n8n-impl-webhooks

n8n Webhook Implementation

Quick Reference

Aspect	Details
Trigger node	Webhook
HTTP methods	GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD
Test URL	<base>/webhook-test/<path>
Production URL	<base>/webhook/<path>
Response modes	4 (Immediately, Last Node, Respond to Webhook, Streaming)
Auth methods	4 (None, Basic Auth, Header Auth, JWT Auth)
Payload limit	16MB default (N8N_PAYLOAD_SIZE_MAX)
Response node	Respond to Webhook (8 response types)

Critical: Test vs Production URLs

ALWAYS understand the two-URL system before deploying webhooks:

Test URL

• Format: <base>/webhook-test/<path>
• Active when: Clicking "Listen for Test Event" or running manually in the editor
• Data display: Results appear directly in the workflow editor
• Use for: Development and testing ONLY
• Env var: N8N_ENDPOINT_WEBHOOK_TEST (default: webhook-test)

Production URL

• Format: <base>/webhook/<path>
• Active when: Workflow is activated (published)
• Data display: Results appear ONLY in the Executions tab
• Use for: Live integrations and external services
• Env var: N8N_ENDPOINT_WEBHOOK (default: webhook)

WEBHOOK_URL Environment Variable

ALWAYS set WEBHOOK_URL when n8n is behind a reverse proxy:

WEBHOOK_URL=https://n8n.example.com/

Without this, n8n generates URLs using its internal hostname, which external services cannot reach.

Decision Tree: Response Mode

Need to respond to the caller?
|
+-- No --> "Immediately" (returns 200 + "Workflow got started")
|
+-- Yes --> Need custom response logic?
    |
    +-- No --> "When Last Node Finishes" (returns last node's data)
    |   |
    |   +-- Response Data options:
    |       - All Entries: array of all items
    |       - First Entry JSON: single JSON object
    |       - First Entry Binary: binary file download
    |       - No Response Body: empty 200
    |
    +-- Yes --> Need streaming?
        |
        +-- Yes --> "Streaming" (real-time data from streaming-capable nodes)
        |
        +-- No --> "Using 'Respond to Webhook' Node"
                   (full control: JSON, text, binary, JWT, redirect, etc.)