This article provides a complete, practical walkthrough of the Code Filter Update Triggered n8n agent. It connects HTTP Request, Webhook across approximately 1 node(s). Expect a Intermediate setup in 15-45 minutes. One‑time purchase: €29.

What This Agent Does

This agent orchestrates a reliable automation between HTTP Request, Webhook, handling triggers, data enrichment, and delivery with guardrails for errors and rate limits.

It streamlines multi‑step processes that would otherwise require manual exports, spreadsheet cleanup, and repeated API requests. By centralizing logic in n8n, it reduces context switching, lowers error rates, and ensures consistent results across teams.

Typical outcomes include faster lead handoffs, automated notifications, accurate data synchronization, and better visibility via execution logs and optional Slack/Email alerts.

How It Works

The workflow uses standard n8n building blocks like Webhook or Schedule triggers, HTTP Request for API calls, and control nodes (IF, Merge, Set) to validate inputs, branch on conditions, and format outputs. Retries and timeouts improve resilience, while credentials keep secrets safe.

Third‑Party Integrations

• HTTP Request
• Webhook

Import and Use in n8n

1. Open n8n and create a new workflow or collection.
2. Choose Import from File or Paste JSON.
3. Paste the JSON below, then click Import.
4. Show n8n JSON

   Title:  
   Automating Duplicate File Handling in Google Drive with n8n: A No-Code Workflow Guide
   
   Meta Description:  
   Learn how to automatically detect and manage duplicate files in Google Drive using this powerful n8n workflow. Customize actions like trashing or flagging duplicates while maintaining full control through configurable parameters.
   
   Keywords:  
   n8n workflow, duplicate files, Google Drive automation, file deduplication, no-code automation, Google Drive API, file management, workflow automation, n8n tutorial, cloud storage optimization
   
   Third-Party APIs Used:
   
   - Google Drive API via n8n’s Google Drive nodes (OAuth2 authentication)
   
   Article:
   
   Managing storage in cloud platforms like Google Drive can quickly become a headache—especially when duplicate files pile up, wasting valuable space and introducing confusion. While many tools offer basic duplicate detection, combining automation, customization, and low-code logic can elevate file organization to a professional level. Enter n8n, an open-source, node-based automation platform that enables flexible workflows without writing full applications. In this article, we explore a comprehensive n8n workflow designed to detect and manage duplicate files in Google Drive automatically.
   
   What This Workflow Does
   
   This workflow listens for new file uploads in a specific folder within Google Drive, analyzes files to detect duplicates (based on unique MD5 hashes), and takes a defined action—either flagging the duplicates by renaming them or sending them to the trash. It lets users specify whether to keep the first or the most recently uploaded version when duplicates are found.
   
   Key Features:
   
   - Detects and distinguishes duplicate files using MD5 checksums
   - Offers flexible rules: keep the "first" or "last" version of a duplicate
   - Flags duplicates by renaming them with a “DUPLICATE-” prefix or sends them to the trash
   - Disregards Google Drive-native files (e.g., Docs, Sheets, Slides) as they cannot be hashed
   - Monitors only top-level folders (folder depth = 1) for simplicity and safety
   
   Workflow Breakdown
   
   1. Trigger and Configuration
   
   The automation starts with a Google Drive Trigger node that checks a designated folder every 15 minutes for new file uploads. Alongside this, a Config node sets four key parameters:
   
   - keep: chooses whether to keep the 'first' or 'last' duplicate file
   - action: defines if duplicates should be 'flagged' or sent to 'trash'
   - owner: identifies the account handling the files
   - folder: targets the specific folder for checks
   
   2. File Retrieval and Filtering
   
   The “Working Folder” node retrieves the files from the specified folder, using filters to only return files owned by a specified user. It is followed by a filtering step that excludes Google Drive-native formats such as Docs or Sheets, since these cannot be hashed and reliably compared.
   
