When building any automation workflow in n8n, everything starts with a “trigger.” Triggers listen for events and kick off your workflows — whether that’s a webhook call, a chat message, an RSS update, or a new email. In this complete guide to N8N Triggers (chat, webhook, email, form, RSS, Slack, Teams, Telegram, cron, WhatsApp), we’ll break down how each trigger works, when to use them, and walk you through real-world examples to spark ideas for your own automations.
If you’re just starting with n8n or planning to scale your automation, understanding triggers is key to building efficient and powerful workflows.
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How Triggers Work in n8n
Triggers in n8n are special nodes that initiate workflows. Unlike regular nodes that execute based on prior steps, trigger nodes run automatically when a specific condition or event occurs — making them ideal for real-time or scheduled automation.
Each workflow must start with exactly one trigger node. These triggers can be customized with credentials, filters, and expressions depending on the source type (e.g., email vs webhook).
Let’s explore each of the most commonly used n8n triggers and how to configure them.
Webhook Trigger
What It Does
The Webhook trigger listens for incoming HTTP requests and launches a workflow when data is received. This is perfect for integrating with forms, CRMs, Stripe, web apps, and any service that supports webhook-based APIs.
Step-by-Step: Webhook Setup
- Add the Webhook node to an empty workflow.
- Set a path — e.g.,
/new-lead. - Choose between
GET,POST, or other methods. - Activate the workflow.
- Copy the secure webhook URL generated by n8n.
Use this URL in your external service to send data every time a specific event happens.
Example Use Case
- Connect your contact form to n8n.
- Capture form submissions and create leads in Airtable.
- Follow up automatically via email or Telegram.
For advanced use, learn how to self-host n8n securely.
Email Trigger
What It Does
The Email trigger listens for new emails via IMAP or POP3 accounts. It’s ideal for automating tasks from incoming emails like support tickets, order requests, or newsletter responses.
Step-by-Step: Email Trigger Setup
- Drag the Email Trigger node.
- Configure with your email server and credentials.
- Set filters (e.g., “Only unread,” “Subject contains”).
- Optionally match specific senders or content.
- Activate the workflow and monitor email activity.
Mini Use Case
When an email with the subject “Invoice” arrives, the workflow:
- Extracts the attachment,
- Saves it to Google Drive,
- Sends a confirmation Slack message.
Chat-Based Triggers (Slack, Teams, Telegram, WhatsApp)
Slack Trigger
- Requires a Slack App with appropriate OAuth scopes.
- Listens to mentions, DMs, or specific channel messages.
Use it to:
- Monitor for specific keywords.
- Slam messages into Notion, Asana, or Trello.
- Trigger AI support agents using n8n conversational workflows.
Telegram Trigger
- Very beginner-friendly.
- Set up with a bot token and chat ID.
- Triggers on any message sent to your bot.
Telegram automation is ideal for real-time personal alerts, reminders, or even controlling smart home devices.
Microsoft Teams Trigger
- Works similarly to Slack.
- Requires webhook URL from Teams.
- Fires on new messages in channels.
WhatsApp Trigger (via third-party like Twilio)
n8n supports WhatsApp through providers like Twilio. Your WhatsApp number sends messages to your Twilio webhook, which in turn triggers n8n workflows.
Use it to:
- Run customer support workflows.
- Automate reply bots.
- Log conversations to CRMs.
Cron Trigger (Time-Based)
What It Does
The Cron trigger doesn’t depend on external data. It executes based on a schedule — similar to crontab in Linux.
Use it to run workflows hourly, daily, weekly, or even to the second.
Setup Steps
- Drop the Cron node as a trigger.
- Choose intervals: every X minutes/hours/days or set a custom cron expression.
- Activate the workflow.
This is incredibly useful for:
- Daily backups,
- Time-triggered API calls,
- Sending scheduled reports.
Helpful for maintaining workflows like automated n8n backups.
RSS Trigger
What It Does
The RSS trigger monitors any RSS feed. When new content is published, it initiates the workflow.
Perfect for bloggers, marketers, or anyone who wants alerts for new content in real-time.
How to Configure
- Add the RSS node as the trigger.
- Paste the RSS feed URL.
- Set how often n8n should poll the feed.
- Run the workflow and wait for new posts!
Real-World Example
Monitor a blog’s RSS feed and when a new post is published:
- Post to Slack internally.
- Create a LinkedIn post with AI-generated captions.
- Save the article title and URL to Notion.
Form Integration with Triggers
While n8n does not have a native "form trigger", forms (like Typeform, Tally, Google Forms) integrate seamlessly via Webhook.
Example Flow
- Connect Google Form via webhook.
- Each form submission runs a workflow.
- The workflow:
- Sends a thank-you email (using Email node),
- Adds the user to a database (Airtable, PostgreSQL),
- Sends you a Slack message with their answers.
Quick Trigger Comparison Table
Below is a simplified comparison of trigger types, their use cases, and setup complexity:
| Trigger Type | Best For | Setup Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Webhook | Forms, APIs, CRM tools | 🔧 Medium |
| Lead gen, ticketing, alerts | ⚠️ High | |
| Cron | Scheduled tasks, reports | ✅ Easy |
| RSS | Monitoring blog/news updates | ✅ Easy |
| Slack/Telegram | Real-time message automation | 🔧 Medium |
| Customer communication (via API) | ⚠️ High | |
| Teams | Enterprise notifications | 🔧 Medium |
Best Practices for Using N8N Triggers
- Always test trigger nodes before rolling them out.
- Pair triggers with filtering nodes (IF, Switch) to avoid unnecessary executions.
- Use environment variables or expressions to customize outputs dynamically.
- Secure webhook nodes with authentication headers or secrets.
If you're migrating workflows from other tools like Make or Integromat, here's a complete guide to converting them to n8n.
FAQ
What is the most common trigger used in n8n?
The Webhook trigger is one of the most used due to its flexibility. It allows integration with virtually any service using HTTP requests, including forms, web apps, and third-party tools.
Can I use multiple triggers in a single workflow?
No. Each n8n workflow supports one trigger node. If you need multiple entry points, you must create separate workflows or trigger one workflow from another using the Execute Workflow node.
How do I secure my webhook trigger?
Use authentication headers, API keys, or create a secret URL path. For higher security, combine it with a filtering node to whitelist IPs or tokens.
How often does the RSS or Cron trigger check?
You can configure polling intervals. For RSS, the minimum check interval is every minute. Cron expressions allow for precise scheduling down to the second.
Is WhatsApp supported natively?
Not currently. You'll need to use a service like Twilio or 360dialog that converts WhatsApp messages into webhooks or API calls n8n can receive.
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