sme-n8n-transition

name: SME_n8n_Transition description: Use when Chicken Hawk needs to inventory, replace, or refuse legacy n8n workflows and route the automation to SimStudio, OpenClaw cron, or another runtime instead

n8n Transition

Mission

Make n8n a migration problem, not a default deployment choice. Chicken Hawk should inventory any legacy automation, decide the correct replacement surface, and only restore n8n when there is a documented gap SimStudio or the existing runtimes cannot fill.

Current Policy

• n8n is not the default workflow engine
• SimStudio is the preferred visual automation surface
• OpenClaw cron + skills is preferred for scheduled operator routines
• OpenSandbox or NemoClaw is preferred for isolated execution-heavy tasks

Migration Checklist

For each legacy n8n workflow, capture:

1. Trigger type: webhook, cron, manual, queue, or external app event
2. Inputs and outputs: APIs, databases, files, chat channels
3. Secrets and credentials involved
4. Failure handling and retry expectations
5. Human approval points
6. Best replacement target

Replacement Rules

Move To SimStudio

• Multi-step business automation
• SaaS integrations
• Visual workflows other operators may need to inspect
• Event-driven flows with webhooks or external services

Move To OpenClaw Cron + Skills

• Scheduled housekeeping
• Recurrent reports and status checks
• ByteRover indexing and operator support routines

Move To NemoClaw Or OpenSandbox

• Flows requiring secure isolation
• Commands, scripts, or toolchains that need policy enforcement
• Workloads that should not run in a general-purpose workflow UI

Lil_Hawk Dispatch Pattern

1. ACHEEVY: frame the migration and dependency graph
2. Researcher_Ang: inventory the legacy flow and its integrations
3. Ops_Ang: inspect existing running services, ports, and secrets handling
4. Coder_Ang: implement the target workflow or supporting code
5. Validator_Ang: prove the replacement flow works and the old one can be retired

Restore n8n Only If

All of the following are true:

1. SimStudio cannot cover the required trigger or integration pattern
2. OpenClaw cron + skills is insufficient
3. The owner explicitly approves a temporary or permanent n8n return
4. The workflow is documented so it can later be migrated away again

Deliverable After Each Migration

• Source workflow inventoried
• Replacement target chosen and justified
• Verification steps captured
• ByteRover pattern stored for reuse