Workflow-Level Error Workflows

n8n has no global or instance-wide error workflow setting. Error workflows are assigned per target workflow through workflow settings:

export default workflow('target-workflow-id', 'Target Workflow')
  .settings({ errorWorkflow: 'published-error-workflow-id' })
  .add(triggerNode);

settings.errorWorkflow must be the real workflow ID of a separate published workflow whose published version contains an active Error Trigger node. Do not use a workflow name, placeholder, activeVersionId, local SDK id, or invented global identifier.

Use the no-global-setting rule as implementation guidance. Mention it to the user only when they explicitly ask about, request, or reference global or instance-wide error workflow behavior.

When creating an error workflow to attach to another workflow:

1. Wait until the target workflow is published, then ask whether the user wants an error workflow for it.
2. Build the error workflow as a separate workflow. It starts with an Error Trigger and sends the notification the user requested.
3. Publish the error workflow with workflows(action="publish") before setting it on the target workflow: settings.errorWorkflow only accepts a published workflow, and publishing goes through HITL approval, so the user confirms it. This applies to the error workflow only; never publish the target workflow unless the user explicitly asks.
4. Patch the original target workflow's source and set .settings({ errorWorkflow: '<published-error-workflow-id>' }), then call build-workflow for the original workflow. This assigns the error workflow only to that target workflow.