If you've never opened n8n, you'll learn how to open a workflow, understand the main parts of the interface, and navigate it with confidence. You'll also see that it's possible to create powerful automations without writing code, especially when using a large language model (LLM) alongside n8n.

How It Works

n8n is low-code, not no-code. Some parts may look technical, but you don't need a full programming background. Workflows are built by connecting nodes, where each node performs one job like getting data, transforming it, sending it, or calling AI.

LLM stands for Large Language Model (ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, etc.). LLMs can:

• Generate or clean text and data automatically;
• Explain errors in plain English;
• Produce small helper logic that would otherwise require code;

In short, instead of writing code from scratch, you can often ask an LLM to write the thing or explain the thing. To start you will need a minimal set up

Getting Comfortable with Templates

There are thousands of public n8n workflows available. Importing them is normal — even professionals do it. This course provides templates to explore, and studying working ones is faster than starting from zero.

After signing up, you'll see the overview/dashboard. Click Create workflow, and a blank canvas will appear. That canvas is where you'll add, connect, rename, and run your nodes.

Beginners often run into the same problems when starting with n8n such as expecting it to be drag-and-drop magic without understanding how data actually moves between nodes. Without using the Executions view errors become difficult to find and by editing the only copy of a workflow they often lose a version that once worked. The lack of documentation for what each node does further adds to the confusion when revisiting a project later. Here is quick review of key parts: