Common Prerequisites & Service Setup
One-time setup guide for all services used across automation exercises.
Overview
Complete these prerequisites once, and you’re ready for all 30+ exercises. This guide is broken into manageable sections that take 5-10 minutes each.
What You’ll Set Up
| Service | Purpose | Time |
|---|---|---|
| n8n Platform | Workflow automation platform | 5 min |
| Google Services | Connect Gmail & Sheets via n8n | 5 min |
| AI Services | Connect OpenRouter, Gemini, Perplexity | 10 min |
| GitHub Setup | Save workflows online | 10 min |
Do This First: These prerequisites are required before starting any exercise. Once configured, you won’t need to repeat these steps.
Setup Path
Follow this recommended order:
graph LR
A[n8n Platform<br/>Setup] --> B[Google Services<br/>Gmail & Sheets]
B --> C[AI Services<br/>OpenRouter, Gemini, Perplexity]
C --> D[Start Building<br/>Workflows]
style A fill:#f3e5f5
style B fill:#e1f5fe
style C fill:#fff3e0
style D fill:#c8e6c9
Quick Navigation
Why This Approach?
OAuth Over App Passwords
Professional Best Practice: OAuth provides better security, granular permissions, and works across all Google services with one setup. App passwords are deprecated and less secure.
Benefits of Centralised Setup
- ✅ One-time configuration for all exercises
- ✅ Single OAuth credential for Gmail, Sheets, and Drive
- ✅ Professional approach suitable for production
- ✅ Better security with granular permissions
- ✅ Easier troubleshooting with clear separation
Ready to Begin?
Start with n8n platform setup - it’s the foundation for everything else.