🚀 Getting Started With n8n — Automation & AI Platform for Beginners

A comprehensive guide for those looking to explore the world of workflow automation and AI integration with n8n

🧩 What is n8n?

n8n is a powerful open-source workflow automation platform. It allows you to connect applications, services, and APIs to automate tasks through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, while also supporting JavaScript code snippets for handling more complex logic.

📋 Real-world applications of n8n:

Automatically process and categorize emails
Sync data from CRM to Google Sheets
Integrate ChatGPT to automatically reply or summarize content
Send automatic notifications to Slack or Microsoft Teams
Collect and process data from multiple sources

✅ n8n's Advantages Over Other Platforms

Why choose n8n?

🆓 Free self-hosting: You can deploy on your own server completely free, significantly reducing long-term costs compared to similar platforms like Zapier or Make.
💻 JavaScript support: Deep integration with JavaScript, allowing you to handle complex logic and connect to any API flexibly.
🔒 Data control: When self-hosting, you have complete control over your sensitive data, especially suitable for businesses concerned about security.
🌍 Strong community: Hundreds of workflow templates, integrations, and plugins developed and shared by the community for free.

🚀 Getting Started With n8n — Deployment Options

1. Quick trial on n8n Cloud

The fastest way to get started is to register an account at app.n8n.io

n8n Cloud offers a free trial plan with certain limitations, perfect for exploring the interface and creating quick demos without worrying about installation or configuration.

2. Using n8n Cloud VPS (Paid plan)

n8n Cloud offers paid plans starting from around $20/month depending on configuration and workflow volume.

Advantages: Easy management, built-in logging and automatic backup systems, no need to worry about server maintenance.

3. Self-host on VPS (Recommended for learners)

This is the most cost-effective option and gives you complete control. You can rent VPS from providers like DigitalOcean, Vultr, Linode for as low as $5-10/month.

This method is particularly suitable for learning purposes and small businesses that need to control their data.

💰 Cost summary:

Cloud TrialFree (limited)

n8n Cloud (Paid)From ~$20/month

Self-host VPS$5-15/month + admin costs

📚 Basic Concepts in n8n

🔄 Workflow

The complete automated work process, consisting of multiple nodes connected together in a logical sequence.

⚙️ Node

A specific action step in the workflow (e.g., send email, call API, process data, etc.).

🎯 Trigger

The starting point of a workflow, can be a webhook, schedule (cron), new email, or event from an application.

🔗 Expression

Special syntax to access and process data between nodes (example: {{$json["body"]}}).

🛠️ Creating a Basic n8n Workflow

Real-world example: Automatically receive email → Analyze with ChatGPT → Send automated response

Step 1: Create a new workflow

In the n8n interface, click the "New Workflow" button to begin.

Step 2: Add Trigger (Starting point)

Add an Email Trigger node (or IMAP/SMTP webhook) and configure your email account to receive new emails.

Step 3: Integrate AI (ChatGPT)

Add an HTTP Request node or integrated OpenAI node. You need to set the API key in the Credentials section for authentication.

Step 4: Write the AI prompt

In the OpenAI node, set up a prompt following this template:

"Summarize this email and write a friendly reply."

Step 5: Send reply email

Add a Send Email node to send the reply content back to the sender. Use expressions to map data from the OpenAI node.

Step 6: Activate the workflow

Save the workflow and click the Activate button to enable it. Test by sending a test email to see the results.

💡 Tips for beginners:

Start with simple workflows before trying complex use cases
Use the "Execute Node" function to test each step individually
Explore n8n's built-in workflow template library
Join the n8n community on Discord or Forum for support

🎯 Conclusion

n8n is an ideal tool for learning and implementing AI-powered automation — especially if you want to optimize costs, control data, and customize deeply according to your specific needs. Start with small workflows, get familiar with using nodes and expressions, then gradually scale up once you've mastered the basic concepts.