Every n8n workflow follows the same fundamental structure: a trigger starts the execution, action nodes process data, and connections define the data flow path.
Components
- Trigger Node: The entry point — determines when/how the workflow runs
- Action Nodes: Perform operations (API calls, data transforms, etc.)
- Connections: Wires that define which node runs next and pass data
- Execution: A single run of the workflow from trigger to end
Execution Model
n8n processes nodes sequentially along connected paths. When a node has multiple outputs (like an IF node), execution splits into parallel branches.