This article provides a complete, practical walkthrough of the Webhook Code Automation Webhook 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:
   Building a Basic PDF Digital Signing Service with n8n
   
   Meta Description:
   Discover how to automate PDF digital signing using a low-code approach with n8n. Learn how to generate certificates, upload files, sign PDFs, and download signed documents effortlessly.
   
   Keywords:
   n8n, PDF digital signing, digital signature, certificate generation, workflow automation, node-forge, pfx certificate, PKCS#12, SignPDF, document automation, file upload, PDF processing
   
   Third-Party Libraries and APIs Used:
   
   - node-forge: For generating RSA key pairs, creating X.509 self-signed certificates, and exporting them in PEM and PKCS#12 (PFX) formats.
   - @signpdf/signpdf: For digitally signing PDF documents.
   - @signpdf/signer-p12: Provides P12 (PKCS#12) signing capabilities used with SignPDF.
   - @signpdf/placeholder-plain: Utilized to add signature placeholder fields in the PDF before signing.
   
   Article:
   
   Creating a Basic PDF Digital Sign Service Using n8n
   
   In the digital era, document security and authentication are paramount, especially when dealing with legal or official records. One modern solution for this is digitally signing PDF files to verify their origin and prevent tampering. While enterprise-level solutions exist, they often come with a steep learning curve and significant costs. Enter n8n — an open-source, low-code workflow automation tool — which provides the flexibility to build customized automation pipelines like a PDF digital signature service.
   
   In this article, we walk through how to create a fully functional PDF signing service using n8n, enabling users to:
   
   - Upload a PDF and digital certificate (.pfx)
   - Generate a digital certificate and key pair
   - Digitally sign a PDF using a private key
   - Download signed documents
   
   Let’s dive into the components that make this workflow work seamlessly.
   
   🏗️ Workflow Highlights
   
   This n8n workflow is segmented into the following core functionalities:
   
   1. Request Routing and Parameter Handling
   2. File Upload (PDF and Certificate)
   3. Key Generation with Self-Signed Certificates
   4. PDF Digital Signing
   5. Document Downloading and Response Handling
   
   1. Request Routing & Operation Switching
   
   At the beginning of the workflow, all POST requests hit a webhook (API POST Endpoint) exposed at /docu-digi-sign. Based on the body request's method field (e.g., upload, genKey, signPdf, download), the workflow's Switch Operation node routes the request to the necessary implementation path.
   
   2. Uploading Files: Documents and Certificates
   
   Two types of uploads are handled via the method=upload route:
   
   - PDF documents (uploadType: pdfDoc)
   - PFX certificate files (uploadType: signKey)
   
   Uploaded files are validated to ensure base64-encoded data is provided, then converted to binary using n8n's Convert to File node. Dynamically generated filenames help avoid file collisions, and they're stored in a defined directory (/data/files/ or /tmp).
   
   3. Generating Certificates and Keys
   
   Users can also generate private keys and self-signed certificates with the method=genKey route. The workflow checks for essential fields like:
   
   - subjectCN
   - issuerCN
   - serialNumber
   - validFrom / validTo (in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format)
   - password (for PKCS#12 encryption)
   
   Using node-forge, the Generate Keys node creates:
   
   - An RSA key pair
   - A self-signed X.509 certificate
   - A PKCS#12 (PFX) file with the private key and certificate
   - PEM versions of both the private key and certificate
   These files are saved to disk, and the user receives file paths for downloading or later use in PDF signing.
   
   4. Digitally Signing a PDF
   
   Once the certificate is ready, users sign their PDF using method=signPdf. This stage reads both the PDF document and the PFX file from disk. The following tools are used:
   
   - @signpdf/placeholder-plain: Adds a placeholder field in the PDF file where the digital signature will go.
   - @signpdf/signer-p12: Uses the PFX file and password to digitally sign the document.
   - @signpdf/signpdf: Actually signs the PDF buffer and outputs a digitally signed version.
   
   The output is a new signed document, named `signed_<timestamp>.pdf`, saved to the /data/files/ folder.
   
   5. File Download Endpoint
   
   Through a GET request to /docu-download with a fileName query parameter, users can retrieve their uploaded or generated files. The file is read from disk and returned as a downloadable attachment using n8n’s Respond to Webhook node with binary support.
   
   📂 File Path Management
   
   One critical aspect of this workflow is centralizing file storage paths. The "set file path" node ensures both PDFs and keys share a common storage directory for better management and accessibility. This prevents hardcoding paths into specific nodes and enables better portability.
   
   ✅ Error Handling and Success Responses
   
   Throughout the process, validation nodes ensure required parameters are passed. If any step fails (e.g., missing parameters, file read/write issues, signature errors), the workflow promptly returns a JSON response with an error message. Conversely, upon successful completion, the Prepare Success Response node sends back useful information like filenames and confirmation flags.
   
   ✍️ Final Thoughts
   
   This n8n workflow is a fantastic representation of how low-code platforms can be harnessed to perform complex cryptographic tasks such as certificate creation and digital PDF signing. From certificate generation to file management and robust validation, the workflow delivers a modular and transparent automation service.
   
   With n8n’s visual approach, customization becomes easy for non-developers and power users alike. Whether you're building an internal document processing system or offering a public-facing signing service, this workflow provides a scalable and secure foundation.
   
   💼 Use Cases:
   
   - Legal document workflows
   - Invoice and contract approvals
   - Internal compliance workflows
   - E-signature starter platforms
   
   By leveraging open-source tools such as node-forge and SignPDF within n8n, developers can avoid complicated manual configurations while still ensuring strong cryptographic integrity.
   
   ⏭️ What’s Next?
   
   Future improvements could include:
   
   - Integrating user authentication
   - Adding signatures to specific PDF pages or locations
   - Encrypting uploaded certificates for additional security
   - Storing data in a database for audit tracking purposes
   
   With the power of n8n and JavaScript extensibility, your PDF digital signing service can evolve rapidly to meet growing digital document security demands.

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.