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