Dispatch: Our "n8n-First" Strategy for Intelligent Automation
At Blackbelt Labs, our ability to deliver powerful, governed, and intelligent workflows for our clients is paramount. For years, platforms like Zapier, Pipedream, and Airtable have been the bedrock of our automation services. They are phenomenal tools that democratized automation, and our deep expertise with them—including building numerous custom Zapier integrations—remains a core part of our offering.
However, as an AI-first agency, the complexity and intelligence required by modern workflows demand a new layer of power. We needed a platform that could serve as the default engine for our most ambitious projects—one with a developer-first mindset, deep AI integration, and limitless flexibility.
After an extensive deep dive, we are formalizing our tiered approach to automation by adopting n8n as our new default platform.
Why n8n is Our New Default
For any new workflow, we now start with n8n. It provides the power and control needed for the sophisticated systems we build today. Here’s why it earned its place as our primary tool:
1. A Developer-First Foundation: Workflows as Code
While visual builders are great, professional workflows demand professional tooling. n8n's core strength is that every workflow is fundamentally JSON. This means we can:
- Version Control: Store our workflows in Git, track every change, and collaborate with confidence.
- Copy & De-construct: Simply copy a node or an entire workflow to get its JSON representation. This makes debugging, sharing, and programmatically generating workflows incredibly efficient.
- Reuse & Abstract: Treat workflows like code modules, building a library of reusable components for our client projects.
2. Native AI Agent & Tool Integration
The future of automation is intelligent. n8n's native support for AI Agent nodes allows us to seamlessly connect large language models to a set of "tools" (our other nodes). This makes building complex, multi-step reasoning chains—where an AI can decide which API to call based on a user's request—radically simpler.
3. Future-Proofing with the Model Context Protocol (MCP)
Interoperability is key. n8n's early and robust support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) ensures that the systems we create are future-proof and can easily integrate with the broader AI ecosystem. We can even expose our n8n workflows as MCP servers, turning a complex process into a standardized, plug-and-play AI tool.
4. From Workflow to API in Seconds
n8n's "Respond to Webhook" node is a game-changer. It allows a workflow to function as a lightweight, serverless API endpoint, enabling us to spin up internal microservices and data processors in minutes.
5. Control and Flexibility with Self-Hosting
The ability to self-host is critical for client data privacy and security. We were able to get a production-ready n8n instance running on Render.com in under 30 minutes, giving us and our clients complete control.
The Right Tool for the Job: Our Tiered Automation Stack
An "n8n-first" approach doesn't mean "n8n-only." Our expertise lies in choosing the right tool for the specific challenge. Our strategy is now tiered:
- Tier 1 (Default): n8n. For all new complex, mission-critical, or AI-driven workflows that require power, governance, and flexibility.
- Tier 2 (Broad Integration & Legacy): Zapier. When a project requires an immediate integration with an app that only Zapier supports, or when a simpler, linear workflow is sufficient. We will continue to leverage our extensive library of custom Zapier integrations, often triggering them via webhooks from n8n to get the best of both worlds.
- Tier 3 (Ultimate Power): Custom APIs. When a workflow demands unparalleled performance, unique business logic, or complex state management, we fall back to what we do best: building bespoke APIs from scratch.
By adopting this tiered strategy, we ensure we are using the most effective, efficient, and appropriate solution for every client challenge, from simple connections to deeply intelligent, automated systems.