This article provides a complete, practical walkthrough of the Manual Stickynote 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: Automating File Processing with n8n: Download, Decompress, and Transform Binary Data
   
   Meta Description: Learn how to use n8n to automate the process of downloading, decompressing, and splitting binary files into individual items. This powerful workflow demonstrates practical data transformation without writing complex scripts.
   
   Keywords: n8n, automation, workflow, file processing, binary data, zip file, decompress files, automation tools, HTTP request, data transformation, no-code automation
   
   Third-party APIs Used:
   
   - External file URL (static.thomasmartens.eu): https://static.thomasmartens.eu/n8n/three_more_files.zip
   
   Article:
   
   In today’s data-driven world, automating the processing of files—whether they come via email, FTP, or web sources—is a major time-saver for developers and non-developers alike. Enter n8n, a powerful, source-available workflow automation tool that lets users build complex workflows without writing much code.
   
   This article explores a simple yet powerful n8n workflow that demonstrates how to download a ZIP file, decompress it, and transform the extracted contents into individual data items for further processing—a typical scenario in many business automation tasks.
   
   Overview of the Workflow
   
   The workflow consists of five main nodes, each with a specific role in the chain:
   
   1. Manual Trigger
   2. HTTP Request (Download File)
   3. Compression Node (Decompress ZIP File)
   4. Function Node (Split Up Binary Data)
   5. Sticky Notes (Documentation Aids)
   
   Let’s walk through each step and explain what’s happening behind the scenes.
   
   Step 1: Initiating the Workflow
   
   Node: On clicking 'execute' (Manual Trigger)
   
   This first node is the manual entry point of the workflow. Rather than relying on a scheduled or event-based trigger, this node allows the workflow to be executed manually via the “Execute Workflow” button in n8n’s editor.
   
   This is especially useful for testing and development purposes, allowing users to trigger and iterate quickly.
   
   Step 2: Downloading the ZIP File
   
   Node: Download Example Data (HTTP Request)
   
   Once the workflow is triggered, the second node downloads a ZIP file from a specified URL. In this example, it fetches three sample binary files packaged under a single ZIP archive from:
   
   https://static.thomasmartens.eu/n8n/three_more_files.zip
   
   This is handled via n8n’s built-in HTTP Request node, configured to expect a file-type response. The ZIP file is stored as binary data once downloaded.
   
   Step 3: Decompressing the ZIP Archive
   
   Node: Decompress Example Data (Compression)
   
   Next, the downloaded ZIP file is sent to the Compression node where its contents are automatically extracted. n8n handles the binary data and returns each file in the archive as a separate binary property within a single item.
   
   For example, if the ZIP file contains three text documents—report1.txt, report2.txt, and report3.txt—they will appear as properties inside the item’s binary object.
   
   Step 4: Splitting Files into Individual Items
   
   Node: Split Up Binary Data (Function)
   
   Here’s where the real transformation happens. By default, n8n returns all extracted files grouped under a single item. To process each file individually, the “Split Up Binary Data” node (a custom Function node) loops through each binary key and creates separate items for each file.
   
   Function Code Used:
   
   let results = [];
   for (item of items) {
       for (key of Object.keys(item.binary)) {
           results.push({
               json: {
                   fileName: item.binary[key].fileName
               },
               binary: {
                   data: item.binary[key],
               }
           });
       }
   }
   return results;
   
   The output from this function is a list of individual items—each with a single binary file under the key binary.data. This makes downstream processing a breeze, as you can treat each file independently in whatever workflow logic follows.
   
   Built-in Documentation
   
   The workflow also includes two helpful sticky notes:
   
   “Example Data”: Explains that the file download and decompression steps are sample operations. In real-world use cases, this could be replaced with FTP nodes, IMAP nodes (for email attachments), or cloud storage services like Google Drive or AWS S3.
   
   “Transformation”: Clarifies that the transformation function is the key to extracting and normalizing the binary data into structured, processable items.
   
   Use Cases
   
   While this example showcases basic functionality, it offers a powerful base for real-world integrations. Here are a few ways to expand this workflow:
   
   - Add a Google Drive upload node to automatically store split files in the cloud.
   - Use the Email Send node to email each file to a designated contact.
   - Apply OCR or file parsing logic (e.g., using the PDF or CSV extractors) in downstream nodes.
   
   Conclusion
   
   This n8n workflow offers a practical foundation for automating file ingestion and transformation processes with minimal effort. It demonstrates how you can combine no-code logic and minimal scripting to turn compressed data into structured individual items—ready for whatever automation you want to build next.
   
   Not only does this approach save time, but it also reduces errors and provides greater scalability for growing teams and systems. Whether you’re managing reports, logs, or multimedia content, n8n is more than capable of handling your file-based automation needs.
   
   Looking for more? Start exploring n8n’s vast repository of nodes and integrations and build workflows tailored to your unique business requirements.
   
   Ready to automate smarter? Let n8n start transforming your tasks today!

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.