How to Automate OpenClaw Workflows with n8n
n8n is a workflow automation platform that connects OpenClaw to hundreds of apps without writing code. This intermediate guide walks you through setting up n8n Cloud, creating webhook-triggered workflows that call OpenClaw, building multi-step automations, and handling errors — turning OpenClaw into the AI engine behind complex business processes.
Why This Is Hard to Do Yourself
These are the common pitfalls that trip people up.
Webhook configuration
OpenClaw needs to send events to n8n via webhooks, and n8n needs to call OpenClaw's API back. Both sides must be configured correctly.
Two-way data flow
Most automations need data flowing in both directions: n8n triggers OpenClaw for AI processing, then routes the response to downstream apps.
Credential management
n8n stores API keys and tokens for connected services. OpenClaw credentials need secure storage and proper scoping.
Testing workflow logic
Multi-step workflows with conditional branches are hard to debug. n8n's execution log helps, but you need to structure workflows for testability.
Step-by-Step Guide
Create an n8n Cloud account
Sign up at n8n.io and create a new workspace. n8n Cloud handles hosting, scaling, and updates so you can focus on building workflows.
# 1. Go to n8n.io and sign up for n8n Cloud
# 2. Create a new workspace
# 3. Note your instance URL: https://your-workspace.app.n8n.cloud
# 4. You'll use this URL for webhook endpointsConfigure OpenClaw webhook output
Set up OpenClaw to send events to n8n when specific actions occur — new conversations, completed tasks, or custom triggers.
# In config/webhooks.yaml:
webhooks:
enabled: true
endpoints:
- name: n8n_automation
url: "https://your-workspace.app.n8n.cloud/webhook/openclaw-events"
events:
- conversation.completed
- task.completed
- escalation.triggered
headers:
Authorization: "Bearer YOUR_N8N_WEBHOOK_SECRET"
retry:
max_attempts: 3
backoff_seconds: 5Warning: Use a unique webhook secret for n8n. Never reuse the same secret across multiple integrations.
Create a webhook-triggered workflow in n8n
Build your first n8n workflow that receives OpenClaw events and processes them.
# In n8n Cloud:
# 1. Create a new workflow
# 2. Add a "Webhook" trigger node
# - HTTP Method: POST
# - Path: openclaw-events
# - Authentication: Header Auth
# - Header Name: Authorization
# - Header Value: Bearer YOUR_N8N_WEBHOOK_SECRET
# 3. Add processing nodes after the webhook
# 4. Activate the workflow to get the live webhook URL
# 5. Copy the production URL back to OpenClaw's configAdd an HTTP Request node to call OpenClaw
For workflows that need to query OpenClaw (summarize a conversation, generate content), add an HTTP Request node that calls the OpenClaw API.
# HTTP Request node settings:
# Method: POST
# URL: http://your-openclaw-host:3000/api/v1/chat
# Authentication: Header Auth
# Header Name: Authorization
# Header Value: Bearer YOUR_OPENCLAW_API_KEY
# Body (JSON):
{
"message": "{{ $json.prompt }}",
"context": {
"source": "n8n",
"workflow_id": "{{ $workflow.id }}"
}
}Build a multi-step automation
Chain multiple nodes together for a complete automation. This example summarizes new support tickets and posts the summary to Slack.
# Example: Support ticket → OpenClaw summary → Slack
#
# Node 1: Webhook (receives ticket from helpdesk)
# Node 2: HTTP Request (sends ticket text to OpenClaw for summarization)
# Node 3: IF node (check if priority is high)
# → True: Slack node (post to #urgent-support)
# → False: Slack node (post to #support-queue)
#
# n8n expressions for the Slack message:
# "New {{ $node["Webhook"].json.priority }} ticket:
# {{ $node["OpenClaw"].json.response }}"Warning: Always add error handling nodes. If OpenClaw is unreachable, the workflow should notify your team rather than silently fail.
Add error handling and retries
Configure error workflows so failed automations are caught and logged.
# In n8n:
# 1. Click the workflow settings (gear icon)
# 2. Set "Error Workflow" to a dedicated error-handling workflow
#
# Error workflow nodes:
# Node 1: Error Trigger
# Node 2: Slack notification with error details:
# "Workflow {{ $json.workflow.name }} failed:
# {{ $json.execution.error.message }}"
# Node 3: (Optional) HTTP Request to log error to your monitoring system
#
# On individual nodes:
# - Settings → "Continue On Fail" for non-critical steps
# - Settings → "Retry On Fail" with max 3 retries for API callsTest and activate the workflow
Use n8n's test webhook feature to verify the full pipeline before going live.
# Testing:
# 1. Click "Test workflow" in n8n
# 2. Send a test event from OpenClaw:
openclaw webhook test n8n_automation --event conversation.completed
# 3. Check the n8n execution log for the test run
# 4. Verify each node received and processed data correctly
# 5. Once confirmed, toggle the workflow to "Active"
# Monitor in production:
# n8n Cloud → Executions → filter by workflowWorkflow Automation Is an Architecture Decision
Webhook configuration, credential management, error handling, multi-step workflows, conditional routing — our integration experts design and build n8n automations that turn OpenClaw into the AI engine behind your business processes.
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