n8n - 💡(How to fix) Fix Feature: Per-node execution timestamp overlay on canvas during workflow run

Summary

Show per-node execution timestamps (start time, duration, end time) directly on the workflow canvas during and after a workflow run.

Problem to solve

When debugging a workflow with many nodes, identifying which node took longest or why a workflow ran slowly requires drilling into execution logs or export data. There is no at-a-glance way to see execution timing directly on the canvas.

Proposed solution

During workflow execution, display small timing badges on each node card:

• Show duration (e.g. "1.2s") after node completes
• Color-code by speed (green/yellow/red threshold)
• After full run, show accumulated timing overlay accessible via hover

This would help users identify bottlenecks without leaving the canvas or exporting logs.

Alternatives considered

• Exporting execution data to analyze in external tools - requires extra steps
• Right-click node > View execution data - requires navigation
• Existing execution log view - list-based, not spatial

Impact

• Affected: Workflow builders debugging performance or explaining timing to stakeholders
• Severity: Annoying / blocks efficient debugging
• Frequency: Intermittent (when performance issues arise)
• Consequence: +minutes per debugging session without this feature

Evidence/examples

Related issues:

• #28922 (Version History) - debugging workflow behavior
• #30358 (Code node hangs with AI Agent) - timing-related debugging
• #5298 (Redo functionality) - UX improvements for workflow editing

This is a low-effort, high-clarity improvement for workflow observability.