# Retry flaky HTTP calls with Gemini and Google Sheets: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Google Sheets. It hands the judgement calls to Gemini.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/retry-flaky-http-calls-with-gemini-and-google-sheets (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

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

# 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.

Medium Calls a model: Gemini

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fretry-flaky-http-calls-with-gemini-and-google-sheets)

**17 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**2** Branches: places the flow splits

**1** Loop or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 3 Logic 8 Service 4

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

- 1 **Called by Another Workflow** Execute Workflow trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Nightly Dead Letter Sweep** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Gemini for Triage** Lm Chat Google Gemini *Model*
- 4 **Triage Schema** Output Parser Structured *Model*
- 5 **Start the Attempt Counter** Code *Logic*
- 6 **Load the Dead Letter Register** Google Sheets *Service*
- 7 **Triage the Failure** Chain Llm *Model*
- 8 **Call the Service** Http Request *Service*
- 9 **Pick What Is Worth Another Try** Code *Logic*
- 10 **Count It and Decide** Code *Logic*
- 11 **Report Success** Code *Logic*
- 12 **Retry or Give Up** Switch *Logic*
- 13 **Was This a Replay** If *Logic*
- 14 **Wait Out the Backoff** Wait *Logic*
- 15 **File It in the Dead Letter Register** Google Sheets *Service*
- 16 **Close It in the Register** Google Sheets *Service*
- 17 **Answer the Caller** Code *Logic*

## 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.

## 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%2Fretry-flaky-http-calls-with-gemini-and-google-sheets)
- **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.

[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)

## Workflows like it

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

- [**AI Auto-Reply for Missed Customer Emails with Gmail and OpenAI** 17 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-auto-reply-for-missed-customer-emails-with-gmail-and-open)
- [**Approve detention charge disputes with OpenAI and Gmail** 17 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/approve-detention-charge-disputes-with-openai-and-gmail)
- [**Automate LinkedIn job search and applications with Claude** 17 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-linkedin-job-search-and-applications-with-claude)
- [**Automated Facebook message response with OpenAI and Airtable** 17 steps · calls a model · Airtable, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-facebook-message-response-with-openai-and-airtable)
- [**Build an AI-powered employee recognition system with OpenAI** 17 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-an-ai-powered-employee-recognition-system-with-openai)
- [**Classify QA/QC compliance issues with Gemini and GitHub** 17 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/classify-qa-qc-compliance-issues-with-gemini-and-github)