# Private & local Ollama self-hosted AI assistant: n8n workflow

> Started by someone opening a chat with it. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors. It hands the judgement calls to a local model.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/private-and-local-ollama-self-hosted-ai-assistant (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [AI assistants](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=AI+assistants#library)

# Private & local Ollama self-hosted AI assistant

Started by someone opening a chat with it. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors. It hands the judgement calls to a local model. 6 steps: small enough to read in one sitting and change without fear.

Small Calls a model: a local model

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fprivate-and-local-ollama-self-hosted-ai-assistant)

**6 steps** Small: readable in one sitting

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**0** Services by connector: it calls them over plain HTTP

## The flow

Starts it 1 Model 2 Logic 3

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

- 1 **When chat message received** Chat trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Ollama Model** Lm Ollama *Model*
- 3 **Basic LLM Chain** Chain Llm *Model*
- 4 **JSON to Object** Set *Logic*
- 5 **Error Response** Set *Logic*
- 6 **Structured Response** Set *Logic*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Someone opening a chat with it
- **Steps:** 6
- **Size:** Small: readable in one sitting
- **Connects to:** Nothing by connector; it calls services over plain HTTP
- **Model:** a local model

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, and a key for a local model. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on someone opening a chat with it.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls a local model. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Not long. At 6 steps it can be read in one sitting and changed without fear.

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 6 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fprivate-and-local-ollama-self-hosted-ai-assistant)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Workflows like it

Also ai assistants, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**AI Chatbot Agent with InfraNodus GraphRAG Knowledge** 6 steps · calls a model](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-chatbot-agent-with-infranodus-graphrag-knowledge)
- [**AI Prompt Maker with Gemini** 6 steps · calls a model](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-prompt-maker-with-gemini)
- [**AI agent for Instagram DM/inbox. Manychat + Open AI integration** 6 steps · calls a model](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-agent-for-instagram-dm-inbox-manychat-open-ai-integration)
- [**AI agent for Instagram DM_inbox. Manychat + Open AI integration** 6 steps · calls a model](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-agent-for-instagram-dm-inbox-manychat-open-ai-integration-2)
- [**AI agent with Ollama** 6 steps · calls a model](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-agent-with-ollama)
- [**AI chatbot that can search the web with OpenAI** 6 steps · calls a model](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-chatbot-that-can-search-the-web-with-openai)