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Build an AI Chatbot with Chat Trigger

Difficulty
2/10
Tags
EssentialsChat TriggerOpenAI
Requirements
OpenAI API key

You will create a chatbot that responds like Yoda from Star Wars.

The Chat Trigger node creates a chat interface that you can test locally or share publicly. Combined with OpenAI and a system prompt, you can give your chatbot any personality. Once your workflow is ready, enable "Make Chat Publicly Available" in the Chat Trigger settings to get a shareable URL.

What you'll practice:

  • Using the Chat Trigger node to create a chat interface
  • Configuring the Chat Trigger response mode for custom responses
  • Adding a system prompt to OpenAI to shape the AI's personality
  • Using Respond to Chat to send replies back to the user

Your Task

  1. 1Copy the exercise below
  2. 2Paste into your n8n editor (Ctrl+V)
  3. 3Solve it — use hints if you get stuck
  4. 4Check the solution when done

Build a chatbot that responds like Yoda:

  1. Add a Chat Trigger node and configure it to use response nodes
  2. Connect an OpenAI node with a system prompt that makes it talk like Yoda
  3. Add a Respond to Chat node to send the AI's response back

Test your chatbot by clicking "Open Chat" and asking a question. If it responds with inverted sentences like "Help you, I can", you have succeeded.

Get the exercise workflow

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Hints

  1. Add a Chat Trigger node. In its settings, change Response Mode to "Using Response Nodes"
  2. Add an OpenAI node (search for "OpenAI"). Set Resource to Text, Operation to Message a Model
  3. In the OpenAI node, add a message with Role "System" containing your Yoda personality prompt
  4. Add a second message with Role "User" and content
  5. Add a Respond to Chat node and set Message to
  6. Connect all three nodes and click "Open Chat" to test

Explanation

The Chat Trigger + OpenAI + Respond to Chat pattern is the foundation for building conversational AI in n8n. The key insight is setting the Chat Trigger's Response Mode to "Using Response Nodes", which tells n8n to wait for your Respond to Chat node instead of auto-responding with the last node's output. The system prompt shapes the AI's personality without changing the underlying model.

You can also customize the Initial Message in the Chat Trigger settings to greet users in character. For example: "Greetings, young one. Help you, I can."

Copy the Solution

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