1️⃣ What is n8n? n8n is an AI automation & workflow tool (like Zapier / Make) but more powerful and flexible. Before building workflows or AI agents, it’s important to understand core terms. 2️⃣ APIs vs Webhooks (Very Important) API (Application Programming Interface) You request data from another app Example: 👉 n8n asks Facebook: “Give me leads” Webhook (Reverse API) Another app sends data to you automatically when an event happens Example: 👉 Website says: “A new form is submitted” → sends data to n8n 📌 Simple rule: API = You ask Webhook = You receive automatically 3️⃣ HTTP Request Tool in n8n Used when no direct integration exists Helps connect any external API Very powerful for custom automations 4️⃣ Data & Databases 🔹 JSON (Most Important Format) JSON is how data travels between apps Lightweight, readable, and fast Example: { "name": "Ayesha", "email": "
[email protected]", "order": 2500 } 🔹 Database Types Relational DB: Tables (rows & columns) JSON DB: Stores data as flexible objects (used a lot in APIs & AI) 5️⃣ Embeddings, Vectors & Vector Databases (AI Core) Embeddings: Convert text → numbers Vectors: Those numbers represent meaning Vector Databases: Store these meanings for smart search Example: “Doctor” ≈ “Physician” (meaning close) AI understands context, not just words 6️⃣ AI Agent Components in n8n 🧠 Chat Model (Brain) Does thinking & reasoning Examples: Gemini, Claude, Mistral, Ollama 🗂 Memory Remembers conversation & history Simple memory → small data Database memory → large systems 🛠 Tools Actions AI can perform Email sending, HTTP calls, database search, summarization ❓ Important Concept Questions (Explained Simply) 🔹 Why avoid direct engine immersion? 👉 Because jumping straight into building workflows without concepts causes: Confusion Poor architecture Broken automations 📌 First understand terms + flow, then build. Foundation > Speed 🔹 How does JSON structure data?