Monitor a file for changes and send an alert
Needs changesNeeds changes. This template uses 5 thing(s) that n8n 3.0 removes: Cron, Write Binary File, Read Binary File, Convert to/from binary data, Function (legacy). 5 breaking item(s) found. Static check, last run 2026-10-19.
What this workflow does
This workflow has 9 nodes and runs on a schedule (legacy Cron node). Along the way it connects SIGNL4.
How it runs
Trigger: On a schedule (legacy Cron node).
- Read Binary File: uses Read Binary File
- Binary to JSON (Convert to/from binary data): uses Convert to/from binary data
- If: checks a condition and branches into true / false
- SIGNL4: uses SIGNL4
- SIGNL4: resolve
- Mark as Done (Function): runs custom JavaScript (legacy Function node)
- JSON to Binary (Convert to/from binary data): uses Convert to/from binary data
- Write Binary File: uses Write Binary File
Services it uses
Before you upgrade to n8n 3.0
5 things in this workflow are removed in n8n 3.0. Fix them before you upgrade:
- Cron: replace with Schedule Trigger.
- Write Binary File: replace with Read/Write Files from Disk.
- Read Binary File: replace with Read/Write Files from Disk.
- Convert to/from binary data in Binary to JSON, JSON to Binary: replace with Convert to File or Extract from File.
- Function (legacy) in Mark as Done: replace with Code node, mode 'Run Once for All Items'.
| Removed in 3.0 | Replace with |
|---|---|
| Cron Cron | Schedule Trigger |
| Write Binary File Write Binary File | Read/Write Files from Disk |
| Read Binary File Read Binary File | Read/Write Files from Disk |
| Convert to/from binary data Binary to JSON, JSON to Binary | Convert to File or Extract from File |
| Function (legacy) Mark as Done | Code node, mode 'Run Once for All Items' |
Nodes used (7)
- Cron
n8n-nodes-base.cron - Write Binary File
n8n-nodes-base.writeBinaryFile - Read Binary File
n8n-nodes-base.readBinaryFile - Convert to/from binary data
n8n-nodes-base.moveBinaryData - Function
n8n-nodes-base.function - If
n8n-nodes-base.if - SIGNL4
n8n-nodes-base.signl4
From the author
This flow monitors a file for changes of its content. If changed, an alert is sent out and you receive it as push, SMS or voice call on SIGNL4. User cases: - Log-file monitoring - Monitoring of production data - Integration with third-party systems via file…