Automation library · Data collection

Retry flaky HTTP calls with Gemini and Google Sheets

Started by a clock, and works across Google Sheets. It hands the judgement calls to Gemini. 17 steps, 2 branches, 1 loop or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

MediumCalls a model: Gemini

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17 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
2Branches: places the flow splits
1Loop or waits
1Service it connects to

The flow

Starts it 2Model 3Logic 8Service 4

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

  1. 1Called by Another WorkflowExecute Workflow triggerStarts it
  2. 2Nightly Dead Letter SweepSchedule triggerStarts it
  3. 3Gemini for TriageLm Chat Google GeminiModel
  4. 4Triage SchemaOutput Parser StructuredModel
  5. 5Start the Attempt CounterCodeLogic
  6. 6Load the Dead Letter RegisterGoogle SheetsService
  7. 7Triage the FailureChain LlmModel
  8. 8Call the ServiceHttp RequestService
  9. 9Pick What Is Worth Another TryCodeLogic
  10. 10Count It and DecideCodeLogic
  11. 11Report SuccessCodeLogic
  12. 12Retry or Give UpSwitchLogic
  13. 13Was This a ReplayIfLogic
  14. 14Wait Out the BackoffWaitLogic
  15. 15File It in the Dead Letter RegisterGoogle SheetsService
  16. 16Close It in the RegisterGoogle SheetsService
  17. 17Answer the CallerCodeLogic

How it's built

Starts on
A clock
Steps
17, with 2 branches, 1 loop or waits
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Google Sheets
Model
Gemini

Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Sheets account, and a key for Gemini. 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 Gemini. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 17 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 17 steps before you point it at anything that matters.