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Exclusivity Pattern

Pattern Overview​

The Exclusivity Pattern uses 8kit's Locks functionality to coordinate n8n workflow executions, preventing race conditions and ensuring only one n8n workflow execution can access a resource at a time.

Exclusivity Pattern n8n Workflow

How It Works​

Resource Access → Acquire Lock → Success? → Yes → Perform Operations → Release Lock
                                    ↓
                                   No → Wait/Retry → Handle Failure

Key Benefits​

  • Prevents race conditions - Only one workflow can access resources at a time
  • Ensures data integrity - Critical operations are protected from interference
  • Coordinates workflows - Multiple workflows can safely share resources
  • Handles failures gracefully - Timeout and retry mechanisms built-in

Video Demonstration​

What is the Exclusivity Pattern?​

The Exclusivity Pattern uses 8kit's Locks to implement distributed locking mechanisms for n8n workflows. It ensures that:

  • Only one n8n workflow execution can access a shared resource at a time
  • Race conditions are prevented between n8n workflow executions
  • Critical sections are protected in n8n workflows
  • Resource conflicts are avoided in n8n automation

Key Concepts​

  • Lock: A mechanism to control access to shared resources in n8n workflows
  • Acquire Lock: Request exclusive access to a resource for n8n workflow execution
  • Release Lock: Free the resource for other n8n workflow executions
  • Lock Timeout: Automatic release after a specified time
  • Deadlock Prevention: Avoid infinite waiting scenarios in n8n workflows

When to Use the Exclusivity Pattern​

Use the Exclusivity Pattern when you need to:

  • Prevent race conditions between n8n workflow executions
  • Coordinate file processing across multiple n8n workflows
  • Limit API rate across multiple n8n workflow executions
  • Ensure atomic operations on shared resources in n8n workflows
  • Handle resource conflicts gracefully in n8n automation

Common Use Cases​

  • File Processing: Ensure only one n8n workflow execution processes a file
  • API Rate Limiting: Coordinate API calls across multiple n8n workflow executions
  • Database Operations: Prevent concurrent modifications in n8n workflows
  • Resource Allocation: Manage limited resources in n8n automation
  • Batch Processing: Coordinate large-scale operations in n8n workflows

Implementation Process​

The Exclusivity Pattern ensures safe access to shared resources through a systematic locking approach:

Step 1: Acquire a Lock​

Before accessing a shared resource, attempt to acquire exclusive access:

  • Identify the resource - Determine what needs to be protected (file, database record, API endpoint)
  • Request exclusive access - Try to acquire a lock for the specific resource
  • Set appropriate timeout - Define how long to wait for the lock
  • Handle acquisition result - Proceed if successful, handle failure if not

Step 2: Perform Critical Operations​

Once you have exclusive access to the resource:

  • Execute protected operations - Perform the critical work that needs coordination
  • Maintain lock ownership - Keep the lock active during the entire operation
  • Handle errors gracefully - Ensure locks are released even if operations fail
  • Validate results - Confirm the operations completed successfully

Step 3: Release the Lock​

After completing the critical operations:

  • Release exclusive access - Free the lock for other processes
  • Clean up resources - Ensure all temporary states are cleared
  • Log the completion - Record successful lock usage for monitoring
  • Handle cleanup errors - Plan for cases where lock release fails

Key Principles​

  • Always acquire first - Never access shared resources without coordination
  • Release promptly - Free locks as soon as operations complete
  • Handle failures - Plan for lock acquisition failures and timeouts
  • Use appropriate timeouts - Set reasonable wait times for lock acquisition
  • Monitor lock usage - Track lock performance and identify bottlenecks
  1. Options include:
    • Wait and retry
    • Skip processing
    • Queue for later processing

Screenshot: Complete Exclusivity Pattern - Full workflow with all components connected

Next Steps​

Now that you understand the Exclusivity Pattern:

  1. Try the Temporal Pattern for incremental polling
  2. Combine patterns for complex scenarios
  3. Explore advanced techniques for your specific use case

Ready to implement? Start with a simple file processing scenario and gradually add complexity as you become more comfortable with the pattern.