Automation library · Alerts and monitoring

IoT sensor monitoring with OpenAI and MQTT

Started by a clock, and works across Gmail, Google Sheets and Slack. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 16 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

MediumCalls a model: OpenAI

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16 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
1Branch: places the flow splits
0Loops or waits
3Services it connects to

The flow

Starts it 2Model 2Logic 7Service 5

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

  1. 1MQTT Sensor TriggerMqtt triggerStarts it
  2. 2Batch Process ScheduleSchedule triggerStarts it
  3. 3OpenAI Chat ModelLm Chat Open AiModel
  4. 4Merge TriggersMergeLogic
  5. 5AI Anomaly DetectorAgentModel
  6. 6Define Sensor ThresholdsSetLogic
  7. 7Parse AI AnalysisCodeLogic
  8. 8Parse Sensor PayloadCodeLogic
  9. 9Route by SeveritySwitchLogic
  10. 10Generate Data FingerprintCryptoService
  11. 11Send Critical EmailGmailService
  12. 12Slack Critical AlertSlackService
  13. 13Slack Warning AlertSlackService
  14. 14Merge Alert OutputsMergeLogic
  15. 15Remove Duplicate ReadingsRemove DuplicatesLogic
  16. 16Archive to Google SheetsGoogle SheetsService

How it's built

Starts on
A clock
Steps
16, with 1 branch
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Gmail, Google Sheets, Slack
Model
OpenAI

Questions

What does it need to run?

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

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 16 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 16 steps before you point it at anything that matters.