How to Automate Shorts with n8n

With n8n, SendShort can make and schedule shorts each time you upload a new YouTube video. You install the SendShort community node, add your API key and connect a few nodes. n8n then imports each new video, clips it into shorts and schedules them to TikTok and YouTube.

This guide shows the install, the credential, a full workflow and every SendShort Trigger event.

Step 1: Create a SendShort API Key

1. In SendShort, open Settings → Preferences → API keys.
2. Create a new key.
3. Choose when the key expires: 30 days, 90 days, 1 year or never.
4. Copy the key. It starts with ss_sk_.

You can have up to 10 active keys. Keep the key secret, like a password.

Step 2: Install the SendShort Node in n8n

1. In n8n, open Settings → Community Nodes.
2. Click Install.
3. Enter the package name: n8n-nodes-sendshort
4. Confirm the install.

The node is open source (MIT license). It is on npm.

Step 3: Add Your SendShort Credential

1. Add a SendShort node to a workflow.
2. Create a new credential.
3. Paste your ss_sk_ API key and save.

To test it, run the Account → Get Status action. It returns your plan, quotas and rate limits.

Step 4: Build the Workflow: New YouTube Video → Import → Clip → Schedule

Imports and clip jobs take a few minutes. So split the work into three small workflows. Each one starts when the step before it is done.

Workflow A: Import Each New YouTube Video

1. Add an RSS Feed Trigger node. Use your channel’s YouTube feed: https://www.youtube.com/feeds/videos.xml?channel_id=YOUR_CHANNEL_ID
2. Add a SendShort node: Video → Import.
3. Set the video link to the link of the new feed item ({{ $json.link }}).
4. Activate the workflow.

The import also takes Twitch, Kick and direct video links. Your SendShort library holds up to 8 long videos at a time. Use Video → List to see them.

Workflow B: Clip the Video into Shorts

1. Add a SendShort Trigger node and choose the Import Completed event.
2. Add a SendShort node: Clip → Create.
3. Use the video from the trigger event. Set the number of shorts and the caption theme.
4. Activate the workflow.

Workflow C: Schedule Each Short

1. Add a SendShort Trigger node and choose the Short Ready event.
2. Add a SendShort node: Social Account → List. Pick your TikTok or YouTube account.
3. Add a SendShort node: Post → Schedule Short. Use the short from the trigger, the account and a time.
4. Activate the workflow.

SendShort schedules to TikTok and YouTube only. For other apps, use Short → Get to get the MP4 download link, then send the file to another tool.

Catch Errors

Make one more workflow with a SendShort Trigger for Import Failed, Clip Failed, Short Failed and Post Failed. Send yourself an email or a chat message from it.

SendShort Trigger Events

The SendShort Trigger receives SendShort webhooks and checks their signature. SendShort signs each webhook with Standard Webhooks headers. If a delivery fails, SendShort tries again up to 7 times over about 42 hours.

A self-hosted n8n needs a public HTTPS address, so that SendShort can reach the trigger.

All SendShort Node Actions

Post → Schedule Slideshow posts a slideshow that you made in SendShort to TikTok as a photo post. The node cannot make new slideshows or faceless videos. For those, use the app or an Automated Series.

The node also works as a tool for the n8n AI Agent. The agent can then call the same actions from a chat.

For music videos from n8n, read how to make an AI music video.

Limits

• 120 API requests a minute per key.
• 3 import starts and 5 clip starts a minute.
• Over the limit, SendShort answers 429 with a Retry-After header.
• Your plan’s monthly shorts quota applies. Past the quota, an imported short costs 12 Credits.

More on the n8n integration page, the integrations hub and the SendShort API page.

Get started with SendShort

FAQ: SendShort and n8n

How do I install the SendShort node in n8n?

In n8n, open Settings, then Community Nodes, and install n8n-nodes-sendshort. Then add a SendShort credential with your ss_sk_ API key.

Which SendShort plan do I need for n8n?

You need the Professional or Business plan, because the node uses the SendShort API. It is included from Professional ($29/month).

Does the SendShort Trigger work on self-hosted n8n?

Yes, if your n8n has a public HTTPS address. SendShort sends webhooks to that address.

Can n8n post my shorts to Instagram?

The SendShort node schedules to TikTok and YouTube only. For other apps, get the MP4 link with Short, Get and send the file with another n8n node.

Can I use SendShort with the n8n AI Agent?

Yes. The SendShort node works as a tool for the n8n AI Agent, so the agent can import, clip and schedule from a chat.

Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort