OpenClaw + n8n. This is an extremely powerful combination.
People thought OpenClaw (or Claude Code) would replace n8n, but here's what they're missing.
n8n - as an application layer between the agent and the tool - still makes perfect sense for at least 3 reasons.
1️⃣ Observability
OpenClaw can write its own skills. But instead of letting it script away, ask it to create n8n workflows for itself to use.
It is much easier for you to investigate and see what the agent built for itself in n8n, rather than looking through 100 ugly written JavaScripts.
2️⃣ Security
After the agent is done creating its n8n workflow, you can lock in place. Making it read-only from that point.
Instead of adding API keys to .env.local for the agent to use (and abuse) in any way it likes, you can now add the credentials securely to n8n.
From here, you can also easily add any additional safeguarding step, making sure your agent doesn't make a mess by mistake.
3️⃣ Performance
An agent adds value when it needs to make decisions. But a lot of work is still predictable and deterministic.
Turn it into a workflow. It's faster and you save tokens.
🔁 The flow
- The agent needs access to an API. - It writes an n8n workflow with incoming webhook. - You lock the workflow and add the API key. - You add extra safeguarding steps.
The agent now proxies all calls through n8n. It never sees the API key. It's prevented from making crucial mistakes.
I know... It feels addictive to let OpenClaw do everything.
I'm trying my best not to hype AI. But it's just one of those moments!
Last week, I installed OpenClaw - and it's taking over my life.
I spent most of 2025 stitching together AI tools.
- n8n - TypingMind - OpenAI - ...a lot of duct tape
And this project is EXACTLY what I was trying to achieve.
OpenClaw now runs on a VPS with Hetzner. Connected to my personal Discord server.
It has access to everything it needs. Calendar, Todoist, Notion, Whoop, Aidbase, and much more...
It even uses the browser very intuitively, so it can find contractors on Upwork and YTJobs when it realizes its limitations as an AI.
- It runs in the background 24/7. - It's taking initiative and checking in with me. - It creates its own skills and tools when needed.
It TRULY feels autonomous. We're getting there 💪
---
⚠️ A few important caveats!
- Security! This agent is autonomous. It can ruin your life if you let it. Use with utmost care. Run in a sandbox first, on a separate device, with limited internet connection, and very gradually introduce privileges.
- Cost! For me, it only truly works well with Claude Opus 4.5. And it's very expensive. If you use "dumber" models, you'll likely get a very limited experience.
You think the "ChatGPT SaaS wrapper" opportunity is gone?
Well, I don't disagree...
But that's because you're looking in the same place as everyone else.
You're not limited to OpenAI!
Replicate and HuggingFace have millions of niche models built for specific problems.
That's where the opportunities are!
Here's my 3-step approach:
1) Find a unique problem Identify a narrow use case with clear inputs/outputs. Don't start with a model. Start with the job to be done.
2) Pick and deploy the right model - Replicate: browse official models, push your own, and get predictable pricing.
- HuggingFace: search 1M+ open models and Spaces. If it's not on Replicate, it's probably here.
3) Ship the app fast - Lovable: build the UI and glue the API. - VS Code + Cline + Claude Code: iterate, refine, and scale your product.
Simple stack. Specific problem. Real value.
Let me show you 👇
Ps. If you liked this post, you'll enjoy my weekly SaaS newsletter.
Join 30K+ SaaS founders, indie hackers, and entrepreneurs. Lightweight, easy-read tips on SaaS, product, and growth - directly to your inbox every week.
Every business should have a front-facing AI Agent.
An AI representative - always available to answer questions from your clients, users, and audience.
It might seem cutting edge today. But very soon, it's expected.
Here's how you can create one:
🔹 Create an Aidbase account. 🔹 Upload your knowledge. 🔹 Train a custom AI model. 🔹 Configure an AI chatbot. 🔹 Build the UI (using assistant-ui). 🔹 Deploy on your website. 🔹 Correct and refine.
Let me show you a detailed step-by-step below 👇
Aidbase is the #1 tool that provides both a UI-based RAG as well as tooling for ongoing corrections and re-training of your models.
You can get lifetime access to Aidbase (+4 other tools) for a single one-time purchase.
Simon Høiberg
OpenClaw + n8n.
This is an extremely powerful combination.
