Stack on Cloud

Streamlining Backend Operations: Integrating stackon.cloud with n8n.io Using OpenAPI

March 01, 2025 • 6 min read
By Valeriu

I've created stackon.cloud to solve a persistent problem: the time-consuming setup of backend infrastructure. Today I'm excited to share how you can supercharge your workflow automation by connecting stackon.cloud's PostgreSQL databases and auto-generated REST APIs with n8n.io using the powerful n8n-openapi-node integration. This combination creates a seamless data storage and retrieval system that eliminates repetitive backend coding while giving you all the benefits of a scalable Backend as a Service (BaaS).

The Backend Challenge

We all know the routine: set up a database, build API endpoints, create admin interfaces, establish authentication, and then connect everything to workflow tools. It's tedious, repetitive work that takes time away from solving actual business problems.

This frustration is exactly why I created stackon.cloud. While developing the platform, I realized that its auto-generated OpenAPI specifications open up incredible possibilities when combined with n8n.io's workflow automation capabilities.

The stackon.cloud Advantage

For those who haven't used stackon.cloud yet, it's a Backend as a Service (BaaS) platform I designed to provide managed PostgreSQL databases with auto-generated RESTful APIs. What sets it apart is its OpenAPI integration—every database you create automatically comes with a comprehensive OpenAPI 3.1 specification.

The platform handles:

  • Fully managed PostgreSQL databases
  • Auto-generated REST APIs with complete CRUD operations
  • OpenAPI 3.1 documentation generated on-the-fly
  • Built-in authentication and API key management

When building stackon.cloud, my goal was to eliminate repetitive backend work. You define your data model and immediately have a production-ready API without writing a single line of code. No more boilerplate controllers, no more repetitive endpoint creation.

Enter n8n.io and n8n-openapi-node

On the workflow automation side, n8n.io has become a go-to tool for connecting systems and orchestrating processes. It's an open-source automation platform similar to Zapier or Make, but with more flexibility and self-hosting options.

The missing piece was a seamless way to connect these two powerful tools—until I discovered n8n-openapi-node, a brilliant utility that transforms any OpenAPI specification into a fully functional n8n node.

The Integration Process

Getting stackon.cloud and n8n working together is surprisingly straightforward. Here's my step-by-step process that I've refined across multiple implementations:

Step 1: Set Up Your stackon.cloud Backend

First, create your project and database in stackon.cloud:

1. Sign up for a stackon.cloud account (we offer a generous free tier)
2. Create a new project (e.g., "Customer Database")
3. Set up your database with tables for your data model
4. Generate an API key for external access

Step 2: Export Your OpenAPI Specification

Once your database is set up:

1. Navigate to your database in the stackon.cloud dashboard
2. Click "View OpenAPI" to see the auto-generated documentation
3. Click "Download JSON" to save the OpenAPI specification file

This JSON file contains the complete definition of your API, including all endpoints, parameters, and data structures.

Step 3: Create Your Custom n8n Node

Here's where the magic happens with n8n-openapi-node:

1. Set up a new n8n community node project:

npm init n8n-nodes-my-stackon-integration
cd n8n-nodes-my-stackon-integration

2. Install the n8n-openapi-node package:

npm install @devlikeapro/n8n-openapi-node

3. Copy your OpenAPI specification to the project:

mkdir -p src/StackOnCloud
cp path/to/openapi.json src/StackOnCloud/

4. Create your node using the OpenAPI specification:

// src/StackOnCloud/StackOnCloud.node.ts
import { INodeType, INodeTypeDescription, NodeConnectionType } from 'n8n-workflow';
import { N8NPropertiesBuilder } from '@devlikeapro/n8n-openapi-node';
import * as doc from './openapi.json';

