Standard parameters

These are the standard parameters for the node base file. They're the same for all node types.

displayName

String | Required

This is the name users see in the n8n GUI.

name

String | Required

The internal name of the object. Used to reference it from other places in the node.

icon

String or Object | Required

Specifies an icon for a particular node. n8n recommends uploading your own image file.

You can provide the icon file name as a string, or as an object to handle different icons for light and dark modes. If the icon works in both light and dark modes, use a string that starts with file:, indicating the path to the icon file. For example:

icon: 'file:exampleNodeIcon.svg'

To provide different icons for light and dark modes, use an object with light and dark properties. For example:

icon: { 
  light: 'file:exampleNodeIcon.svg', 
  dark: 'file:exampleNodeIcon.dark.svg' 
}

n8n recommends using an SVG for your node icon, but you can also use PNG. If using PNG, the icon resolution should be 60x60px. Node icons should have a square or near-square aspect ratio.

group

Array of strings | Required

Tells n8n how the node behaves when the workflow runs. Options are:

• trigger: node waits for a trigger.
• schedule: node waits for a timer to expire.
• input, output, transform: these currently have no effect.
• An empty array, []. Use this as the default option if you don't need trigger or schedule.

description

String | Required

A short description of the node. n8n uses this in the GUI.

defaults

Object | Required

Contains essential brand and name settings.

The object can include:

• name: String. Used as the node name on the canvas if the displayName is too long.
• color: String. Hex color code. Provide the brand color of the integration for use in n8n.

forceInputNodeExecution

Boolean | Optional

When building a multi-input node, you can choose to force all preceding nodes on all branches to execute before the node runs. The default is false (requiring only one input branch to run).

inputs

Array of strings | Required

Names the input connectors. Controls the number of connectors the node has on the input side. If you need only one connector, use input: ['main'].

outputs

Array of strings | Required

Names the output connectors. Controls the number of connectors the node has on the output side. If you need only one connector, use output: ['main'].

requiredInputs

Integer or Array | Optional

Used for multi-input nodes. Specify inputs by number that must have data (their branches must run) before the node can execute.

credentials

Array of objects | Required

This parameter tells n8n the credential options. Each object defines an authentication type.

The object must include:

• name: the credential name. Must match the name property in the credential file. For example, name: 'asanaApi' in Asana.node.ts links to name = 'asanaApi' in AsanaApi.credential.ts.
• required: Boolean. Specify whether authentication is required to use this node.

requestDefaults

Object | Required

Set up the basic information for the API calls the node makes.

This object must include:

• baseURL: The API base URL.

You can also add:

• headers: an object describing the API call headers, such as content type.
• url: string. Appended to the baseURL. You can usually leave this out. It's more common to provide this in the operations.

properties

Array of objects | Required

This contains the resource and operations objects that define node behaviors, as well as objects to set up mandatory and optional fields that can receive user input.

Resource objects

A resource object includes the following parameters:

• displayName: String. This should always be Resource.
• name: String. This should always be resource.
• type: String. Tells n8n which UI element to use, and what input type to expect. For example, options results in n8n adding a dropdown that allows users to choose one option. Refer to Node UI elements for more information.
• noDataExpression: Boolean. Prevents using an expression for the parameter. Must always be true for resource.

Operations objects

The operations object defines the available operations on a resource.

• displayName: String. This should always be Options.
• name: String. This should always be option.
• type: String. Tells n8n which UI element to use, and what input type to expect. For example, dateTime results in n8n adding a date picker. Refer to Node UI elements for more information.
• noDataExpression: Boolean. Prevents using an expression for the parameter. Must always be true for operation.
• options: Array of objects. Each objects describes an operation's behavior, such as its routing, the REST verb it uses, and so on. An options object includes:
  • name. String.
  • value. String.
  • action: String. This parameter combines the resource and operation. You should always include it, as n8n will use it in future versions. For example, given a resource called "Card" and an operation "Get all", your action is "Get all cards".
  • description: String.
  • routing: Object containing request details.

Additional fields objects

These objects define optional parameters. n8n displays them under Additional Fields in the GUI. Users can choose which parameters to set.

The objects must include:

displayName: 'Additional Fields',
name: 'additionalFields',
// The UI element type
type: ''
placeholder: 'Add Field',
default: {},
displayOptions: {
  // Set which resources and operations this field is available for
  show: {
    resource: [
      // Resource names
    ],
    operation: [
      // Operation names
    ]
  },
}

For more information about UI element types, refer to UI elements.