n8n-nodes-github-app-auth

Custom n8n node for GitHub with GitHub App authentication support.

Features

• GitHub App Authentication: Authenticate using GitHub App credentials (App ID, Installation ID, Private Key)
• Full GitHub API Support: All operations from the standard GitHub node (Files, Issues, Repositories, Releases, etc.)
• Automatic Token Management: JWT generation and installation token caching with automatic refresh
• Enhanced Security: Uses short-lived installation access tokens instead of long-lived PATs

Installation

From npm (Recommended)

npm install n8n-nodes-github-app-auth

Then restart your n8n instance and the node will be available.

From Source

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/galsalo/n8n-custom-nodes.git
   cd n8n-custom-nodes/packages/n8n-nodes-github-app

2. Build the node:

   npm install
   npm run build

3. Install in n8n:

   • Copy the package to n8n's custom nodes directory
   • Or link it locally for development

GitHub App Setup

1. Create a GitHub App:

   • Go to GitHub Settings → Developer settings → GitHub Apps → New GitHub App
   • Set required permissions (repo, issues, pull requests, etc.)
   • Generate a private key (download the .pem file)

2. Install the App:

   • Install the app on your organization or repositories
   • Note the Installation ID from the URL: https://github.com/settings/installations/{installation_id}

3. Get App Credentials:

   • App ID: Found in app settings
   • Installation ID: From the installation URL
   • Private Key: The .pem file content (include BEGIN/END lines)

Configuration in n8n

1. Add Credentials:

   • In n8n, go to Credentials → Add Credential
   • Select "GitHub App API"
   • Fill in:
     • GitHub Server: https://api.github.com (or your GitHub Enterprise URL)
     • App ID: Your GitHub App ID
     • Installation ID: The installation ID
     • Private Key: Paste the entire .pem file content

2. Use the Node:

   • Add "GitHub App" node to your workflow
   • Select your credentials
   • Choose resource and operation

Supported Operations

• File: Create, Delete, Edit, Get, List
• Issue: Create, Comment, Edit, Get, Lock
• Release: Create, Delete, Get, Get All, Update
• Repository: Get, Get Issues, Get Pull Requests, Get License, Get Profile, List Paths, List Referrers
• Review: Create, Get, Get All, Update
• Organization: Get Repositories
• User: Get Repositories, Invite
• Workflow: Dispatch, Dispatch and Wait, Enable, Disable, Get, Get Usage, List

Authentication Flow

1. JWT Generation: Creates a short-lived JWT (10 min) signed with your private key
2. Installation Token: Exchanges JWT for an installation access token (1 hour)
3. Token Caching: Tokens are cached and automatically refreshed when needed
4. API Requests: All requests use the installation token

Best Practices

• Private Key Security: Never commit your private key to source control
• Minimal Permissions: Grant only necessary permissions to your GitHub App
• Installation Scope: Install the app only on required repositories
• Token Refresh: The node handles token refresh automatically

Development

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build
npm run build

# Watch mode for development
npm run dev

Troubleshooting

Node doesn't appear in n8n

• Verify dist/ directory exists and contains compiled files
• Check n8n logs for loading errors
• Ensure package.json n8n section is correct

Authentication errors

• Verify App ID and Installation ID are correct numbers
• Ensure private key includes BEGIN and END lines
• Check GitHub App has required permissions
• Verify app is installed on the target repository

JWT signing errors

• Ensure private key is in valid PEM format
• Try copying the key from GitHub again
• Check for extra spaces or line breaks

License

MIT

Author

galsalo