   3. Deduplication Logic
   
   Depending on the selected “keep” strategy, the workflow routes files to either the “Deduplicate Keep First” or “Deduplicate Keep Last” logic node. These are code nodes running JavaScript, where files are sorted by creation date. The script assesses if each file is a duplicate by comparing its MD5 hash to previously seen hashes.
   
   - Files without MD5 checksums are automatically exempted from dedupe.
   - Files identified as duplicates are flagged as such with a boolean field isDuplicate.
   
   4. Determining and Processing Duplicates
   
   The next node further filters for files marked as duplicates. Then, based on the user-defined "action" setting, the workflow chooses one of the following processing paths:
   
   - Trash: Sends duplicates to Google Drive’s trash bin using a deleteFile operation.
   - Flag: Renames duplicates with a "DUPLICATE-" prefix unless they already have it.
   
   If a file already starts with "DUPLICATE-", the workflow uses a No Operation node to skip renaming it again.
   
   Visual Organizers: Sticky Notes
   
   To help users navigate and modify the workflow easily, several sticky note nodes are included directly in the n8n canvas:
   
   - Section 1 details how to configure polling intervals and working folders safely.
   - Section 2 explains the behavior and effect of 'keep' and 'action' parameters.
   - Notes also clarify why Google Docs files are ignored and how to tailor folder depth filtering.
   
   Customization Tips
   
   - The trigger can be widened to scan the full Drive, but this is only recommended with caution.
   - Additional filters can be added to target specific file types or naming conventions.
   - Trash actions are reversible within a 30-day window, allowing for safety and review.
   
   Why This Matters
   
   For individuals and teams managing large amounts of shared documents, routine duplicate detection can save time, reduce clutter, and lower cloud storage costs. By automating these processes, users minimize human error and ensure consistency in handling duplicates. This workflow uses no-code logic blocks where possible, making it accessible even to non-developers.
   
   Conclusion
   
   Whether you're an automation enthusiast or an operations engineer managing organizational cloud storages, n8n offers a flexible and transparent way to bring control and order to your Google Drive files. With just a few parameter tweaks, you can tailor how duplicates are handled—and let n8n do the heavy lifting from there.
   
   By pairing powerful automation with intelligent configuration, this workflow shows how n8n is not just a tool for nerds—it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to streamline their file management in the cloud age.

5. Set credentials for each API node (keys, OAuth) in Credentials.
6. Run a test via Execute Workflow. Inspect Run Data, then adjust parameters.
7. Enable the workflow to run on schedule, webhook, or triggers as configured.

Tips: keep secrets in credentials, add retries and timeouts on HTTP nodes, implement error notifications, and paginate large API fetches.

Validation: use IF/Code nodes to sanitize inputs and guard against empty payloads.

Why Automate This with AI Agents

AI‑assisted automations offload repetitive, error‑prone tasks to a predictable workflow. Instead of manual copy‑paste and ad‑hoc scripts, your team gets a governed pipeline with versioned state, auditability, and observable runs.

n8n’s node graph makes data flow transparent while AI‑powered enrichment (classification, extraction, summarization) boosts throughput and consistency. Teams reclaim time, reduce operational costs, and standardize best practices without sacrificing flexibility.

Compared to one‑off integrations, an AI agent is easier to extend: swap APIs, add filters, or bolt on notifications without rewriting everything. You get reliability, control, and a faster path from idea to production.

Best Practices

• Credentials: restrict scopes and rotate tokens regularly.
• Resilience: configure retries, timeouts, and backoff for API nodes.
• Data Quality: validate inputs; normalize fields early to reduce downstream branching.
• Performance: batch records and paginate for large datasets.
• Observability: add failure alerts (Email/Slack) and persistent logs for auditing.
• Security: avoid sensitive data in logs; use environment variables and n8n credentials.

FAQs

Can I swap integrations later? Yes. Replace or add nodes and re‑map fields without rebuilding the whole flow.

How do I monitor failures? Use Execution logs and add notifications on the Error Trigger path.

Does it scale? Use queues, batching, and sub‑workflows to split responsibilities and control load.

Is my data safe? Keep secrets in Credentials, restrict token scopes, and review access logs.