This n8n tutorial shows you how to build your first AI agent—totally free and without needing to know how to code.
First, you’ll learn what makes an AI agent different from a simple workflow or chatbot, so you can start thinking like a builder, not just a user. Next, you’ll get hands-on with n8n, an open-source automation platform that combines drag-and-drop power with AI reasoning and tool access. Then, I’ll walk you step-by-step through installing n8n locally using Docker and show how to create your first automation, all for free. After that, we’ll build a real AI agent that connects to Gemini, reads overdue invoices from QuickBooks, and drafts personalized email reminders to customers.
You’ll also learn how to write better prompts for your agents using a framework that blends Role, Task, Tools, and Output to get the most reliable behavior. Next, you’ll see how to test, troubleshoot, and inspect your AI agent’s behavior—down to every message it sends—so you stay in control. Finally, we’ll go one level deeper by adding a “Human in the Loop” approval step via Discord, giving you final review power before anything goes out.
Host: David DeWinter
Sponsor: Intuit
Kevin Stratvert 