n8n tutorial for beginners
Agentic AI is the way to go in 2025. The world has quite swiftly moved from LLMs to AI that can execute tasks, not just spit text. Today we won’t be talking about any LLMs, but an exciting software that I recently discovered called n8n, which is taking the internet by storm, and everyone is talking about it.
https://medium.com/media/5de7d8b2a8367f50f578a1f8bc8ab294/href
Follow the above tutorial for setting up n8n and building your first AI Agentic workflow
What is n8n?
No Code Automation Workflow Creator using AI
n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a free, flexible tool that helps you automate tasks between different apps and services without needing to be a tech expert. Think of it like a digital assistant that connects your favourite tools (like Slack, Google Sheets, or ChatGPT) to work together seamlessly. You can run it on your own server or use their cloud version.
Key Features of n8n
Drag-and-Drop Simplicity
- Build workflows by connecting “nodes” (pre-built blocks for apps like Gmail, Trello, or AI models) on a visual canvas. No coding needed, but you can add custom code if you want.
Works with 400+ Apps
- Integrates with popular tools (e.g., Salesforce, WhatsApp) and lets you connect to any app with an API. Even supports AI models.
Free & Self-Hosted
- Unlike paid tools like Zapier, n8n’s self-hosted version is completely free. You only pay for server costs, which can be very affordable or even run locally
AI Power
- Create “AI agents” that make decisions, like analysing customer emails and auto-responding or summarising data.
Code When You Want
- Add JavaScript or Python snippets for advanced tasks, but skip coding for simple automations.
Privacy-Focused
- Self-hosting means your data stays on your server, ideal for sensitive workflows.
Totally free
- No costs involved.
Why Everyone Should Try n8n
I discovered n8n quite late, and to be honest, this looks to be a freak of a platform where you can create AI agents for almost anything by just dragging and dropping. No codes required.
- Saves Time: Automate repetitive tasks (e.g., saving emails to spreadsheets, sending Slack alerts).
- No Lock-In: Free to use forever, unlike subscription-based tools.
- Grows with You: Start simple (e.g., auto-post tweets), then build complex workflows (e.g., AI chatbots).
- Learn as You Go: Beginner-friendly templates guide you, while advanced features wait until you’re ready.
Example Use Cases:
- Send a WhatsApp message when a new Shopify order arrives.
- Scrape website data and save it to Google Sheets.
- Auto posting on LinkedIn, Twitter
You can explore some workflows here for automation
Discover 1798 Automation Workflows from the n8n’s Community
How to get started with n8n?
Very easy…
- Make sure you have ‘npx’ in your system
- Run
npx n8n
- You should see a screen like this in your default browser.. You’re done!
The Future of n8n: Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore It
If you haven’t heard of Agentic AI — AI that doesn’t just talk but gets things done — you’re already behind. Tools like n8n are at the forefront of this shift, turning sci-fi automation into everyday reality.
By 2025, automation won’t be a luxury — it’ll be a necessity. The world is moving fast, and manual, repetitive tasks are becoming obsolete. That’s where n8n shines:
- No-code, no limits: You don’t need to be a programmer. If you can imagine an automation, you can build it — just drag, drop, and go.
- Agentic AI, today: While others are still talking about AI assistants, n8n lets you actually create them — autonomous workflows that think, decide, and act.
- The future is self-running: Soon, your workflows won’t just follow rules — they’ll learn, adapt, and improve on their own.
This isn’t just another tool. It’s the key to staying relevant in a world where automation eats manual work for breakfast.
So, what are you waiting for? The future isn’t coming — it’s already here. Try n8n now, before you get left behind.
What is n8n? Build AI Agents without coding was originally published in Data Science in Your Pocket on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
