Issues & Blockers

Resolved: n8n Webhook Caching Issue

Original Problem

Added a "Trigger Drip Campaign" HTTP Request node to the Confirmation workflow, but webhook used cached old workflow version.

Resolution (January 19, 2026)

The webhook path change approach worked:

1. Changed webhook path from listmonk/confirm to listmonk/confirm-temp
2. Changed it back to listmonk/confirm
3. Deactivated and reactivated the workflow

Key insight: n8n API PUT requests fail with "must NOT have additional properties" unless you only include {name, nodes, connections, settings}.

Current Status

Full flow now works: Confirmation → Mark Verified → Create Contest Entry → Trigger Drip Campaign

Resolved: January 19, 2026

Issue #15: Listmonk Confirmation Not Triggering n8n

Original Problem

Listmonk has no built-in webhook for subscriber confirmations - opt-in flow was entirely internal.

Solution Implemented

Added custom JavaScript to Listmonk's appearance.public.custom_js that:

• Detects when confirmation success page loads
• Extracts subscriber UUID from URL
• POSTs to n8n webhook to trigger confirmation workflow

Result

Confirmation webhook now fires correctly. Subscriber verification and contest entry creation work. Only remaining issue is the auto-drip trigger (see blocker above).

Status

Resolved: January 18, 2026

Issue #1: Domain Strategy - Multiple Domains vs Single Domain

Problem

Initial architecture used multiple subdomains under mmc.fit domain:

• list.mmc.fit - Email list management
• benny.mmc.fit - Landing page
• mmlnk.us - Short URLs

This created confusion and complexity in DNS management, SSL certificates, and branding.

Impact

• Confusing user experience with multiple domains
• Complex SSL certificate management
• Harder to maintain brand consistency
• Additional DNS configuration required

Solution

Consolidated to two-domain strategy:

• mmlnk.us - Short URL domain (clean, dedicated, public-facing)
• mad-monkey-creations.com - Main brand domain with subpaths:
  • /benny - Landing page
  • hooks. subdomain - n8n webhooks (internal)
  • mail. subdomain - Email server

Timeline

Status

Resolution Date: December 17, 2024

Outcome: Simplified architecture improves user experience and reduces operational complexity

Issue #2: Email Provider Selection - Brevo vs ForwardMail.net

Problem

Initial plan was to use Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) as SMTP relay:

• Free tier: 300 emails/day
• Well-documented API
• Direct integration with Listmonk

However, during implementation discovered limitations and switched to ForwardMail.net

Comparison

Solution

Switched to ForwardMail.net for improved deliverability and simpler configuration

Status

Resolution Date: December 18, 2024

Outcome: ForwardMail.net selected as primary SMTP provider

Issue #3: Landing Page Hosting - Separate Container vs Subpath

Problem

Uncertainty about whether to host landing page as:

• Separate Docker container on 10.0.0.154
• Subpath on existing website (/benny)

Decision Factors

Solution

Use mad-monkey-creations.com/benny subpath approach for simplicity

Can migrate to separate container later if traffic demands it

Status

Resolution Date: December 19, 2024

Outcome: Landing page will be hosted at /benny subpath

Issue #4: QR Code Format - SVG vs PNG

Problem

Decision needed on QR code image format for printing on PVC cards

Analysis

Solution

Generate both formats:

• SVG - Primary format for print production (scalable to any size)
• PNG - Backup format at 300 DPI for compatibility

Status

Resolution Date: December 20, 2024

Outcome: Dual-format approach ensures maximum flexibility

Issue #5: Card Design - Move Code Placement

Problem

Initial design placed move code on front of traveler cards, but this caused confusion about whether it's required for nest cards

Impact

• Visual clutter on nest cards if included
• User confusion about when to use move code
• Potential for accidental move code usage on nest cards

Solution

Final Design:

• Nest Cards (Back):
  • QR code
  • Short URL
  • Simple instructions: "Scan. Tell us where. Confirm email. Monthly winner!"
• Traveler Cards (Back):
  • QR code
  • Short URL
  • Instructions + move code section
  • Move code clearly labeled: "MOVE CODE: XXXX-XXXX"

Status

Resolution Date: December 21, 2024

Outcome: Separate card designs for nest vs traveler cards improve clarity

Issue #6: Listmonk API Credentials Configuration

Problem

Listmonk API access was not configured for n8n integration. Initial attempts to use admin credentials failed.

