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What is n8n ?

By Sanaullah Khan
Discover how n8n simplifies workflow automation with a powerful low-code interface. Learn its key concepts like workflows, triggers, and nodes and see how it can connect all your favorite tools to save time and boost productivity.

Getting Started with n8n: The Future of Workflow Automation

Hey there! Welcome to this brand-new series on n8n, the open-source workflow automation tool that’s transforming how creators, developers, and businesses connect their apps and automate repetitive tasks.

If you’ve ever found yourself jumping between tools, manually copying data, or wishing there was an easier way to make your apps “talk” to each other, you’re in the right place. This series will help you master automation with n8n, one workflow at a time.

Why You Should Care About Automation

Imagine all your favorite tools like Gmail, Notion, Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, and more, working together in perfect sync. No more copy-pasting. No more manual follow-ups. Just smart, automated workflows running in the background while you focus on the big stuff.

That’s exactly what n8n does. It’s your personal automation engine — open source, powerful, and incredibly flexible.

What Exactly Is n8n?

n8n (short for “nodemation”) is an open-source, low-code automation platform that lets you build complex workflows visually without writing endless lines of code.

Think of it as your digital assistant:

  • It connects your apps and APIs,
  • Moves data between them,
  • And performs actions automatically based on triggers you define.

From automating social media posting to syncing data between CRMs and databases, n8n gives you the tools to make automation work your way.

A Quick Look at n8n’s Origin Story

n8n was created by Jan Oberhauser in Berlin after being frustrated with closed, expensive automation platforms that limited customization.

He envisioned a platform that’s:

  • Open source – giving users total control
  • Community-driven – with shared nodes and workflows
  • Flexible – adaptable for both simple and enterprise-grade use cases

Today, n8n has hundreds of built-in integrations and an active global community that’s constantly building new “nodes” the building blocks of every automation.

The Power of Low-Code Automation

At its core, n8n is built around a visual editor. You design workflows by dragging and dropping nodes onto a canvas, each representing an app, service, or action.

Want to connect your CRM to Google Sheets and send a Slack alert when a deal closes? Just chain a few nodes together. No complex setup, no coding nightmares.

Here’s why this approach stands out:
No-code simplicity: Build powerful automations visually
Fast prototyping: Experiment, test, and tweak with ease
Full transparency: See exactly how your data flows
Modular design: Update one node without breaking the whole flow

Core Concepts in n8n

Let’s break down the key pieces that make everything click:

1. Workflows

A workflow is your automation blueprint — a series of connected steps that handle specific tasks.
Each workflow starts with a trigger and flows through multiple nodes, passing data along the way.

2. Triggers

Triggers start your automation. They can fire when:

  • A new email arrives
  • A webhook is called
  • A specific time is reached (using Cron)

In short, triggers are what tell n8n: “Hey, it’s time to get to work!”

3. Nodes

Nodes are the actions your workflow performs.
There are two main types:

  • Trigger Nodes – Start the workflow
  • Action Nodes – Do the work (e.g., send an email, make an API call, write to a database)

With over 300 built-in nodes, plus a thriving community creating new ones, you can connect almost any app you can think of.

Why n8n is a Game-Changer

Before n8n, automation platforms were often either too limited or too expensive. n8n changes that by offering:

  • Open-source freedom – You can self-host it, customize it, and extend it however you want.
  • Low-code flexibility – Build anything from simple reminders to advanced multi-step business workflows.
  • Scalability – Works great for individuals, startups, and large organizations alike.
  • Community-first growth – New nodes and templates are added constantly by users around the world.

In short: n8n gives you Zapier-level simplicity with developer-level power without locking you in.

What’s Next

In this part, we’ve covered what n8n is, how it started, and what makes it so powerful.

In the future posts, we’ll dive into real world automation examples, exploring how to use n8n for automating tasks.