AIML 901

n8n Access Instructions

Alex Jensen

Overview

Even though we are using n8n, we will be utilizing other services, such as OpenAI, Slack, Google Sheets, and Outlook Calendar. If we want to access an LLM like GPT-5 through n8n, we can’t just use the ChatGPT interface online. Instead, we make a call to an API. An API (Application Programming Interface) is a way for different software systems to communicate with one another.

For each service, we will make an API key. This is a form of authorization that lets a program prove that it’s allowed to access the API. For example, if we want to call the OpenAI API to use an LLM, the API key tells OpenAI that the program calling it should have access.

This document is organized into two main sections:

  • Before the Class gives information on setting up accounts before the class starts so that you are ready when we begin.
  • Connecting During the Class explains how to connect these products within n8n. This will be done during the lectures and recitations but you are free to get this set up earlier.

Before the Class

Getting Started with n8n

You should have received an email that looks like this: email_screenshot Create an n8n account using this email and you will be able to access our workspace.

Google Products

For the class, you can either use a personal Google account or create a new one specifically for this class. If you already have an account that you are willing to use, there is no action item here. Note that n8n will have access to your files in this account.

OpenAI

In the recitations, all examples will use OpenAI’s GPT-5, since this is a state-of-the-art model. However, to use this via the API, you need to complete an identity verification that requires submitting personal information; the steps to do this are shown below. We strongly recommend that you do this. GPT-5 is (currently) one of the best models available. However, n8n also works with other LLMs, so you are able to use alternative models. If you are not comfortable completing this step, please reach out to us.

  1. Log into https://platform.openai.com or make an account to get started. Even if you’ve used ChatGPT before, this interface might look slightly different.
  2. In the top right corner, click on Settings (a gear icon) and then navigate to Billing.
    1. If the gear icon doesn’t appear, you’ll see a button that says Start building. Click on this and your organization name should be something like Personal. Once you create an organization, skip the next step to invite your team, make your first API call, and add API credits. (Even though we’ll do those steps next, steps 3–6 will be repeatable if you want to add more credit or make more API keys)
    2. Once you do these steps, the gear icon should appear in the top right. Click on this and then navigate to Billing.
  3. Add a payment method and then add $5-10 to your credit balance. This will allow you to make calls to OpenAI from n8n and should be enough for the whole course.
  4. In the top left, press the search button and search for API keys or navigate to https://platform.openai.com/settings/organization/api-keys
  5. Press + Create new secret key and give it a name like “n8n connection”.
  6. Save your key somewhere secure and copy it; you will not be able to access this key again beyond this screen and you will need to input it into n8n later. If you lose it, you can always make another API key.

Verification:

  1. Log into https://platform.openai.com. Click on Settings and then navigate to General.
  2. You should see within the settings an option called Verification. Click the Verify Organization button and follow the steps to complete the process.

Connecting During the Class

OpenAI

  1. Sign in to https://aiml901-martin.app.n8n.cloud/signin. Next to the Create Workflow button, press the small arrow and choose Create Credential. create_credential
  2. Choose OpenAI and then hit Continue
  3. For the API Key, put in the key from step 3.
  4. Hit Save. You should get a green box that says that the connection was tested successfully.

When you use an OpenAI node, you can now use this credential to access OpenAI models!

Google Product API Keys

We will show you how to get set up with Google Calendar, but the same idea holds for Google Calendar, Gmail, and other Google products. We recommend that you set this up for Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Sheets.

  1. In n8n, next to the Create Workflow button, press the small arrow and choose Create Credential.
  2. Choose Google Calendar OAuth2 API and then hit Continue
  3. This will take you to a screen where you can sign in with your Google account. Do this and you’re all set!

Getting Connected to Telegram

We will use Telegram to message n8n since it has a great interface for connecting chatbots.

Download the Telegram app on your phone to get started.

  1. In Telegram, open a new chat with BotFather and type /newbot. It will then prompt you to name your bot. Follow the prompts until your bot is created.
  2. When successfully created, a message will appear that says Use this token to access the HTTP API. Copy the string of letters and numbers.
  3. In n8n, click Create Credential and choose Telegram. Paste the token from Telegram into the Access Token field and then click Save.
  4. In Telegram, the message begins with Done! Congratulations on your new bot. You will find it at, followed by a URL. Click on this link and hit Start to begin a chat with your bot.

Telegram Privacy

When you make a Telegram bot, this is technically accessible by anyone who knows the bot’s username. This means that other people could potentially message your bot. When we are linking an n8n workflow to Telegram, we should ensure that we only move forward if the message is from a whitelisted user (or, more restrictively, just yourself). Here is a great video showing both how to set up Telegram with n8n and also how to make sure that it only accepts messages from valid users. We will do a similar but slightly easier step in Recitation 1.