Overview
The CrewAI Crew Executor node allows you to execute a previously created CrewAI crew within an n8n workflow. A "crew" here refers to a predefined set of automated tasks or processes managed by the CrewAI platform. This node is useful when you want to trigger and run these crews dynamically as part of your automation pipelines.
Common scenarios include:
- Running a specific crew based on workflow logic, either by selecting it from a list or connecting a Crew node directly.
- Providing custom input data in JSON format to tailor the execution context for each run.
- Controlling execution behavior with options like asynchronous execution, maximum allowed runtime, and enabling memory across executions.
Practical examples:
- Triggering a customer support crew that automates ticket triage and response generation.
- Executing a data processing crew that transforms and enriches incoming data before passing it downstream.
- Running a marketing automation crew asynchronously to handle bulk campaign tasks without blocking the main workflow.
Properties
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Crew Selection Method | How to specify which crew to execute: - Connect Crew Node: connect a Crew node to input - Select from List: choose a crew from a dropdown list |
| Crew | The specific crew to execute (dropdown list loaded dynamically). Required if selection method is "Select from List". |
| Input Data for Execution | JSON-formatted input data provided to the crew during execution. Defaults to empty object {}. |
| Execution Options | Collection of options controlling execution behavior: - Async Execution: run crew asynchronously (true/false) - Max Execution Time (seconds): max allowed runtime (default 3600) - Enable Memory: enable memory persistence across execution (true/false) |
| Report Issue | Notice with links to report bugs or get help with this node. |
| Request Feature | Notice with links to request new features or enhancements for this node. |
Output
The node outputs an array of JSON objects representing the results returned from the executed crew. Each output item corresponds to one input item processed by the node.
- The
jsonfield contains the crew execution result data. - If an error occurs during execution and "Continue On Fail" is enabled, the output will contain an
errorfield with the error message instead. - The node does not output binary data.
Dependencies
- Requires an API key credential for authenticating with the CrewAI platform.
- Uses the CrewAI REST API endpoints to fetch crews and execute them.
- The node expects network connectivity to the CrewAI service.
- No additional environment variables are required beyond the API credential.
Troubleshooting
- Invalid JSON in Execution Input field: If the input JSON is malformed, the node throws an error. Ensure the JSON syntax is correct.
- Missing Crew ID: When using "Select from List", the crew must be selected; otherwise, an error is thrown.
- API request failures: Network issues or invalid credentials can cause errors. Verify API key validity and network access.
- Timeouts: If the crew execution exceeds the specified max execution time, it may be terminated or fail.
- To debug, enable "Continue On Fail" to capture errors per item without stopping the entire workflow.