Category Router with Sentinels Preventing Merge Stalls
Read the execution path horizontally, with supporting AI nodes below. Layout changes affect this preview only; the download stays unchanged.
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Workflow Description
Routes records into 'urgent' and 'other' branches by a trimmed, lowercased category field and injects an is_sentinel=true item into any empty branch so Merge always receives both inputs. After merging, sentinels are removed and one report is built with real item counts per branch, their IDs, empty branches by name and invalid rule-field count; a Set node adds a text summary and status. Runs locally on fictional data with no external calls.
How it works
- 1.Manual Trigger starts
- 2.Code emits four fictional records incl. two invalid categories
- 3.Code classifies and adds sentinels for empty branches
- 4.IF routes on _branch
- 5.NoOp per path, then Merge in append mode
- 6.Code drops sentinels and builds a single report
- 7.Set adds summary and status
Use cases
- Split and re-join batches without stalls
- Surface empty branches explicitly
Requirements
- No credentials required
- Adjust ROUTING_FIELD and ROUTING_VALUE for your data
Setup and testing in n8n
- Import and run manually
- Confirm report lists 'urgent' as empty
- Add a category 'urgent' record and confirm no empty branch
- Make the sample node return [{json:{}}] and confirm zero counts in both branches
Service Value
Ready-made workflow template for automation delivery and service execution.
Apps Used
Details
How to Use
- 1.Click "Download Template"
- 2.Open your n8n dashboard
- 3.Go to Workflows > Import from File
- 4.Select downloaded file and configure credentials
Nodes Used (9)
Manual Trigger
Manual Trigger
Emit Fictional Sample Records
Code
Classify and Add Sentinels
Code
Is Urgent Branch?
If
Urgent Path
No Op
Other Path
No Op
Merge Branches
Merge
Remove Sentinels and Build Report
Code
Format Summary
Set
Note Stages
Sticky Note
Note Setup
Sticky Note
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