Automation is the future of productivity, and n8n is one of the most powerful open-source workflow automation tools available in 2025. This article will introduce you to n8n workflows.
Think of n8n as a digital assistant that handles repetitive tasks for you by scheduling them or by moving data between different applications. In the past, such repetitive tasks were automated by small codes or applications.
This is the superpower of n8n: providing an interface that allows everyone to automate these tasks, with no prior knowledge of programming or coding skills.
How does n8n work?
You can imagine the n8n tool as a set of pieces, called nodes. Each node represents an application that performs a task or triggers an event. There are two types of nodes:
- Trigger node: This is what starts your workflow run. It could be a new form submission, an email in your inbox, or an event from another app.
- Action nodes: They define the logic, specific applications, and actions in your workflow.
In this example, we have four nodes, including Gmail, Prompt, OpenAI, and Google Sheets. They can process and exchange data with each other. In this case, the trigger is Gmail. Intuitively, something begins running as soon as a new email arrives in Gmail. All the nodes are very intuitive. You can recognize them by their logo, and you don’t have to know programming to choose which one to use. The arrows flowing from left to right give us the idea of a workflow.
What are n8n workflows?
A n8n workflow is a collection of nodes connected together to automate a process. They work by a starting trigger, followed by a series of connected nodes that perform specific tasks, such as moving data between applications, automating repetitive work, or managing processes.
When creating a new workflow, you can choose whether to start with an empty workflow or use an existing template. Templates provide:
- Best practices for creating your own workflows
- Help getting started: n8n might already have a template that does what you need.
- Examples of what you can build
We at Innotemplates are building and testing n8n templates, and some of them will be soon in our shop.
How to build n8n workflows?
The first step is to identify a task or process that you’d like to do. Usually it’s a task that is repetitive in your everyday routine. You can start by accessing the n8n workflows interface.
Every workflow begins with a trigger node, which initiates the workflow when a specific event occurs. Click “Add first step” or the “+” button on the canvas and search for the desired trigger (e.g., “Webhook,” “Schedule Trigger,” “Chat Trigger,” or a specific app’s trigger, such as “GitHub On Push”). Configure the trigger node with the necessary details.
After the trigger, add action nodes to perform the desired operations. Connect the output of one node to the input of the next by dragging a line between them.
Search for the required integration (e.g., “Google Drive,” “Slack,” “HTTP Request”) and select the specific action (e.g., “Download File,” “Send Message,” “Make Request”). Configure each action node with its specific parameters and credentials.
Can I use n8n for free?
This is a very common question. n8n offers an open-source version, GitHub repository, which is free forever if you run it locally by self-hosting it without paying anything.
That 14-day trial is just for their managed cloud service. The n8n prices vary, but are based on the workflow running. They start from 24€ per month, billed monthly.
Conclusion
n8n is designed to make your life easier. It gives you the power, customization, and the ability to self-host, making it an outstanding player in the automation world.
