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Why I stopped using n8n and wrote my own automation in Python
I’ve spent the last few years wrestling with automation, and let me tell you, the feeling of finally getting a complex workflow to just work is incredible. I’ve tried a lot of tools – Zapier, Make, and, for a while, n8n. n8n was great, genuinely. But lately, it’s started feeling… restrictive. Like a beautifully designed box that held back what I really needed. This led me down a different path, and I wanted to share why I’ve moved to building my own automation workflows in Python, and why you might consider doing the same.
The n8n Problem: Flexibility vs. Control
n8n is fantastic for rapid prototyping and connecting a lot of different services. The visual interface is powerful. However, as my needs became more specific – particularly around data transformation and complex conditional logic – I hit a wall. n8n’s node ecosystem, while extensive, often felt like a compromise. I needed tighter control over the execution, and the ability to inject highly customized logic without relying on pre-built nodes. The pricing also became a factor as my workflows grew in complexity.
Building a Simple Python Automation
Here's a basic example of a Python script that checks for new files in a directory and sends a notification via email. This is a simplified version, but it illustrates the core concept:
import os
import smtplib
from email.mime.text import MIMEText
import time
def check_for_new_files(directory):
for filename in os.listdir(directory):
if filename.endswith(".txt"):
print(f"New file found: {filename}")
send_email(filename)
def send_email(filename):
sender_email = "your_email@example.com"
receiver_email = "recipient@example.com"
password = "your_email_password" NEVER hardcode in production!
message = MIMEText(f"A new file '{filename}' has been added to {directory}")
message['Subject'] = f"New File Alert - {filename}"
message['From'] = sender_email
message['To'] = receiver_email
try:
with smtplib.SMTP_SSL('smtp.gmail.com', 465) as server:
server.login(sender_email, password)
server.sendmail(sender_email, receiver_email, message.as_string())
print("Email sent successfully!")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error sending email: {e}")
if name == "main":
directory_to_watch = "/path/to/your/directory"
while True:
check_for_new_files(directory_to_watch)
time.sleep(60) Check every 60 seconds
Let's break down a few key lines:
- `os.listdir(directory)`: Lists all files and directories within the specified directory.
- `filename.endswith(".txt")`: Filters for files ending with ".txt".
- `smtplib.SMTP_SSL`: Establishes a secure connection to the Gmail SMTP server.
- `server.sendmail()`: Sends the email.
Practical Results & Control
This simple script, running on a small server, gave me complete control. I could easily add more sophisticated logic, handle errors gracefully, and integrate it seamlessly with other Python scripts. The execution time was predictable, and I wasn’t reliant on n8n’s node performance. It’s also far more cost-effective for complex, long-running automation.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Building your own automation workflows in Python might seem daunting at first, but the flexibility and control it offers are invaluable. It’s about taking ownership of your processes and tailoring them precisely to your needs. If you're struggling with the limitations of existing automation platforms, or just want a deeper understanding of how things work, I'd love to help. Schedule a consultation today and let's discuss how we can streamline your workflows and boost your efficiency.
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