In the previous lessons, we installed n8n, understood the interface, and learned what a workflow means. Now it is time to build our first real automation. This small project is called the "Hello World" workflow. It helps beginners understand how nodes connect and how automation runs.
Concept – What Are We Building?
We will create a simple workflow that:
- Starts manually
- Sets a message
- Shows output automatically
This is the smallest and easiest workflow to understand.
Why Start With Hello World?
Before building complex automations like emails or Excel updates, you must first understand basic connections. This simple workflow builds confidence and removes fear.
Problem Without Practice
If you only read theory and do not practice:
- You forget steps
- You feel confused later
- Automation becomes difficult
So hands-on practice is very important.
Automation Solution
By creating this small workflow, you will learn:
- How to add nodes
- How to connect nodes
- How to run workflow
- How to see output
Step-by-Step Practical Demo
Step 1 – Open n8n Dashboard
Open browser and go to:
http://localhost:5678
Step 2 – Create New Workflow
Click "New Workflow". You will see an empty canvas.
Step 3 – Add Manual Trigger Node
- Click + button
- Search "Manual Trigger"
- Add it to canvas
This node starts the workflow manually when we click Execute.
Step 4 – Add Set Node
- Click + again
- Add "Set" node
- Connect Manual Trigger → Set
Set node is used to create or modify data.
Step 5 – Add Message
Inside Set node:
- Add field name: message
- Value: Hello Automation World
Step 6 – Execute Workflow
Click "Execute Workflow" button.
Now you will see output in the result panel.
Final Result
You will see something like:
{
"message": "Hello Automation World"
}
Congratulations! Your first automation is working successfully.
Real-Life Understanding
This small example is just practice. In real projects:
- Manual Trigger → Gmail node (send email)
- Manual Trigger → Excel node (update sheet)
- Webhook → Database → Notification
Same concept, bigger tasks.
Benefits of This Lesson
- Hands-on learning
- Understand node connections
- Builds confidence
- Foundation for advanced workflows
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Not connecting nodes properly
- Forgetting to click Execute
- Not saving workflow
- Adding wrong field names
Practice Exercise
- Create Hello World workflow
- Change message text
- Add two fields instead of one
- Run again and observe output
Quick Remember Points
- Manual Trigger starts workflow
- Set node creates data
- Connect nodes properly
- Execute to test
Quick Mind Map
Manual Trigger
↓
Set Node
↓
Output Message
Conclusion
You successfully created your first workflow in n8n. Now you understand how nodes connect and how automation runs. From the next lessons, we will build real-life projects like emails, sheets, and webhooks.
Next Lesson
In Lesson 6, we will learn about different types of nodes in n8n and understand when to use each node.