
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Summary
+
+**Key Patterns by Category**:
+
+| Category | Most Common | Key Gotcha |
+|---|---|---|
+| HTTP/API | GET, POST JSON | Remember sendBody: true |
+| Webhooks | POST receiver | Data under $json.body |
+| Communication | Slack post | Channel format (#name) |
+| Database | SELECT with params | Use parameterized queries |
+| Transform | Set assignments | Correct type per field |
+| Conditional | IF string equals | Unary vs binary operators |
+| AI | OpenAI chat | System + user messages |
+| Schedule | Daily at time | Set timezone explicitly |
+
+**Configuration Approach**:
+1. Use patterns as starting point
+2. Adapt to your use case
+3. Validate configuration
+4. Iterate based on errors
+5. Deploy when valid
+
+**Related Files**:
+- **[SKILL.md](SKILL.md)** - Configuration workflow and philosophy
+- **[DEPENDENCIES.md](DEPENDENCIES.md)** - Property dependency rules