Thread by @EXM7777

most people struggle with n8n because they try to learn every single node...

here are the 20 nodes that will handle 95% of your automations:

a thread 🧵

1/ HTTP Request Node

this is your gateway to connect with any API

basic setup:
- method: GET/POST/PUT
- URL: the API endpoint
- headers: usually "Content-Type: application/json"
- body: your data payload

master this node and you can connect n8n to literally anything

2/ IF Node

your automation's decision maker

think of it as "if this happens, do that"

setup:
- condition type: string, number, boolean
- operation: equal, contains, greater than
- value 1: the data you're checking
- value 2: what you're comparing it to

3/ Set Node

transforms and cleans your data

use it to:
- rename fields
- add new properties
- format data for the next step
- clean messy API responses

setup:
- operation: "set"
- name: new field name
- value: {{ $json.old_field_name }}

4/ Gmail Node

automate your entire email workflow

can:
- send emails
- read incoming messages
- search for specific emails
- mark as read/unread

setup requires:
- google oauth connection
- proper scopes enabled
- recipient/subject/body fields

5/ Google Sheets Node

turn spreadsheets into databases

operations:
- append: add new rows
- lookup: find specific data
- update: modify existing rows
- read: get spreadsheet data

setup:
- google service account
- sheet ID from URL
- range (like A1:Z1000)

6/ Webhook Node

triggers your automation from external sources

types:
- webhook trigger: starts workflows
- webhook response: sends data back

setup:
- copy the webhook URL
- paste into external app
- configure HTTP method
- set response format

7/ Schedule Trigger Node

runs automations on autopilot

options:
- interval: every X minutes/hours
- cron expression: specific times
- timezone settings

setup:
- choose interval or cron
- set timezone
- enable/disable as needed

8/ Slack Node

automate team communication

can:
- send messages to channels
- direct message users
- create channels
- upload files

setup:
- slack app token
- channel ID or username
- message content
- formatting options

9/ Code Node (JavaScript)

write custom logic when nodes aren't enough

use for:
- complex data transformations
- custom calculations
- API response parsing
- conditional logic

setup:
- write JavaScript code
- use $input.all() for data
- return array of objects

10/ Merge Node

combines data from multiple sources

types:
- append: stack data vertically
- merge: combine by key
- multiplex: cross-join data

setup:
- choose merge mode
- set input names
- configure join conditions

11/ Split In Batches Node

processes large datasets efficiently

prevents timeouts and API limits

setup:
- batch size: items per batch
- reset: start fresh each run
- input data: your large dataset

12/ Wait Node

adds delays between actions

prevents API rate limiting

types:
- wait for time: fixed delay
- wait for webhook: external trigger

setup:
- delay duration
- unit (seconds/minutes/hours)

13/ Filter Node

removes unwanted data from your workflow

conditions:
- keep items that match
- remove items that match
- pass through all

setup:
- condition type
- field to check
- comparison value

14/ Error Trigger Node

catches workflow failures

handles:
- API timeouts
- authentication errors
- data validation issues

setup:
- connect to main workflow
- add error handling logic
- send notifications or retry

15/ NoOp Node

placeholder that does nothing

useful for:
- workflow organization
- temporary connections
- testing purposes

setup:
- just connect it

sometimes you need a node that literally does nothing

16/ FTP Node

transfers files between servers

operations:
- upload files
- download files
- list directory contents

setup:
- FTP server credentials
- file paths
- transfer mode

17/ Switch Node

multiple conditional branches

like IF node but with many options

setup:
- routing mode
- multiple conditions
- fallback route

when you need more than simple if/else logic

18/ Execute Workflow Node

runs other workflows from inside workflows

creates:
- modular automations
- reusable workflow components
- complex orchestration

setup:
- target workflow ID
- input data
- wait for completion

19/ Agent Node (AI Tools)

connects AI models to your automations

can:
- call OpenAI, Claude, or local models
- use tools and function calling
- chain AI responses together
- process unstructured data

setup:
- choose AI model (OpenAI/Anthropic/etc)
- add API credentials
- configure tools and prompts
- set temperature and max tokens

20/ MySQL Node

connects to real databases

operations:
- execute SQL queries
- insert/update/delete records
- run stored procedures

setup:
- database credentials
- connection string
- SQL query with parameters

master these 20 nodes and you can build 95% of business automations

(let me know if i forgot one)

start with the first 5:
- HTTP Request
- IF
- Set
- Gmail
- Google Sheets

then gradually add the others as you need them

don't try to learn all 200+ nodes at once

focus on these core ones and you'll build some great automations