Advanced

This guide covers advanced Directus features in n8n using raw CRUD operations, which give you full access to Directus's native filter syntax, query parameters, and complex query capabilities.

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Raw CRUD Operations

The Directus node provides raw versions of all CRUD operations that allow you to use Directus's native JSON syntax for filters, query parameters, and data manipulation. These operations give you full control over the API request.

Available Raw Operations

Quick reference of all available raw operations organized by resource type:

::callout{icon="heroicons-outline:light-bulb"} When to Use Raw Operations Use raw operations when you need complex filters with logical operators (_and, _or), relational field filtering, advanced query parameters (aggregation, search, etc.), or full control over the JSON payload structure. ::

Using Raw Operations

Raw operations work similarly to their standard counterparts, but instead of using the node's form fields, you provide all data in the JSON Data field as a JSON object.

Setting Up a Raw Operation

1. Add a Directus node to your workflow
2. Set Resource to Item, User, or File
3. Select a Raw JSON operation (e.g., "Get Many (Raw JSON)", "Create (Raw JSON)")
4. For Items operations, select the Collection
5. Enter your JSON data in the JSON Data field
6. For Get and Update operations, provide the Item ID if needed

::callout{icon="material-symbols:warning-rounded" color="warning"} Token Permissions Ensure your Directus API token has the correct permissions for the resource and operations you're using. Raw operations require the same permissions as their standard counterparts. ::

Get Many (Raw JSON)

Retrieve items with advanced filtering and query parameters:

{
  "filter": {
    "status": {"_eq": "published"},
    "views": {"_gt": 1000}
  },
  "fields": "title,author.name,views",
  "sort": "-date_created",
  "limit": 10
}

Get (Raw JSON)

Retrieve a single item with custom query parameters:

{
  "fields": "title,content,author.name,author.email,comments.text"
}

Create (Raw JSON)

Create items with full control over the JSON structure:

{
  "title": "My New Post",
  "content": "Post content here",
  "status": "published",
  "author": "author-uuid-here",
  "categories": ["category-uuid-1", "category-uuid-2"]
}

Update (Raw JSON)

Update items with complex data structures:

{
  "title": "Updated Title",
  "status": "archived",
  "metadata": {
    "tags": ["updated", "archived"],
    "notes": "Item has been archived"
  }
}

Using Filters with Raw Operations

Raw operations allow you to use Directus's complete filter syntax. Specify filters in the filter parameter of your JSON Data field.

::callout{icon="material-symbols:info-outline"} Filter Documentation For complete filter syntax, operators, and examples, see the Directus Filter Rules documentation. ::

Example: Complex filter with logical operators

{
  "filter": {
    "_and": [
      {"status": {"_eq": "published"}},
      {
        "_or": [
          {"category": {"_eq": "tutorial"}},
          {"category": {"_eq": "guide"}}
        ]
      },
      {"views": {"_gt": 100}}
    ]
  }
}

Example: Relational filtering

{
  "filter": {
    "author": {
      "name": {"_eq": "John Doe"}
    },
    "comments": {
      "_some": {
        "status": {"_eq": "approved"}
      }
    }
  }
}

Query Parameters

Raw operations support all Directus query parameters. Include them in your JSON Data alongside filters:

Common query parameters:

{
  "fields": "title,author.name,views",
  "sort": "-date_created",
  "limit": 10,
  "offset": 0
}

Search:

{
  "search": "directus tutorial"
}

Aggregation:

{
  "aggregate": {
    "count": "id",
    "sum": "views",
    "avg": "rating"
  },
  "groupBy": "category"
}

::callout{icon="material-symbols:info-outline"} Query Parameters Documentation For complete query parameter documentation, see the Directus Query Parameters documentation. ::

Working with Relations

When using Create (Raw JSON) or Update (Raw JSON), you can include related data directly in your JSON:

{
  "title": "My Post",
  "author": "author-uuid-here",
  "categories": ["category-uuid-1", "category-uuid-2"],
  "comments": [
    {"text": "Great post!", "user": "user-uuid-here"}
  ]
}

Using Expressions in Raw Operations

You can use n8n expressions in your raw JSON data for dynamic queries:

{
  "filter": {
    "status": {"_eq": "{{ $json.status }}"},
    "views": {"_gt": {{ $json.min_views }}}
  },
  "fields": "{{ $json.requested_fields }}",
  "sort": "-{{ $json.sort_field }}",
  "limit": {{ $json.limit }}
}

Performance Tips

• Select only needed fields: Use the fields parameter to reduce data transfer
• Use pagination: Use limit and offset/page for large datasets, process in batches with n8n's Split In Batches node
• Filter in Directus: Always use the filter parameter rather than processing all data in n8n

Example:

{
  "fields": "id,title,status",
  "filter": {
    "status": {"_eq": "published"},
    "date_created": {"_gte": "$NOW(-30 days)"}
  },
  "limit": 100
}

Next Steps

• ← Back to Overview Return to the integration overview
• Learn about Directus Actions → Basic operations guide
• Learn about Directus Triggers → Automation workflows