pipedream-workflows

name	pipedream-workflows
description	Pipedream serverless workflows — triggers, code steps, pre-built actions, data stores, HTTP. Use when working with pipedream workflows.
domain	automation
tags	["automation","pipedream","productivity","workflow","workflows"]

Overview

Pipedream is a serverless integration and compute platform. It lets you build event-driven workflows with Node.js code steps, 1000+ pre-built app actions, and HTTP triggers — all running on serverless infrastructure.

Capabilities

• Build workflows with HTTP, cron, or app event triggers
• Write Node.js code steps with full npm access
• Use 1000+ pre-built app actions
• Store data in built-in Data Stores
• Make HTTP requests to any API
• Deploy as REST API endpoints
• Use connected accounts for OAuth apps

When to Use

Trigger phrases:

• "pipedream workflows"

• "Building event-driven automation with custom code"

• "Needing serverless compute for integration logic"

• "Wanting npm package access in automation workflows"

• Building event-driven automation with custom code

• Needing serverless compute for integration logic

• Wanting npm package access in automation workflows

• Building webhook receivers and API endpoints

• Replacing custom scripts with managed workflows

When NOT to Use

• Task is simple enough for Zapier (use Zapier for no-code)
• You need complex workflow orchestration (use n8n)
• Task is about data storage, not workflow automation
• You don't have API access to the services being integrated
• Task requires real-time processing (use streaming tools)
• You need to build a custom application (use development tools)

Pseudo Code

Implementation patterns for common use cases with this skill.

Workflow Structure

Trigger → Code Step → HTTP Request → IF → Pre-built Action → Code Step

Trigger Types

Type	Config
HTTP	$.interface.http — webhook endpoint
Schedule	$.interface.timer — cron or interval
App Event	New email, GitHub issue, etc.

Code Step (Node.js)

// Access previous step data
const prevData = $.steps.trigger.event;

// Use npm packages
const axios = require('axios');
const _ = require('lodash');

// Make HTTP request
const response = await axios.get('https://api.example.com/data', {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${$.auth.api_key}` },
});

// Process data
const filtered = _.filter(response.data, item => item.active);

// Return data to next step
return {
  count: filtered.length,
  items: filtered,
};

HTTP Request Step

// Built-in HTTP request
const response = await $.http.request({
  method: 'POST',
  url: 'https://api.example.com/webhook',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  },
  data: {
    event: $.steps.trigger.event.type,
    payload: $.steps.process.items,
  },
});

return response.data;

Data Store

// Get value
const count = await $.service.data_store.get('counter') || 0;

// Set value
await $.service.data_store.set('counter', count + 1);

// Delete
await $.service.data_store.delete('counter');

// List keys
const keys = await $.service.data_store.keys();

Connected Accounts

// Access connected account
const slack = $.app.slack;
const github = $.app.github;

// Use in API calls
const response = await axios.post('https://slack.com/api/chat.postMessage', {
  channel: '#alerts',
  text: `New event: ${$.steps.trigger.event.type}`,
}, {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${slack.$auth.oauth_access_token}` },
});

Deploy as API

// HTTP trigger creates an endpoint like:
// https://endpoint.p.punique.com/abc123

// Handle different methods
if ($.trigger.event.http.method === 'POST') {
  return { status: 'received', data: $.trigger.event.body };
}

if ($.trigger.event.http.method === 'GET') {
  return { status: 'ok', timestamp: Date.now() };
}

Error Handling in Steps

try {
  const result = await riskyOperation();
  return { success: true, data: result };
} catch (error) {
  // Return error to flow (doesn't stop workflow)
  return {
    success: false,
    error: error.message,
    step: 'process_data',
  };
}

Common Patterns

Pattern	When to Use
HTTP Trigger → Process → Respond	API endpoint
Schedule → Fetch → Transform → Store	ETL
App Event → Code → Notify	Event-driven automation
Webhook → Validate → Route	Multi-tenant webhooks
Data Store get/set	Stateful workflows
Code Step + npm	Complex logic with libraries

Error Handling

Error	Cause	Fix
Step timeout	Long-running code	Optimize or use $.flow.delay()
npm package not found	Not in allowed list	Use built-in $.http instead
Data Store limit exceeded	Too many keys	Clean up old entries
Auth error	Expired token	Reconnect account

Red Flags

• Not testing workflows before deployment
• Ignoring error handling in workflows
• Missing logging and monitoring
• Not documenting workflow logic
• Ignoring rate limits and quotas

Verification

• Workflows are tested end-to-end
• Error handling is in place
• Logging and monitoring are configured
• Workflow logic is documented
• Rate limits are respected

Process

1. Analyze the task requirements
2. Apply domain expertise
3. Verify output quality

Anti-Rationalization

Rationalization	Reality
"Manual is faster for one-off tasks"	One-off tasks become recurring. Automate early, save time later.
"I will add error handling later"	You never do. Handle errors from day one.
"Automation is overkill"	If you do it twice, automate it. If you do it daily, it is critical infrastructure.