Automate NPM Package Installation and Updates for Self-Hosted Environments

Are you looking to install external libraries for your self-hosted N8N instance? This automated workflow makes adding npm packages to your N8N environment quick and effortless.  **Beware, this workflow only works on self-hosted instances.** ## What This Workflow Does This solution automatically installs npm packages like axios, cheerio, or node-fetch in your self-hosted N8N Docker container, making them immediately available in Code nodes. ### Key features - **Automated Installation:** No manual npm commands needed - **Daily Updates:** Scheduled trigger keeps packages current - **Smart Installation:** Only installs missing packages - **Multiple Triggers:** Manual, scheduled, and on startup of the N8N instance so you can upgrade your N8N version without worrying about external libraries. ## How to install and update external libraries automatically ### Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment Variables Before using external libraries in N8N Code nodes, configure these environment variables in your Docker compose file. #### Option A to allow specific external npm packages in N8N Code nodes ``` NODE_FUNCTION_ALLOW_EXTERNAL=axios,cheerio,node-fetch ``` #### Option B to allow all external npm packages in Code nodes ``` NODE_FUNCTION_ALLOW_EXTERNAL=* ``` ### Step 2: Import the external packages workflow Import the workflow into your N8N instance by copying and pasting all nodes. ### Step 3: Input the list of external libraries you need Edit the libraries_set node. Change the comma-separated list (e.g., axios, cheerio, node-fetch). **If you chose Option A above**, update your NODE_FUNCTION_ALLOW_EXTERNAL variable with the same packages. ### Step 4: Start the workflow! Run the workflow manually or let it trigger automatically. ## Why use this to install NPM packages in N8N? Managing external packages manually in N8N can be time-consuming. This workflow automates the entire process, making sure your libraries are always installed and up-to-date.