export class StackOnCloud implements INodeType {
  description: INodeTypeDescription = {
    displayName: 'Stack on Cloud',
    name: 'stackOnCloud',
    group: ['transform'],
    version: 1,
    subtitle: '={{$parameter["operation"] + ": " + $parameter["resource"]}}',
    description: 'Interact with your Stack on Cloud database',
    defaults: {
      name: 'Stack on Cloud',
    },
    inputs: [NodeConnectionType.Main],
    outputs: [NodeConnectionType.Main],
    credentials: [
      {
        name: 'stackOnCloudApi',
        required: true,
      },
    ],
    requestDefaults: {
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/json',
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      },
      baseURL: '={{$credentials.baseUrl}}',
      auth: {
        type: 'header',
        properties: {
          header: 'X-API-Key',
          value: '={{$credentials.apiKey}}',
        },
      },
    },
    properties: new N8NPropertiesBuilder(doc).build(),
  };
}

5. Create the credentials file:

// src/StackOnCloud/StackOnCloudApi.credentials.ts
import { ICredentialType, INodeProperties } from 'n8n-workflow';

export class StackOnCloudApi implements ICredentialType {
  name = 'stackOnCloudApi';
  displayName = 'Stack on Cloud API';
  documentationUrl = 'https://stackon.cloud/documentation';
  properties: INodeProperties[] = [
    {
      displayName: 'Base URL',
      name: 'baseUrl',
      type: 'string',
      default: 'https://api.stackon.cloud/v1',
    },
    {
      displayName: 'API Key',
      name: 'apiKey',
      type: 'string',
      typeOptions: {
        password: true,
      },
      default: '',
    },
  ];
}

6. Build and install your custom node:

npm run build
npm link

Step 4: Use Your Custom Node in n8n

Now, within your n8n instance:

1. Install your custom node:

cd ~/.n8n
npm link n8n-nodes-my-stackon-integration

2. Restart n8n and you'll see your Stack on Cloud node in the nodes list
3. Configure the credentials with your API key from stackon.cloud
4. Start creating workflows that interact with your stackon.cloud database

Real-World Applications

Since developing this integration, I've seen users implement some impressive applications. Here are some real-world use cases that showcase the power of connecting stackon.cloud with n8n:

1. Customer Data Management: Store customer information in stackon.cloud and trigger personalized email campaigns through n8n when certain conditions are met.

2. Inventory Tracking: Maintain product inventory in stackon.cloud while using n8n to alert teams when stock levels fall below thresholds.

3. Reporting Automation: Query data from stackon.cloud on a schedule, generate reports, and distribute them to stakeholders automatically.

4. Multi-platform Integration: Use stackon.cloud as the central data store while n8n connects it to Slack, email, Google Sheets, and other platforms.

Why This Approach Works

This integration combines the strengths of both platforms:

  • Data Persistence: stackon.cloud provides solid, managed PostgreSQL databases with security and scalability built in.
  • API Simplicity: Auto-generated endpoints eliminate the need to write and maintain API code.
  • Workflow Flexibility: n8n offers powerful automation with conditional logic, scheduling, and hundreds of integrations.
  • Reduced Maintenance: Both systems handle their own updates and scaling, minimizing DevOps overhead.

When testing this integration with early stackon.cloud users, they reported cutting development time by more than 60% for certain projects.

Conclusion

When building stackon.cloud, I always envisioned it as part of a larger ecosystem. The combination of stackon.cloud's managed PostgreSQL databases and auto-generated APIs with n8n's workflow automation through the n8n-openapi-node bridge represents exactly the kind of integration I hoped to enable.

For developers looking to minimize boilerplate code and focus on solving business problems, this integration provides a powerful, flexible foundation. I'm particularly excited about how you can define your data model in stackon.cloud and immediately have it available as a custom node in n8n, opening up endless possibilities for automation and integration.

As systems continue to become more interconnected, approaches like this that leverage OpenAPI specifications as a universal language between platforms will become increasingly valuable. This is why I made sure stackon.cloud generates complete OpenAPI 3.1 specifications for every database.

Give this integration a try on your next project—I think you'll be impressed by how much time you save and how quickly you can deliver working solutions.

Want to learn more about stackon.cloud? Check out our launch announcement or read about why we built the platform.

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