n8n
An open-source workflow automation platform. Build visual automations without coding.
Why it matters
n8n community edition is free to self-host. You can build complex workflows visually, with full control.
In practice
We run 13 n8n workflows in production. Only 3 use LLM calls — the rest are pure automation at $0 cost.
Related terms
n8n-First Principle
A design philosophy: every repeatable task is a workflow, not an AI call. AI is the last resort.
Workflow
A defined sequence of steps executed in order to achieve a goal.
Workflow Automation
End-to-end execution of business processes without manual intervention.
Webhook
An HTTP call triggered automatically by an event. The nervous system of agent architectures.