> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/n8n-io/n8n/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import & Export

> Import and export workflows and credentials using the n8n CLI

The n8n CLI provides powerful commands for importing and exporting workflows and credentials. This is useful for backups, migrations, version control, and moving data between environments.

## Export Workflows

Export workflows from your n8n instance to JSON files.

### Basic Usage

```bash theme={null}
n8n export:workflow --id=WORKFLOW_ID --output=file.json
```

### Export Flags

<ParamField path="--all" type="boolean" default="false">
  Export all workflows from the database.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--id" type="string">
  The ID of a specific workflow to export.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--output" type="string" shorthand="-o">
  Output file path or directory (when using `--separate`).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--pretty" type="boolean" default="false">
  Format JSON output for easier reading.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--separate" type="boolean" default="false">
  Export each workflow to a separate file. Requires `--output` to be a directory.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--backup" type="boolean" default="false">
  Shortcut that enables `--all --pretty --separate`. Only requires `--output`.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--version" type="string">
  The version ID to export (for workflow versioning).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--published" type="boolean" default="false">
  Export the published/active version of workflows.
</ParamField>

### Export Examples

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Single Workflow">
    Export one workflow:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --id=5 --output=workflow.json
    ```

    With pretty formatting:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --id=5 --output=workflow.json --pretty
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="All Workflows">
    Export all workflows to a single file:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --all --output=all-workflows.json
    ```

    Export to stdout (no file):

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --all
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Separate Files">
    Export each workflow to its own file:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --all --separate --output=workflows/
    ```

    This creates files like:

    * `workflows/abc123.json`
    * `workflows/def456.json`
    * `workflows/ghi789.json`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Backup">
    Quick backup of all workflows:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --backup --output=backups/2024-01-15/
    ```

    Equivalent to:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --all --pretty --separate --output=backups/2024-01-15/
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Version Export">
    Export specific version:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --id=5 --version=abc-123-def --output=workflow-v2.json
    ```

    Export published version:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --id=5 --published --output=workflow-published.json
    ```

    Export all published versions:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:workflow --all --published --output=backups/published/
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Import Workflows

Import workflows from JSON files into your n8n instance.

### Basic Usage

```bash theme={null}
n8n import:workflow --input=file.json
```

### Import Flags

<ParamField path="--input" type="string" shorthand="-i" required>
  Input file path or directory (when using `--separate`).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--separate" type="boolean" default="false">
  Import all `*.json` files from the specified directory.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--userId" type="string">
  Assign imported workflows to a specific user ID.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--projectId" type="string">
  Assign imported workflows to a specific project ID.
</ParamField>

### Import Examples

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Single File">
    Import one workflow file:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:workflow --input=workflow.json
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Multiple Files">
    Import all workflows from a directory:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:workflow --separate --input=backups/latest/
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Assign to User">
    Import and assign to specific user:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:workflow \
      --input=workflow.json \
      --userId=1d64c3d2-85fe-4a83-a649-e446b07b3aae
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Assign to Project">
    Import and assign to specific project:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:workflow \
      --input=workflow.json \
      --projectId=Ox8O54VQrmBrb4qL
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Restore Backup">
    Restore from backup directory:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:workflow \
      --separate \
      --input=backups/2024-01-15/ \
      --userId=1d64c3d2-85fe-4a83-a649-e446b07b3aae
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  **Ownership Rules:** You cannot use `--userId` and `--projectId` together. If a workflow already exists and is owned by another user/project, the import will fail to prevent accidental ownership changes.
</Note>

## Export Credentials

Export credentials from your n8n instance.

<Note>
  **Security Warning:** By default, credentials are exported in encrypted form. Use the `--decrypted` flag only when migrating between instances with different encryption keys.
</Note>

### Basic Usage

```bash theme={null}
n8n export:credentials --id=CREDENTIAL_ID --output=file.json
```

### Export Credential Flags

<ParamField path="--all" type="boolean" default="false">
  Export all credentials from the database.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--id" type="string">
  The ID of a specific credential to export.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--output" type="string" shorthand="-o">
  Output file path or directory (when using `--separate`).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--pretty" type="boolean" default="false">
  Format JSON output for easier reading.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--separate" type="boolean" default="false">
  Export each credential to a separate file.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--backup" type="boolean" default="false">
  Shortcut that enables `--all --pretty --separate`.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--decrypted" type="boolean" default="false">
  Export credentials in plain text. **USE WITH CAUTION!** All sensitive information will be visible.
</ParamField>

### Export Credential Examples

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Single Credential">
    Export one credential (encrypted):

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:credentials --id=5 --output=credential.json
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="All Credentials">
    Export all credentials:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:credentials --all --output=all-credentials.json
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Backup">
    Backup all credentials:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:credentials --backup --output=backups/credentials/
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Decrypted Export">
    Export with plain text data:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n export:credentials \
      --all \
      --decrypted \
      --output=backups/decrypted.json
    ```

    <Note>
      **Warning:** The decrypted file will contain all passwords, API keys, and tokens in plain text. Store it securely and delete after use!
    </Note>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Import Credentials

Import credentials from JSON files into your n8n instance.