Discovery

Listmonk v6 uses a different authentication model for API access:

• API users have type='api' in the users table
• API tokens are stored as plaintext (not bcrypt hashed)
• API authentication format: api_user:token

Solution

Created dedicated API user for n8n integration:

INSERT INTO users (username, password_login, password, email, name, type, user_role_id, status)
VALUES ('n8n_api', false, 'madmonkey-api-token-2026', 'api@mad-monkey-creations.com', 'n8n API User', 'api', 1, 'enabled');

Updated n8n Listmonk credential from admin:password to n8n_api:madmonkey-api-token-2026

Status

Resolved: January 8, 2026

Outcome: Listmonk API access working, n8n can create subscribers

Issue #7: SSL Proxy Migration from 10.0.0.3 to 10.0.0.251

Problem

SSL Proxy needed to be migrated from old host (10.0.0.3) to new docker host (10.0.0.251)

Solution

Successfully migrated NGINX Proxy Manager:

• Restored backup (npm-backup-2026-01-08_0342.tgz) to new host
• Created docker-compose.yml with jlesage/nginx-proxy-manager image
• Preserved all 27 proxy hosts and 5 redirection hosts
• Updated all documentation references from 10.0.0.3 to 10.0.0.251

Status

Resolved: January 8, 2026

Outcome: All services accessible through new SSL proxy at 10.0.0.251

Issue #8: Shlink URLs Pointing to Wrong Path

Problem

Shlink short URLs (T01-T05) were pointing to /scan but NPM proxy configuration expected /webhook/scan

Solution

Updated all Shlink short URLs via API:

curl -X PATCH "http://10.0.0.250:8081/rest/v3/short-urls/T01" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: 71870798-7566-4fce-bff3-055a3a076710" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"longUrl": "https://hooks.mad-monkey-creations.com/webhook/scan?qr_id=T01"}'

Status

Resolved: January 8, 2026

Outcome: All short URLs now correctly redirect through n8n webhooks

Issue #13: External Access Timing Out

Problem

External access via 76.150.65.61 was timing out. Internal access through SSL proxy (10.0.0.251) works correctly.

Original Symptoms

• Internal access to 10.0.0.251:80, :81, :443 works
• Internal proxy through SSL to 10.0.0.250 services works
• External access via 76.150.65.61 times out

Resolution

Port forwarding was configured correctly. External access now works, but with intermittent webhook issues (see Blocker #2 above).

Current State (2026-01-16)

• ✓ External HTTPS access works
• ✓ All services reachable via public IP
• ⚠ Webhook responses are intermittent (separate issue)

Status

Discovered: January 8, 2026

Resolved: January 16, 2026

Note: Webhook intermittency tracked separately as Blocker #2

Issue #14: Duplicate Opt-in Emails Sent

Problem

When a user submitted the entry form, they received TWO opt-in emails:

1. Custom Template 10 email from n8n workflow - styled but opt-in URL was BROKEN
2. Default Listmonk opt-in email - worked correctly

Root Cause

n8n workflow "2. Email Capture" had a "Send Welcome Email" node that sent Template 10 via Listmonk transactional API, AND Listmonk's built-in app.send_optin_confirmation=true also sent its default opt-in email.

Solution

Removed the "Send Welcome Email" node from the n8n workflow entirely. Now only Listmonk's built-in opt-in email is sent (via app.send_optin_confirmation=true).

Status

Discovered: January 14, 2026

Resolved: January 18, 2026

Outcome: Users now receive only ONE opt-in email with working confirmation link

Issue #13: External Webhook Intermittent Response

Problem

External requests to the scan webhook via public IP intermittently returned 200 OK with empty body instead of 307 redirect.

Solution

Updated NPM proxy configuration at /config/nginx/proxy_host/25.conf with:

• proxy_redirect off
• proxy_buffering off
• proxy_http_version 1.1
• proxy_cache off
• proxy_cache_bypass 1
• proxy_no_cache 1

Note: n8n webhook registration can still become stale. Workaround: deactivate/reactivate workflows via API to re-register webhooks.

Status

Discovered: January 16, 2026

Resolved: January 18, 2026 (partially - workaround in place)

Issue #9: Email Capture Workflow UUID Error

Problem

Listmonk returning "Invalid UUID(s)" error when users clicked opt-in links in Template 10 emails.

Root Cause

Manual opt-in URL construction in workflow was using incorrect format/data.

Solution

Switched to using Listmonk transactional email (Template 10) which automatically generates correct opt-in URLs using proper template variables.

Status

Resolved: January 11, 2026

Note: This fix led to the discovery of the duplicate email issue (current blocker)

Issue #10: Drip Campaign Nodes Disconnected

Problem

Drip campaign workflow had all nodes created but no connections between them.

Solution

Connected all nodes in proper sequence: Check Day → Wait 24 Hours → Send Day 1 Story → Wait 48 Hours → Send Day 3 Reward

Status

Resolved: January 11, 2026

Issue #11: Monthly Winner Using Old Tables

Problem

SQL queries in Monthly Winner workflow were referencing deprecated entries and users tables.

Solution

Updated all SQL queries to use new subscribers and contest_entries tables.

Status

Resolved: January 11, 2026

Issue #12: Missing qrIdInput JavaScript Variable

Problem

Landing page form submission failing because qrIdInput variable was not defined in JavaScript.

Solution

Added the missing variable definition in /home/bennybeen/mad-monkey/landing-page/e/index.html.

Status

Resolved: January 14, 2026