# Run a human-approved shopping assistant with OpenAI and Slack: n8n workflow

> Started by someone opening a chat with it, and works across Slack. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply...

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/run-a-human-approved-shopping-assistant-with-openai-and-slac (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

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

# Run a human-approved shopping assistant with OpenAI and Slack

Started by someone opening a chat with it, and works across Slack. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 18 steps, 3 branches, 3 loops or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI Retrieval

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Frun-a-human-approved-shopping-assistant-with-openai-and-slac)

**18 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**3** Branches: places the flow splits

**3** Loops or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 3 Logic 10 Service 3

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

- 1 **Chat Trigger - Shopping Request** Chat trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Manual Trigger - Test Run** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **HTTP Request Tool - Search Products API** Http Request Tool *Service*
- 4 **OpenAI Chat Model** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 5 **Window Buffer Memory** Memory Buffer Window *Model*
- 6 **Set - Config** Set *Logic*
- 7 **AI Agent - Shopping Assistant** Agent *Model*
- 8 **JS - Parse Agent Output & Build Shortlist** Code *Logic*
- 9 **IF - Purchase Intent Detected** If *Logic*
- 10 **Wait - For User Product Selection** Wait *Logic*
- 11 **Set - Direct Answer Response** Set *Logic*
- 12 **IF - Selection Confirmed** If *Logic*
- 13 **Wait - For Purchase Approval** Wait *Logic*
- 14 **IF - Purchase Approved** If *Logic*
- 15 **HTTP Request - Create Order (Checkout API)** Http Request *Service*
- 16 **Wait - For Order Confirmation Webhook** Wait *Logic*
- 17 **JS - Parse Order Confirmation & Build Notification** Code *Logic*
- 18 **Slack - Notify Customer** Slack *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Someone opening a chat with it
- **Steps:** 18, with 3 branches, 3 loops or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Slack
- **Model:** OpenAI
- **Retrieval:** Answers are drawn from documents you supply, not from the model alone

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Slack account, and a key for OpenAI. 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 OpenAI. Its answers draw on documents you give it, not on the model alone. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 18 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 18 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%2Frun-a-human-approved-shopping-assistant-with-openai-and-slac)
- **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.

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

## Workflows like it

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

- [**AI Event Feedback Analyzer with Google Forms and OpenAI** 18 steps · calls a model · Google Docs, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-event-feedback-analyzer-with-google-forms-and-openai)
- [**Detect AWS cost spikes and open Terraform fix PRs with OpenAI** 18 steps · calls a model · Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/detect-aws-cost-spikes-and-open-terraform-fix-prs-with-opena)
- [**Detect missing alcohol test records with Gemini and Gmail** 18 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/detect-missing-alcohol-test-records-with-gemini-and-gmail)
- [**Generate Seedance AI lighting look dev variations with Drive** 18 steps · calls a model · Google Drive, Notion](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-seedance-ai-lighting-look-dev-variations-with-drive)
- [**Generate multi-channel release notes from ClickUp tasks** 18 steps · calls a model · ClickUp, Gmail](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-multi-channel-release-notes-from-clickup-tasks)
- [**Optimize maritime routes and disruption response with OpenAI** 18 steps · calls a model · Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/optimize-maritime-routes-and-disruption-response-with-openai)