Using Server URL Secret Token and n8n external secret management via enterprise

[Spectrem12]

Problem / Questions

• I am currently testing the cloud hosted version for the n8n free trial.

• I am trying to use Vapi to communicate with an n8n webhook, but in vapi, the tool setup is asking for “server secret url token”.

• N8n only has external secret management with the enterprise hosting service, correct?

• What does that mean exactly? That you are unable to connect Vapi to the webhook without using the enterprise version?

• Is there a way for someone who is only a sole proprietor to be able to work with this situation? (Assume that I have minimal experience with web security and authentication)

• For additional context, I am able to create a tool within Vapi and only use the server URL for the webhook and not include the URL secret token, but n8n does not seem to receive anything while the node is waiting, so I ASSUME that it is b/c I do not have the server URL secret token set in the Vapi tool.

• Lastly, for even more additional context, I plan on utilizing this workflow as part of an overarching solution with many customers. Meaning, that the workflow may be duplicated per future customer and this may impact the amount of additional work of any work-around that is suggested.

Note: I much prefer n8n vs make due to it being more inclined towards developers as well as no-code individuals. So any suggestions on the work-around would be appreciated.

Thanks

[n8n]

It looks like your topic is missing some important information. Could you provide the following if applicable.

• n8n version:
• Database (default: SQLite):
• n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main):
• Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app):
• Operating system:

[aya]

Hi @Spectrem12, thanks for posting!

By Vapi, are you referring to vapi.ai? If so, could you describe a bit more about what you’re trying to achieve with the workflow you’re building so we can better understand your use case for your workflow? (Would be great if you could share your workflow JSON by pasting it between ``` too)

External secrets in n8n doesn’t affect if a workflow runs correctly. It’s a feature to keep secrets and keys safe without changing how workflows work so you should be able to get a workflow working without this feature.

Assuming that you’ve created a voice assistant in Vapi.ai (sorry if it’s another tool you’re referring to) and want to trigger an n8n webhook to run a workflow in n8n to retrieve some data from the assistant, you’ll need:

• Webhook URL
• a header called x-vapi-secret: You can set the value of this parameter by selecting Authentication > Header Auth in n8n. It should be a string e.g. 1234

Then copy these two values into the Server URL section in the Vapi dashboard:

Let me know if that helps!

[Spectrem12]

Thank you for your response.

Yes, I was referring to vapi.ai, I should have specified.

My workflow on n8n is just a webhook right now, so there isnt much to show.
Either way, your answer provided me with what I needed. The webhook is now receiving the data.