### Basic Usage

```bash theme={null}
n8n import:credentials --input=file.json
```

### Import Credential Flags

<ParamField path="--input" type="string" shorthand="-i" required>
  Input file path or directory (when using `--separate`).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--separate" type="boolean" default="false">
  Import all `*.json` files from the specified directory.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--userId" type="string">
  Assign imported credentials to a specific user ID.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="--projectId" type="string">
  Assign imported credentials to a specific project ID.
</ParamField>

### Import Credential Examples

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Single File">
    Import one credential file:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:credentials --input=credential.json
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Directory Import">
    Import all credentials from directory:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:credentials --separate --input=backups/credentials/
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Assign to User">
    Import and assign to user:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:credentials \
      --input=credential.json \
      --userId=1d64c3d2-85fe-4a83-a649-e446b07b3aae
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Assign to Project">
    Import and assign to project:

    ```bash theme={null}
    n8n import:credentials \
      --input=credential.json \
      --projectId=Ox8O54VQrmBrb4qL
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  **Encryption Handling:** If you import decrypted credentials (plain text), n8n automatically encrypts them using the instance's encryption key before storing.
</Note>

## Migration Workflow

### Same Encryption Key

If both instances use the same encryption key:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Export from Source theme={null}
  # On source instance
  n8n export:workflow --backup --output=/backup/workflows/
  n8n export:credentials --backup --output=/backup/credentials/
  ```

  ```bash Import to Target theme={null}
  # On target instance (with same encryption key)
  n8n import:workflow --separate --input=/backup/workflows/
  n8n import:credentials --separate --input=/backup/credentials/
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Different Encryption Keys

If instances have different encryption keys:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Export Decrypted theme={null}
  # On source instance
  n8n export:workflow --all --output=workflows.json
  n8n export:credentials --all --decrypted --output=credentials-plain.json
  ```

  ```bash Import to New Instance theme={null}
  # On target instance (will re-encrypt with new key)
  n8n import:workflow --input=workflows.json
  n8n import:credentials --input=credentials-plain.json

  # Delete plain text file immediately!
  rm credentials-plain.json
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Note>
  **Security Best Practice:** Always delete decrypted credential files immediately after import. Never commit them to version control or store them unencrypted.
</Note>

## Backup Strategy

Recommended backup approach:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Daily Backup Script theme={null}
  #!/bin/bash

  # Set backup directory with timestamp
  BACKUP_DIR="/backups/n8n/$(date +%Y-%m-%d)"
  mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"

  # Export workflows
  n8n export:workflow --backup --output="$BACKUP_DIR/workflows/"

  # Export credentials (encrypted)
  n8n export:credentials --backup --output="$BACKUP_DIR/credentials/"

  # Create compressed archive
  tar -czf "$BACKUP_DIR.tar.gz" "$BACKUP_DIR"

  # Remove uncompressed backup
  rm -rf "$BACKUP_DIR"

  echo "Backup completed: $BACKUP_DIR.tar.gz"
  ```

  ```bash Restore from Backup theme={null}
  #!/bin/bash

  BACKUP_FILE="$1"

  # Extract backup
  tar -xzf "$BACKUP_FILE"
  BACKUP_DIR="${BACKUP_FILE%.tar.gz}"

  # Import workflows
  n8n import:workflow --separate --input="$BACKUP_DIR/workflows/"

  # Import credentials
  n8n import:credentials --separate --input="$BACKUP_DIR/credentials/"

  echo "Restore completed from: $BACKUP_FILE"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Version Control Integration

Export workflows for Git version control:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Export for Git theme={null}
  # Export with pretty formatting and separate files
  n8n export:workflow \
    --all \
    --separate \
    --pretty \
    --output=workflows/

  # Add to git
  git add workflows/
  git commit -m "Update workflow definitions"
  git push
  ```

  ```bash .gitignore theme={null}
  # Don't commit credentials!
  credentials/
  credentials.json
  *-credentials.json

  # Ignore decrypted exports
  *-decrypted.json
  *-plain.json
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Note>
  **Never commit credentials to version control!** Only export and version control workflows. Store credentials separately using secure secret management.
</Note>

## Export/Import Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Regular Backups">
    * Schedule automated daily/weekly backups
    * Store backups in multiple locations
    * Test restore procedure regularly
    * Keep backups for at least 30 days
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Security">
    * Never export decrypted credentials unless necessary
    * Delete decrypted files immediately after use
    * Store backup files securely with encryption
    * Use separate credentials for each environment
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Version Control">
    * Use `--pretty --separate` for readable diffs
    * Only commit workflows, never credentials
    * Review changes before committing
    * Tag releases with version numbers
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Migration">
    * Test migration in staging first
    * Verify workflow IDs and references
    * Check credential mappings
    * Update environment-specific values
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Import fails with ownership error">
    **Problem:** Workflow/credential already exists with different owner.

    **Solution:** Remove `--userId` or `--projectId` flag to keep existing ownership, or delete the existing item first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Credentials not working after import">
    **Problem:** Imported credentials don't work in target instance.

    **Solutions:**

    * Ensure same encryption key if importing encrypted
    * Use `--decrypted` export if keys are different
    * Re-enter credentials manually if issues persist
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cannot export: directory not found">
    **Problem:** Output directory doesn't exist.

    **Solution:** Create directory first or n8n will create it automatically.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="CLI Commands" icon="terminal" href="/cli/commands">
    View all CLI commands
  </Card>

  <Card title="User Management" icon="users" href="/cli/user-management">
    Manage users via CLI
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/configuration/configuration">
    Configure n8n settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backup & Restore" icon="database" href="/hosting/backup-restore">
    Complete backup strategies
  </Card>
</CardGroup>