In n8n, add an OpenAI step to your workflow and create a credential using your OpenAI API key. Then decide what will trigger it (a webhook, Gmail, a form, or a schedule) and what you want back (a summary, a draft, extracted fields). Test with one real example so the prompt matches your tone and formatting. Finally, send the result to your destination app like Slack, Notion, or Google Sheets and turn the workflow on.

A lot—frankly, anything that’s text-heavy and repetitive.

Yes. You will need an OpenAI account with API access so n8n can call the models securely. Most workflows require an API key, not just a ChatGPT login. Once you add the key in n8n credentials, you can reuse it across multiple workflows. If you’re working in a team, set up billing and key management early so automations don’t break later.

Common use cases include summarizing Gmail threads, drafting support responses, tagging inbound leads, extracting fields from messy text, and turning meeting notes into Notion pages. Limitations usually come from inputs, not the model: unclear prompts, missing context, or inconsistent source data. You should also plan for rate limits and costs when volume spikes. And for sensitive data, avoid sending anything you shouldn’t share; use redaction steps and keep logs minimal where possible.