How To Run DeepSeek With n8n

If you're exploring powerful AI models for coding, research, or natural language tasks and want to integrate them into your automation workflows, DeepSeek is a model worth adding to your toolkit. In this guide, you'll learn how to run DeepSeek with n8n, the open-source workflow automation tool trusted by developers and non-coders alike.

Whether you're building an AI assistant, an auto-coding agent, or simply want to pipe DeepSeek's intelligence into Google Sheets or Notion, this guide walks you through the setup with examples, step-by-step instructions, and best practices.

What is DeepSeek?

DeepSeek is a family of open-source, high-performance AI models optimized for coding and natural language understanding. Similar to models like GPT and LLaMA, DeepSeek provides large language model capabilities with support for context-based reasoning and response generation.

Some use cases for DeepSeek include:

• Code generation and review automation
• Research assistants that process large documentation
• Language-based data extraction or transformation
• AI agents in developer assistant tools

Thanks to its open accessibility and powerful capabilities, many automation builders are looking to pair DeepSeek with platforms like n8n to create AI-driven workflows.

Why Run DeepSeek with n8n?

n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is a fair-code automation platform that allows you to build complex workflows through drag-and-drop nodes. By connecting n8n to DeepSeek, you can automate decision-making, code analysis, content generation, or even run autonomous AI agents.

Benefits of using n8n with DeepSeek include:

• No vendor lock-in thanks to self-hosting options
• Full data control for privacy-sensitive workloads
• Easy integration with APIs, databases, webhooks, and third-party tools
• Visual workflow editor for rapid prototyping

Let’s now dive into how to run DeepSeek with n8n.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• A running instance of n8n (local, cloud, or self-hosted)
• Access to a DeepSeek-compatible API or local model server
• A basic understanding of using HTTP Request nodes in n8n

If you haven’t installed n8n yet, check out the Install n8n on macOS: Easiest Setup for Apple Users or Self-Hosted n8n Setup guides.

Step 1: Choose How to Access DeepSeek

You have two main options to connect to DeepSeek from n8n:

Option 1: Use a Hosted API

Projects like DeepSeek Playground API or third-party APIs like Replicate may offer hosted access to DeepSeek models. Make sure the API provides:

• An endpoint that accepts prompts
• Authentication via API key or header
• JSON input/output

Option 2: Run DeepSeek Locally with Ollama

You can run DeepSeek on your own machine using tools like Ollama. This is useful if:

• You want zero ongoing cloud costs
• You need full control over prompts and usage
• Your workflow is compute-heavy

To run DeepSeek locally:

ollama run deepseek-coder

This will spin up the model and expose it via an endpoint like http://localhost:11434.

Step 2: Create Your Basic n8n Workflow

In n8n, create a new workflow and add the following nodes:

1. Trigger Node

Choose how your workflow will be triggered. Common options include:

• Webhook (for real-time AI calls from external apps)
• Cron (for periodic processing)
• Chat (if you're building a chatbot-style AI)

Here’s a detailed guide on using triggers in n8n that shows all the supported types.

2. HTTP Request Node to Call DeepSeek

Add an "HTTP Request" node to make the API call to DeepSeek.

Example Configuration for Hosted API:

• Method: POST
• URL: https://api.deepseek.com/generate
• Authentication: Header or API Key (based on the API provider)
• Body Content Type: JSON
• JSON Payload:

{
  "prompt": "Write a Python script that fetches stock market data",
  "max_tokens": 300
}

Example Configuration for Local Ollama:

• URL: http://localhost:11434/api/generate
• Body:

{
  "model": "deepseek-coder",
  "prompt": "Generate a Node.js function that sends an email",
  "stream": false
}

3. Process or Route the Response

Depending on your needs, you can use:

• A Set node to clean up the response
• A Function node to parse or format the output
• Any tool integration (e.g., Google Sheets, Notion, Slack)

For example, store DeepSeek's output in Airtable or post it to a Discord channel.

Example Use Case: Auto-Code Agent

Let’s build a practical example—a simple agent that takes user input, asks DeepSeek to generate code, and stores it in a Google Doc.

Outline:

1. HTTP Webhook Trigger to receive the code task
2. DeepSeek Request to generate the code
3. Google Docs Node to create a new document with the result

This mini-use case can be extended easily. You can add a chat interface or schedule a batch of tasks using Cron.

Optional: Add Retry & Logging

To make your workflow production-ready:

• Add a Catch/Error Node for graceful failure handling
• Use the IF Node to retry or alert on errors
• Log requests and responses using a Notion or Airtable logging system

See our Error Handling in n8n Guide for techniques to implement these patterns.

Tips for Better DeepSeek Performance

• Use system prompts to give DeepSeek better context
• Limit max_tokens to avoid timeouts or memory issues
• Stream responses only if necessary
• Cache results if you’re working with static prompts

Simple Tips Table

Scaling DeepSeek with Agents

If you're interested in taking it to the next level, you can create a fully autonomous AI agent system with n8n and DeepSeek.

For example, combine:

• A planner (e.g., ChatGPT or Claude) to deconstruct tasks
• A coder (DeepSeek)
• An evaluator (running tests or linting)

Explore this idea in detail with our guide on building a plan and execute AI agent in n8n.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to run DeepSeek with n8n opens up a world of advanced automation possibilities. From code generation to AI bots and research agents, the flexibility of n8n combined with DeepSeek's powerful reasoning makes for an unbeatable combination.

As you explore more, don’t hesitate to layer in other tools like LangChain, ElevenLabs, or JSON2Video for complete AI workflow ecosystems.

FAQ

Can I use DeepSeek for free with n8n?

Yes. If you're running DeepSeek locally via Ollama, there are no API costs. Just ensure your machine has enough specs.

What kind of prompts work best with DeepSeek?

Clear, specific tasks with enough detail. For code, add language and expected structure. For writing, include tone and context.

Is there a DeepSeek node in n8n?

Currently, there is no official node. You use the HTTP Request node to call the API or a local server.

Can DeepSeek be used in agentic workflows?

Absolutely. DeepSeek works well as a specialist “coder” agent in multi-step LLM workflows.

What’s the difference between using DeepSeek vs ChatGPT in n8n?

DeepSeek excels in code and structured tasks, while ChatGPT offers broader conversational range. Use DeepSeek when depth or accuracy in code matters most.