Quick Start

Learn n8n core concepts and build practical workflow automations. This Quick Start teaches the essential patterns you need to create powerful automations.

🎯 What You’ll Learn

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll understand:

• n8n’s node-based workflow system
• Triggers, actions, and data flow
• Working with credentials and connections
• Testing and debugging workflows

📋 Prerequisites

• n8n installed and running (see Initial Setup)
• Basic understanding of APIs and webhooks helpful but not required

🧩 Understanding Nodes

Nodes are the building blocks of n8n workflows. There are four types:

Trigger Nodes

Start your workflow when an event occurs:

• Schedule Trigger: Run on a time schedule
• Webhook: Receive HTTP requests
• Email Trigger: React to new emails
• Manual Trigger: Start workflows manually

Action Nodes

Perform operations:

• HTTP Request: Call any API
• Database: Query or update databases
• Spreadsheet: Read/write to Google Sheets, Excel
• Email: Send emails via SMTP, Gmail, etc.

Logic Nodes

Control workflow flow:

• IF: Conditional branching
• Switch: Multiple condition routing
• Merge: Combine data from multiple branches
• Loop: Iterate over data

Data Transformation Nodes

Modify data:

• Set: Add or modify fields
• Code: Write custom JavaScript/Python
• Function: Transform data with expressions
• Filter: Remove unwanted data

🔄 Building Your First Real Workflow

Let’s create a workflow that monitors a website and sends an email if it’s down:

Step 1: Add Schedule Trigger

1. Create new workflow
2. Add “Schedule Trigger” node
3. Set to run every 5 minutes

Step 2: Check Website

1. Add “HTTP Request” node
2. Method: GET
3. URL: https://example.com
4. In “Options” tab:
   • Enable “Ignore SSL Issues” if needed
   • Set timeout to 10 seconds

Step 3: Add Conditional Check

1. Add “IF” node
2. Condition: {{ $json.statusCode }} equals 200
3. This splits the workflow into “true” and “false” paths

Step 4: Send Alert Email (False Path)

1. Connect to the “false” output of IF node
2. Add “Send Email” node
3. Configure your SMTP credentials
4. Subject: “Website Down Alert”
5. Body: “Website is not responding. Status code: {{ $json.statusCode }}”

Step 5: Test and Activate

1. Click “Execute Workflow” to test
2. Verify the workflow executes correctly
3. Activate the workflow with the toggle switch

🔐 Working with Credentials

Many nodes require credentials to connect to services:

Adding Credentials

1. Click “Create New Credential” in a node
2. Select credential type (e.g., Gmail, Slack, AWS)
3. Fill in required information (API keys, tokens, etc.)
4. Test the connection
5. Save

Credential Types

• OAuth2: Connects via OAuth (Google, Microsoft, etc.)
• API Key: Simple API key authentication
• Username/Password: Basic authentication
• Custom: Advanced custom authentication

📊 Data Flow and Expressions

Data flows from node to node in JSON format. You can access data using expressions:

Accessing Current Node Data

{
  {
    $json.fieldName;
  }
}
{
  {
    $json["field-with-dash"];
  }
}

Accessing Previous Node Data

{
  {
    $node["NodeName"].json.fieldName;
  }
}

Using Functions

{
  {
    $now.toISO();
  }
}
{
  {
    $json.name.toUpperCase();
  }
}
{
  {
    $json.items.length;
  }
}

🛠️ Testing and Debugging

Execute Node

Click “Execute Node” on any node to test it individually.

View Data

Click on a node after execution to see:

• Input Data: Data received by the node
• Output Data: Data produced by the node
• Execution Info: Timing and status

Common Issues

No Data: Check that previous nodes executed successfully and produced output.

Error Messages: Read the error carefully - n8n provides detailed error information.

Data Not Matching: Use the “Set” node to transform data into the expected format.

🎨 Common Workflow Patterns

1. Data Collection and Storage

Schedule → HTTP Request → Parse Data → Database Insert

2. Webhook Processing

Webhook → Validate Data → Process → Send Response

3. Notification System

Trigger → Check Condition → IF → Send Notification

4. Data Synchronization

Schedule → Fetch from Source → Transform → Update Destination

✅ Next Steps

You now understand n8n’s core concepts! To deepen your knowledge:

1. Try the examples: Build the website monitoring workflow
2. Explore By Example: n8n By Example - Practical workflow examples

🎯 Self-Assessment

After completing this Quick Start, you should be able to:

• Understand the four types of nodes in n8n
• Create workflows with triggers and actions
• Use conditional logic with IF nodes
• Set up credentials for external services
• Access data using expressions
• Test and debug workflows