Python Code Node (Native)
When to Use
Use for bounded Python transformations in an n8n Code node when native nodes or
expressions are insufficient. Check the installed n8n version and task runner first.
Runtime contract
n8n 2 removed the legacy Pyodide runtime. Native Python uses _items in all-items
mode and _item in per-item mode; legacy _input, _json, _node and _now
helpers are unavailable. Self-hosted imports depend on installed runner packages
and explicit allowlists. Cloud imports may be unavailable, including standard
modules. JavaScript imports are restricted too; switching languages does not
provide unrestricted filesystem, networking or package access.
Examples
All-items mode, with no imports:
return [
{"json": {"id": item["json"].get("id"), "processed": True},
"pairedItem": {"item": index}}
for index, item in enumerate(_items)
if item["json"].get("active")
]
Per-item mode:
return {"json": {**_item["json"], "name_upper": (_item["json"].get("name") or "").upper()}}
Validate actual input types before string operations. Use HTTP Request nodes with
managed credentials for remote calls and enforce allowed destinations. Do not log
payloads/tokens or execute code supplied by webhook users. Keep item count, input
size and runtime bounded; prepare changes in an inactive test workflow before
activating workflows that send messages, spend money or modify external systems.
Detailed Guide
Read the guide for transformation patterns and
migration caveats. The referenced upstream auxiliary files are not bundled.
Limitations
No workflow or runner is included. Import availability and output normalization
must be checked in the deployed version; item linking, binary data and aggregation
require explicit handling. No runtime tests are established by these examples.
Primary runtime reference: n8n Code node documentation source.