Towards code automation n8, Elixir, MCP, AshAI, OpenFn

[ndrean]

Starting to collect notes on n8n related stuff (https://n8n.io/features/) but with Elixir in mind.

• Source 1: https://folderit.net/how-elixir-helped-us-integrate-ai-agents-at-lightning-speed/)

• Source 2= https://flaviuspopan.com/automate-the-boring-stuff-with-elixir/

Uses https://ash-ai.hexdocs.pm/readme.html
and https://reactor.hexdocs.pm/ecosystem.html

[ndrean]

OpenFn

Whilst n8n is visual no-code, another workflow engine is OpenFn, developper centric, version controlled, for more for high compliance. It also comes with pre-built integrations (Adaptors).

OpenFn uses JavaScript (NodeJS interpreter) and a DSL It uses functional programming principles. Then the web interfaceOpenFn/Lightning is Elixir Phoenix used as the orchestrator.

[ NocoDB Webhook ] 
       │
       ▼
 1. OpenFn/Lightning (Elixir Web App)
    ├── Receives the payload.
    ├── Fetches JS script and encrypted credentials from Postgres.
    └── Packages them into a "Workload".
       │
       ▼  (Dispatched internally)
 2. OpenFn/RTM (Node.js Microservice Worker)
    ├── Spins up a secure, isolated JavaScript sandbox.
    ├── Loads the specific Adaptor npm package (e.g., HTTP or Postgres).
    ├── Executes JS job using the payload data.
    └── Captures stdout logs and the final result.
       │
       ▼  (Streams back via WebSockets)
 3. OpenFn/Lightning UI
    └── Saves the execution history to Postgres and streams logs to your screen.

- Youtube link

[ndrean]

Simpler alternative no-code and/or low-code. 3 containers: Activepiece + Redis + Postgres