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Module 1: What Even Is Automation?

Your first steps into the world of automation!

📌 Goal

By the end of this module, you'll understand what automation is (without any confusing tech talk!) and create your very first n8n workflow.

🛠 Nodes You'll Learn

  • Manual Trigger: The starting point that kicks off your workflow when you click a button
  • Set: A simple but powerful node that lets you create and store information

🎯 Practice Task

Create a simple workflow that says "Hello, [Your Name]! 🎉" when you click a button.

📝 Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Getting Started with n8n

First, let's open n8n and take a quick look around:

  1. Log into your n8n account (your instructor will provide access details)
  2. You'll see the main dashboard - this is your command center for all automations
  3. Click the big "Create Workflow" button to start a new project
  4. Give your workflow a name like "My First Automation" by clicking on "Untitled" at the top and typing your new title

Step 2: Adding Your First Node - The Manual Trigger

Every workflow needs a starting point - something that tells it "Hey, it's time to run!"

  1. In the empty workflow area, you'll see a "+" button - click it
  2. A panel will open showing different nodes (think of these as building blocks)
  3. Type "Manual" in the search box
  4. Click on "Manual Trigger" from the results
  5. Ta-da! You've added your first node to the workflow

The Manual Trigger is like a big friendly button that says "Start!" When you click it, your workflow will run.

Step 3: Adding Your Second Node - The Set Node

Now let's add a node that will create your personalized greeting:

  1. Click on the Manual Trigger node you just added
  2. You'll see a "+" button appear to the right - click it
  3. Search for "Set" in the search box
  4. Click on "Set" from the results
  5. You'll see the Set node appear, connected to your Manual Trigger

Step 4: Customizing Your Message

Let's make the Set node display your personalized greeting:

  1. In the Set node settings panel, look for the "Values to Set" section
  2. Click the "Add Value" button
  3. For "Name," type message (this is like a label for your data)
  4. For "Value," type Hello, [Your Name]! 🎉 (replace [Your Name] with your actual name)
  5. Click the "Execute Workflow" button at the bottom of the screen

Step 5: See Your Workflow in Action!

Now for the exciting part - running your workflow:

  1. Look at the "Execution" panel that appears at the bottom
  2. Click on the Set node in this panel
  3. You'll see your message appear in the "Output" section
  4. Congratulations! You've just created and run your first automation! 🎉

💡 Real-Life Analogy

The Domino Effect

Think of a workflow like a row of dominoes. The Manual Trigger is you tapping the first domino with your finger. Once that first domino falls, it automatically knocks down the next one (the Set node), which displays your message. You only had to tap once, and everything else happened automatically!

✅ Self-Check Quiz

1. What does the Manual Trigger node do in a workflow?

  • A) It automatically runs your workflow every hour
  • B) It starts your workflow when you click the "Execute Workflow" button
  • C) It sends an email
  • D) It creates a message

Correct Answer: B) It starts your workflow when you click the "Execute Workflow" button

The Manual Trigger is the starting point that requires a manual click to activate. It doesn't run automatically or perform other actions like sending emails or creating messages.

2. In this module, what did the Set node help you create?

  • A) A timer
  • B) A personalized greeting message
  • C) A connection to another app
  • D) A spreadsheet

Correct Answer: B) A personalized greeting message

The Set node was used to create and store a personalized greeting message with your name in it. It didn't create a timer, connect to another app, or create a spreadsheet.

🚀 Next Steps

Now that you've created your first workflow, try these challenges:

  1. Change the message in the Set node to something different. Maybe add some more emoji or make it say something funny!
  2. Each time you make a change, click "Execute Workflow" to see your new message.

In the next module, we'll take things up a notch and create an automation that runs by itself on a schedule and fetches cool space images from NASA!

💬 Fun Fact

The word "automation" comes from the Greek word "automatos" which means "acting of itself." That's exactly what you're creating - things that happen by themselves after you set them up once!

Back to Home Next Module: Your First Real Automation