This article provides a complete, practical walkthrough of the Manual Hackernews Create Triggered n8n agent. It connects HTTP Request, Webhook across approximately 1 node(s). Expect a Intermediate setup in 15-45 minutes. One‑time purchase: €29.

What This Agent Does

This agent orchestrates a reliable automation between HTTP Request, Webhook, handling triggers, data enrichment, and delivery with guardrails for errors and rate limits.

It streamlines multi‑step processes that would otherwise require manual exports, spreadsheet cleanup, and repeated API requests. By centralizing logic in n8n, it reduces context switching, lowers error rates, and ensures consistent results across teams.

Typical outcomes include faster lead handoffs, automated notifications, accurate data synchronization, and better visibility via execution logs and optional Slack/Email alerts.

How It Works

The workflow uses standard n8n building blocks like Webhook or Schedule triggers, HTTP Request for API calls, and control nodes (IF, Merge, Set) to validate inputs, branch on conditions, and format outputs. Retries and timeouts improve resilience, while credentials keep secrets safe.

Third‑Party Integrations

• HTTP Request
• Webhook

Import and Use in n8n

1. Open n8n and create a new workflow or collection.
2. Choose Import from File or Paste JSON.
3. Paste the JSON below, then click Import.
4. Show n8n JSON

   Title:  
   Automating Hacker News Updates with n8n: A Simple Workflow for Real-Time Insights
   
   Meta Description:  
   Learn how to automate the retrieval of top stories from Hacker News using a simple n8n workflow. Perfect for developers, data analysts, and tech enthusiasts interested in real-time content delivery.
   
   Keywords:  
   n8n, automation, Hacker News, API integration, no-code, workflow automation, data fetching, tech news, developer tools, real-time data
   
   Third-Party APIs Used:  
   - Hacker News API
   
   Article:
   
   In today’s fast-moving tech ecosystem, staying updated with the latest news is vital for developers, entrepreneurs, and researchers. While you could manually browse sites like Hacker News several times a day, there’s a better way—automation. With platforms like n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”), you can streamline this task without writing a single line of backend code.
   
   In this article, we’ll walk you through a lightweight yet powerful n8n workflow designed to pull fresh headlines from Hacker News with a single click. Whether you're building a daily newsletter, a custom dashboard, or a personal notification system, this workflow gets you the data you need in real-time.
   
   🚀 What Is n8n?
   
   n8n is a powerful, open-source workflow automation tool that allows users to connect various services and automate tasks or data flows between them. You can think of it as Zapier or Integromat—but open-source and extensible. Whether you're an experienced developer or someone new to automation, n8n helps you build complex workflows visually.
   
   🛠️ Understanding the Workflow
   
   This particular n8n workflow consists of just two nodes:
   
   1. Manual Trigger Node ("On clicking 'execute'")
   2. Hacker News Node ("Hacker News")
   
   Let’s break down how each component works and what roles they play in the automation:
   
   🟢 Manual Trigger Node: Hands-On Activation
   
   The workflow begins with the Manual Trigger node. This node enables users to trigger the workflow manually from the n8n interface. It’s a great way to test workflows or run them on-demand without scheduling or relying on external input.
   
   In our case, clicking “Execute Workflow” initiates the process of data retrieval from Hacker News.
   
   🟠 Hacker News Node: Tapping into Tech Buzz
   
   The second node in the sequence is the Hacker News integration. Configured to retrieve stories from the "all" resource (which includes top, new, best, and ask posts), this node connects directly to the Hacker News public API.
   
   Here’s what it does:
   - Fetches a curated list of stories across multiple categories on Hacker News.
   - Returns essential data fields such as title, URL, score, and author.
   - Provides a foundation for downstream applications—such as notifications, dashboards, or data analysis.
   
   Because n8n handles JSON-formatted data with ease, each story becomes a structured item you can pass into additional nodes: filter by score, send to Slack, log in Airtable, or even generate a daily digest email.
   
