# Process multiple requests in FIFO with OpenAI Batch API: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Postgres and Supabase. 16 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/process-multiple-requests-in-fifo-with-openai-batch-api (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

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

# Process multiple requests in FIFO with OpenAI Batch API

Started by a clock, and works across Postgres and Supabase. 16 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fprocess-multiple-requests-in-fifo-with-openai-batch-api)

**16 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Logic 5 Service 9

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

- 1 **Start (mock data)** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Cron Job (5 mins)** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Convert to batch requests in.jsonl** Code *Logic*
- 4 **Get the earliest uncompleted batch** Postgres *Service*
- 5 **Call Files API** Http Request *Service*
- 6 **Call Batch API to retrieve batch object** Http Request *Service*
- 7 **Call Batch API** Http Request *Service*
- 8 **If status = completed** If *Logic*
- 9 **Create a row in batch table** Supabase *Service*
- 10 **Download.jsonl result** Http Request *Service*
- 11 **Update status** Supabase *Service*
- 12 **Submission done** No Op *Logic*
- 13 **.jsonl to base64** Extract From File *Service*
- 14 **Decode base64** Code *Logic*
- 15 **Update status and result** Supabase *Service*
- 16 **Retrieval done** No Op *Logic*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 16, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Postgres, Supabase
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Postgres and Supabase accounts. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

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. 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.

## 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%2Fprocess-multiple-requests-in-fifo-with-openai-batch-api)
- **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.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Postgres](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Postgres#library)[Supabase](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Supabase#library)

## Workflows like it

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

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- [**WhatsApp product catalog bot with Postgres** 16 steps · Postgres, WhatsApp](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/whatsapp-product-catalog-bot-with-postgres)
- [**Query your PostgreSQL data in plain English with OpenAI** 16 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets, Postgres](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/query-your-postgresql-data-in-plain-english-with-openai)
- [**Send post-purchase emails from Postgres with Gmail and Groq AI** 16 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Postgres](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/send-post-purchase-emails-from-postgres-with-gmail-and-groq-)
- [**"Generate AI Blog Posts from Queued Topics with Gemini** 15 steps · Supabase](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-ai-blog-posts-from-queued-topics-with-gemini)
- [**Route human-in-the-loop approval requests with Slack** 17 steps · Postgres, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/route-human-in-the-loop-approval-requests-with-slack)