Activate and Deactivate Workflows on Schedule Using Native n8n API

## How it works This workflow will activate and deactivate a selected other workflow on schedule. > ⚠️ Warning! > This approach **won't work for trial users** as it requires an n8n API that is not available to trial users. > See [https://docs.n8n.io/api/](https://docs.n8n.io/api/) for details. ## Set up steps 1. Adjust activation/deactivation **schedule** per your needs. A [Custom (cron) interval](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.scheduletrigger/#custom-cron-interval) is a recommended approach. 2. Set the targeted **Workflow ID**. You will find it in the URL of the workflow you want to manage. ![img](https://community.n8n.io/uploads/default/original/3X/8/a/8aa6297de2cffb3de23c221aee62065610525f5f.png) 3. Set **n8n API credentials**: - Create an API key: [how to](https://docs.n8n.io/api/authentication/) - Create n8n credentials using the API key: [how to](https://docs.n8n.io/credentials/add-edit-credentials/#create-a-credential) This workflow uses the **[n8n node](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.n8n/)**. #DevOps #workflow-management --- ## Other useful stuff Need a universal Error workflow to **catch both execution and trigger errors**? Here you go: [Error handling: Send email via Gmail on execution or trigger-level errors](https://n8n.io/workflows/3075-error-handling-send-email-via-gmail-on-execution-or-trigger-level-errors/) More stuff [by Olek](https://n8n.io/creators/olek/) and do not forget to backup your workflows often by [automating](https://n8n.io/workflows/?q=Backup).

n8n

1 workflows

How it works

This workflow will activate and deactivate a selected other workflow on schedule.

⚠️ Warning! This approach won't work for trial users as it requires an n8n API that is not available to trial users. See https://docs.n8n.io/api/ for details.

Set up steps

  1. Adjust activation/deactivation schedule per your needs. A Custom (cron) interval is a recommended approach.
  2. Set the targeted Workflow ID. You will find it in the URL of the workflow you want to manage. img
  3. Set n8n API credentials:
    • Create an API key: how to
    • Create n8n credentials using the API key: how to

This workflow uses the n8n node.

#DevOps #workflow-management


Other useful stuff

Need a universal Error workflow to catch both execution and trigger errors? Here you go: Error handling: Send email via Gmail on execution or trigger-level errors

More stuff by Olek and do not forget to backup your workflows often by automating.

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Last updated October 24, 2026
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How to import this workflow into n8n

  1. 1Purchase or download the workflow to get the n8n workflow JSON file.
  2. 2In your n8n instance, open Workflows and choose "Import from File" (or paste the JSON with Ctrl+V on the canvas).
  3. 3Open each node marked with a credential warning and connect your own accounts and API keys.
  4. 4Run the workflow once manually to verify the data flow, then toggle it to Active.

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