This video is the third day of an AI Automation Bootcamp. The instructor, Jokotoye Emmanuel, covers essential topics such as importing and exporting workflows in N8, understanding execution logs for debugging, and the various types of nodes used in automation (trigger, action, logic). He also discusses the differences between cloud-based and local installations of N8, emphasizing the importance of building in public and practical application.
This video practically explains several key aspects of AI automation using the N8 platform:
Importing and Exporting Workflows: The instructor demonstrates how to import and export workflows within N8. This practical skill allows users to reuse existing automation, back up their work, share creations with others, and even sell workflows as digital products. It's shown how to do this through the three-dotted menu on the dashboard, using options like "import from file" and "download."
Execution Log for Debugging: A practical demonstration of how to use N8's execution logs is provided. The speaker walks through identifying successful (green) and failed (red) workflow runs, and how to click into specific executions to see detailed error messages and understand exactly where a workflow went wrong. This is crucial for troubleshooting issues like missing API keys or incorrect data formats.
Node Functionality: The video practically explains the function of various nodes by categorizing them into trigger, action, and logic nodes. Examples like the webhook node (receiving data), cron node (scheduling tasks), and if/switch nodes (decision making) are explained through relatable analogies and use cases (e.g., a doorbell for a trigger, an alarm clock for a cron node).
Local N8 Installation and Usage: The instructor provides a practical walkthrough of installing and running N8 locally on a computer using Node.js. This includes searching for Node.js command prompts, running the N8 installation command, and accessing the local N8 dashboard via a localhost link in the browser. The limitations of local installations (automations stop when the PC is off) are also practically highlighted.
Building a LinkedIn Research Agent: A live demonstration of building and executing a workflow is showcased. The instructor uses a form trigger to input a LinkedIn URL and then demonstrates how the workflow scrapes the profile to generate a summary report, identifying pain points and suggesting solutions. This practical example illustrates how to use N8 for lead generation and sales intelligence.
The instructor practically demonstrated the building of the research agent by following these steps:
Workflow Design (Implicit): While the exact creation of the workflow wasn't shown in minute detail, it's implied that the agent was built using various N8 nodes. Key nodes likely used include:
Execution of the Workflow:
Demonstrating Workflow Functionality:
Essentially, the demonstration focused on the triggering of the agent (via form submission) and the output it produced, which showcased its practical application in generating sales insights.
The video elaborates on the workflow process for the LinkedIn research agent by explaining the function of its components and then demonstrating its execution.
Workflow Components and Their Functions:
Trigger Node (Form Trigger):
Data Input (LinkedIn URL):
Web Scraping/Data Extraction:
Data Processing and Analysis (AI Integration):
Output/Reporting:
Demonstration of Execution:
In essence, the workflow starts with a user providing a LinkedIn URL via a form, then uses tools like HTTP requests (and likely AI integration) to scrape and analyze the profile, and finally presents a structured report of insights that can be used for sales or research purposes.
Yes, the form shown in the demonstration was indeed connected to n8n. The instructor explained and demonstrated this connection implicitly through the workflow's execution.
Here's how it works and how it was likely set up:
How it's done in n8n (General Process):
During the demonstration, when the instructor pasted the LinkedIn URL into the form and clicked "Submit," he was interacting directly with this n8n-generated form. The act of submission triggered the rest of the automation chain he had built within n8n.