I used to spend 10-15 minutes creating featured images for every blog post. Even with Python automation, I still had to open a CSV file and run terminal commands. Now it's completely hands-free. The New Workflow: Open a form on my phone → type the blog title → select category → hit submit. 30 seconds later, the image is generated, uploaded to MinIO, and saved in Airtable. Zero manual work. How It Works: 1. Airtable form submission triggers n8n webhook 2. n8n fetches the background image for that category 3. Calls my self-hosted Python API (running in Docker) 4. Python generates 1200×628 image with title + category overlay 5. Uploads to MinIO (self-hosted S3) 6. Airtable updates with the final image URL The Technical Challenge: Getting n8n to pass actual values to Python (not template variables) was tricky - I had to build a custom payload. The Python script handles everything: downloads the background, adds overlay, renders text with shadows, uploads to MinIO, and returns the URL to Airtable. (Full technical breakdown in the blog post) Two Versions Available: I built this with Airtable, but I also created a NocoDB version (free self-hosted alternative). Want the full breakdown? I documented everything with code samples, screenshots, and the complete workflow: 👉 Read the full tutorial on my blog The workflow, Airtable automation script, and Python code are now available in the n8n Template Library. 💬 Want automation like this for your setup? - Grab the template from the Template Library and deploy it yourself - Or book a Done-For-You service and I'll set it up for you Questions? Drop them below 👇

Hey! Glad you're here. You just joined a community of builders replacing expensive SaaS costs with self-hosted systems they actually own. 🎖️ You're a Founding Member 📦 What's Inside Right Now Production-ready infrastructure: - n8n workflows you can deploy tonight - Airtable bases (CRM, automation orchestration) - GitHub repo with Complete Docker stack (n8n + database + storage + all the tools) Support: - Direct access to me - 15 years building this stuff - Daily Q&A (24-hour response time) - New workflows added regularly What you need: - Docker, Git, basic command line - Any spare hardware or a $10/month VPS - A domain name 🚀 Your First Steps (Do These Today) 1. Jump to the Start Here: Introduce Yourself thread and drop a comment. Tell us what you're automating. 2. Check out the Classroom 📦 Head to the Classroom → Build Your Self-Hosted Stack → Module 1 starts with server setup 3. Ask your first question ❓ Tag me @Kjetil Furås anytime. No stupid questions here - if you're stuck, ask. 4. Import your first workflow 🔩 Once your stack is running, grab a template from the Classroom and get a quick win. 💡 What You're Getting: This isn't a course - it's my actual production infrastructure, shared openly. Real Docker stacks. Real workflows. Real guides. Real support from someone who's been doing this for 15 years. We're building this together as founding members. Your feedback shapes what gets added next. My goal: Help you replace your first SaaS tool within the first week. 🛠️ Need Hands-On Help? Most people DIY with the guides. But if you'd rather I set it up for you: - Template Implementation ($299) - Deploy any workflow from my template library - Full Infrastructure Setup ($699) - Complete stack + support

Before you dive into workflows and Docker containers, let’s get to know each other. Drop your intro below - keep it simple. 🎯 What to share: - Your name (first name is fine) - What you’re currently automating (or trying to) - Your biggest automation pain point right now - One thing you hope to build here No need to write an essay. A few sentences works. I’ll go first: I’m Kjetil from Stavanger, Norway 🇳🇴 Principal Consultant with 15 years in IT - specializing in Azure Cloud, DevOps, and automation. These days I’m deep into self-hosted automation with n8n, running everything from a $10 Hetzner server. I got tired of watching SaaS bills climb every month and losing control over my data and workflows. That’s when I went all-in on self-hosting. Now I run n8n workflows, TTS, video processing, and S3 storage on a single server. I use Airtable as my CRM and orchestration hub, but everything else is self-hosted. I've been experimenting with NocoDB (open-source Airtable alternative) and replicated about 80% of my Airtable workflows - completely self-hosted. I'll be sharing those templates as I build them out. Outside work, I love tinkering with Docker, GitHub, and homelab projects. When I’m not deploying containers, I’m hanging out with my wife and two kids. Why I built this community: Honestly, the self-hosted automation space is a mess. You’re piecing together info from 47 different YouTube videos, praying your Docker containers don’t break at 2am, and there’s no clear path from “hello world” to production. I want to change that. My goal: Help you build automation that saves money, runs reliably, and doesn’t hold you hostage to subscription pricing. Now you - drop your intro below! 👇