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 comppose 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 copy 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.