INTRODUCTION TO AI AGENT AND HOW TO APPLY IT WITH N8N – BUILDING AI AGENT EASILY IN 15 MINUTES
Explore how to build an AI Agent with the n8n automation platform. Learn about the powerful features of AI Agents and how to implement them in 15 minutes to automate workflows.
(This article was shared by the author during the AI Agent with n8n seminar. Link to the slide at the end of the blog.)
1. The World of AI Agents
In the era of digital technology development, AI is gradually becoming an essential component in software development. From simple coding assistants to complex automated systems, AI Agents are the quiet but powerful "agents" contributing to changing the way software is built and operated.
Modern AI Agents can:
- Perform tasks without predefined rules
- Smartly detect anomalies
- Predict and prevent issues early
- Provide insightful analysis (insights) useful for both novice and experienced developers
This article will introduce how to build a personalized AI Agent with n8n – an open-source automation platform capable of integrating with AI models.
2. What is an AI Agent?
An AI Agent is an autonomous system capable of:
- Receiving multi-source data
- Making reasonable decisions
- Executing actions in the environment
- Aiming toward specific goals
Unlike regular chatbots, true AI Agents have a "Reasoning Engine" that helps them make independent decisions based on context.
a. A Historical Perspective
The concept of AI Agents is not entirely new. Between 2018 and 2020, we saw its emergence in:
- Reinforcement Learning (RL) systems
- Models like DQN, PPO
- Famous applications: AlphaGo, AlphaZero, Dota 2 AI
The classic RL mechanism works as follows:
- Actions: Influence the environment
- Rewards: Quality feedback on actions
- Observations: Collecting environmental state data
Simply put: The AI Agent observes → reasons with Machine Learning models → takes action → achieves goals
b. The Role of Large Language Models (LLMs)
Large Language Models (LLMs) are the heart of modern AI Agents thanks to their ability to:
- Perform logical reasoning
- Evaluate immediate results
- Process multimodal data (e.g., text, images, and audio). Real-world example: Gemini (Google) analyzes cooking videos → generates step-by-step recipes in text form
Special features of LLMs include:
- Output is not just plain text
- Can generate structured data (XML, JSON)
- Integrates complete API commands
- Outputs executable code snippets
Examples of application:
- Output JSON controlling a cooking machine
- Automatically generating code snippets
- Creating API calls with complete parameters
c. The Technique of Prompt Engineering
How can LLMs understand and use tools? The answer lies in prompt design.
For example, consider a simple calculation function:
def add(x, y): return x + y
def multiply(x, y): return x * y
An effective prompt design approach would be:
LLMs strengths:
- Fast learning through examples (few-shot learning)
- Self-correction of errors
- Adaptation to changes in the environment
- This forms the foundation for the Reasoning Engine behind modern AI Agents
3. The Technical Essence of AI Agents
Let’s break down the core operating process of an AI Agent into four key steps:
- Input Collection: From users, systems, or live data streams
- Multilayer Reasoning: Utilizing deeply structured prompt chains
- Action Execution: Through structured outputs like JSON, API calls, or scripts
- Continuous Optimization: Learning from real-time feedback for improved future performance
4. n8n - The Ultimate Companion for AI Agents
a. Journey into Automation
n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is a powerful open-source workflow automation platform that seamlessly integrates with AI tools. The unique name combines:
- Node: Reflecting both the Node-based UI and Node.js technology
- Automation: The core functionality of the platform → Together forming "nodemation", which was then shortened to n8n
Why is n8n the perfect companion for building AI Agents?
- Drag-and-drop interface: No advanced coding required
- 400+ service integrations: From GitHub to Google Cloud
- Flexible deployment: Cloud or on-premise
- Hybrid customization: Combine GUI workflows with code when needed
b. Fair-code Licensing Model
What sets n8n apart from other automation tools is its fair-code license, which offers:
- Free for personal use (with performance limits)
- Commercial plans tailored to business needs
- Open-source transparency: Full access to source code
- Self-hosting freedom: Deploy anywhere, on your own terms
c. Installing n8n in One Command
Option 1: Use npx (requires Node.js >=18)
npx n8n
Option 2: Use Docker (recommended for production)
docker run -it --rm
--name n8n
-p 5678:5678
docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n Option 3: Install globally via npm npm install n8n -g n8n access the visual workflow interface at: http://localhost:5678
--name n8n
-p 5678:5678
docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n Option 3: Install globally via npm npm install n8n -g n8n access the visual workflow interface at: http://localhost:5678
5. Build a Newsletter Agent with n8n
From idea to reality in just 15 minutes
Let’s walk through how to create an AI-powered Newsletter Agent that automatically sends emails when a new release is published on GitHub:
- Create a new workflow
- Add an AI Agent node
- Configure your AI model (e.g. Claude)
- Connect the tools: - GitHub: Track repository releases - Gmail: Send email notifications The Result: Your automated system analyzes GitHub release notes → generates a professional summary → sends an email to your user list.
6. Strategic Tips for Using n8n Effectively
a. When should you use n8n?
n8n is your ultimate automation weapon in scenarios like:
- Rapid MVP development: Turn ideas into working demos within hours
- Flexible automation: Easily tweak and scale workflows
- Internal deployments: Runs smoothly on local networks (LAN)
- Cost-efficient scaling: Ideal for both startups and large enterprises
b. Expert Advice for Real-World Use
Based on hands-on experience, here are some golden tips:
- Start with the Community Edition for prototyping
- Upgrade to Enterprise Edition when you need multi-workflow support or team collaboration
- Begin with a simple use case, then expand
- Use webhooks for real-time workflow triggering
Important notes:
- The community version only runs a single active workflow
- The enterprise license can be costly
- Evaluate your business needs before upgrading
Author: Nguyễn Anh Bình
Reference resources:
- Trang chủ n8n
- Documentation chính thức
- Cộng đồng người dùng
- GitHub repository
- Link slide: AI Agent with N8N
4/22/2025
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