Automation library · Data collection

Create a dead man’s switch for solo founders

Started by another system calling it, and works across Gmail and Google Sheets. 13 steps, 2 branches: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

Download free
13 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
2Branches: places the flow splits
0Loops or waits
2Services it connects to

The flow

Starts it 2Logic 5Service 6

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

  1. 1Daily Check (9 AM)Schedule triggerStarts it
  2. 2Check-in WebhookWebhookStarts it
  3. 3Read Check-in LogGoogle SheetsService
  4. 4Record Check-inGoogle SheetsService
  5. 5Calculate Hours Since Last Check-inCodeLogic
  6. 6Confirm Check-inSetLogic
  7. 7Status OK?IfLogic
  8. 8All Good - No ActionSetLogic
  9. 9Is Critical?IfLogic
  10. 10Alert Emergency Contact 1GmailService
  11. 11Send Reminder to FounderGmailService
  12. 12Alert Emergency Contact 2GmailService
  13. 13Log Alert to SheetGoogle SheetsService

How it's built

Starts on
Another system calling it
Steps
13, with 2 branches
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Gmail, Google Sheets
Model
None. This is plumbing, not judgement

Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Gmail and Google Sheets accounts. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on another system calling it.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 13 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

Before you run it

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 13 steps before you point it at anything that matters.