   📦 Real-World Use Cases
   
   While this workflow only fetches the data, it’s easy to expand with n8n’s flexible ecosystem of 350+ nodes. Here are a few creative applications you might try building from here:
   
   - Send top HN stories to your Slack or Discord channel every morning.
   - Filter for stories with high scores and store them in Notion or Google Sheets.
   - Set up keyword-based alerts (e.g., stories that mention “AI” or “Elon Musk”).
   - Display top HN posts on a personal dashboard built with Bubble, Retool, or a static site.
   
   🙌 Why Use n8n for This?
   
   Automation tools like n8n are transforming how we interact with APIs and third-party services. Why write multiple scripts or use curl when you can set up a drag-and-drop workflow that scales? With built-in version control, team collaboration, and support for webhooks, n8n puts powerful automation in your hands—no DevOps needed.
   
   Here's what makes n8n a strong choice for this task:
   - Visual workflow builder for easy setup and visualization.
   - Open-source platform you can self-host with full control.
   - Built-in integrations with thousands of APIs, including Hacker News.
   - Scalable for both personal and enterprise uses.
   
   📈 Next Steps
   
   Now that you’ve built the base layer, why not take it further? Explore adding conditions, scheduling this workflow to run hourly, or syncing the feed with a content curation newsletter. The possibilities are vast, and the learning curve is gentle.
   
   If you're interested in automating your digital life, n8n is the tool that helps you do more with fewer manual steps—while giving you full control over your data and processes.
   
   📚 Resources & Links
   
   - n8n documentation: https://docs.n8n.io
   - Hacker News API documentation: https://github.com/HackerNews/API
   - Community forum for n8n: https://community.n8n.io
   
   🔥 Final Thoughts
   
   This n8n example may be simple, but its potential impact is wide-reaching. By connecting a Manual Trigger node to the Hacker News API, you create a reusable, expandable setup that enhances your productivity and helps you stay ahead in the tech world.
   
   Harness the power of automation with n8n—and let the breaking news come to you.
   
   — Written by Your AI Automation Assistant 🧠✨

5. Set credentials for each API node (keys, OAuth) in Credentials.
6. Run a test via Execute Workflow. Inspect Run Data, then adjust parameters.
7. Enable the workflow to run on schedule, webhook, or triggers as configured.

Tips: keep secrets in credentials, add retries and timeouts on HTTP nodes, implement error notifications, and paginate large API fetches.

Validation: use IF/Code nodes to sanitize inputs and guard against empty payloads.

Why Automate This with AI Agents

AI‑assisted automations offload repetitive, error‑prone tasks to a predictable workflow. Instead of manual copy‑paste and ad‑hoc scripts, your team gets a governed pipeline with versioned state, auditability, and observable runs.

n8n’s node graph makes data flow transparent while AI‑powered enrichment (classification, extraction, summarization) boosts throughput and consistency. Teams reclaim time, reduce operational costs, and standardize best practices without sacrificing flexibility.

Compared to one‑off integrations, an AI agent is easier to extend: swap APIs, add filters, or bolt on notifications without rewriting everything. You get reliability, control, and a faster path from idea to production.

Best Practices

• Credentials: restrict scopes and rotate tokens regularly.
• Resilience: configure retries, timeouts, and backoff for API nodes.
• Data Quality: validate inputs; normalize fields early to reduce downstream branching.
• Performance: batch records and paginate for large datasets.
• Observability: add failure alerts (Email/Slack) and persistent logs for auditing.
• Security: avoid sensitive data in logs; use environment variables and n8n credentials.

FAQs

Can I swap integrations later? Yes. Replace or add nodes and re‑map fields without rebuilding the whole flow.

How do I monitor failures? Use Execution logs and add notifications on the Error Trigger path.

Does it scale? Use queues, batching, and sub‑workflows to split responsibilities and control load.

Is my data safe? Keep secrets in Credentials, restrict token scopes, and review access logs.