How to Build an AI Agent with n8n

Short summary

A practical guide to building AI agents in n8n using trigger, LLM, and tool nodes — covering system prompt scoping, function calling, and wiring HTTP/Function/Database nodes as tools. The author honestly identifies where n8n hits its ceiling: real-time voice agents, systematic prompt evaluation, and audit-trailed scoring require custom stacks like LiveKit or LangGraph. Useful for anyone prototyping agents without heavy engineering overhead.

• •Assemble agents from trigger → LLM → tool nodes with function calling enabled
• •Scope agent autonomy tightly via system prompts to prevent hallucinations
• •Migrate to custom stacks when you need real-time turn-taking, eval loops, or audit trails

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.