People thought OpenClaw (or Claude Code) would replace n8n, but here's what they're missing.
n8n - as an application layer between the agent and the tool - still makes perfect sense for at least 3 reasons.
1️⃣ Observability
OpenClaw can write its own skills.
But instead of letting it script away, ask it to create n8n workflows for itself to use.
It is much easier for you to investigate and see what the agent built for itself in n8n, rather than looking through 100 ugly written JavaScripts.
2️⃣ Security
After the agent is done creating its n8n workflow, you can lock in place. Making it read-only from that point.
Instead of adding API keys to .env.local for the agent to use (and abuse) in any way it likes, you can now add the credentials securely to n8n.
From here, you can also easily add any additional safeguarding step, making sure your agent doesn't make a mess by mistake.
3️⃣ Performance
An agent adds value when it needs to make decisions.
But a lot of work is still predictable and deterministic.
Turn it into a workflow.
It's faster and you save tokens.
🔁 The flow
- The agent needs access to an API.
- It writes an n8n workflow with incoming webhook.
- You lock the workflow and add the API key.
- You add extra safeguarding steps.
The agent now proxies all calls through n8n.
It never sees the API key.
It's prevented from making crucial mistakes.
I know... It feels addictive to let OpenClaw do everything.
But this thing is a beast!
Use it responsibly.
1 day ago | [YT] | 255
View 4 replies
Simon Høiberg
I'm trying my best not to hype AI.
But it's just one of those moments!
Last week, I installed OpenClaw - and it's taking over my life.
I spent most of 2025 stitching together AI tools.
- n8n
- TypingMind
- OpenAI
- ...a lot of duct tape
And this project is EXACTLY what I was trying to achieve.
OpenClaw now runs on a VPS with Hetzner.
Connected to my personal Discord server.
It has access to everything it needs.
Calendar, Todoist, Notion, Whoop, Aidbase, and much more...
It even uses the browser very intuitively, so it can find contractors on Upwork and YTJobs when it realizes its limitations as an AI.
- It runs in the background 24/7.
- It's taking initiative and checking in with me.
- It creates its own skills and tools when needed.
It TRULY feels autonomous.
We're getting there 💪
---
⚠️ A few important caveats!
- Security! This agent is autonomous. It can ruin your life if you let it. Use with utmost care. Run in a sandbox first, on a separate device, with limited internet connection, and very gradually introduce privileges.
- Cost! For me, it only truly works well with Claude Opus 4.5. And it's very expensive. If you use "dumber" models, you'll likely get a very limited experience.
1 week ago | [YT] | 263
View 9 replies
Simon Høiberg
Running a lean, bootstrapped (solo) business requires using a lot of tools.
But be careful.
Don't let it get out of hand.
⚠️ You want to avoid:
- High costs
- +30 open tabs
- Overlapping functionality
- Data scattered across many tools
You can fix this by grouping your tools.
✅ Self-hosted
Prefer tools you can self-host.
- They are often free.
- Data never leaves your servers.
Tools like n8n, NocoDB, and Grafana is preferred over Zapier, Airtable, and PostHog.
✅ Automation
Prefer tools where you can automate workflows.
- Can run by itself.
- Requires you to open the tool less often.
Tools like Lindy AI, n8n, and LinkDrip are tools I use heavily.
✅ API-based
Prefer tools that have APIs you can call.
- Little need to click around a UI.
- Can be integrated easily with other tools.
I use OpenAI & Replicate heavily for AI.
And I use AWS SES to send emails.
Using a chain of tools isn't in itself a problem.
But you need to set yourself up properly and stay organized.
ℹ️ Did you know? FounderStack is an ecosystem of tools that integrates seamlessly.
You get:
- Social media management
- AI support
- Link tracking
- Graphics design
- Fake account prevention
One bundle, in multiplayer mode, for a single one-time purchase.
Get it on www.founderstack.pro/
1 week ago | [YT] | 222
View 1 reply
Simon Høiberg
"Wow, this actually works. I wonder why Intercom can't pull this off"
That's what a user told me after switching from Intercom to Aidbase. This happened after Intercom's CEO announced he would invest $100M into AI.
So how can we, a small 3-man team, create better value for our users than Intercom?
It's simple.
When big companies invest, what they're actually spending money on is:
- Expensive cloud infrastructure
- Expanding their teams
- Adding more mid-level managers
- More process and bureaucracy
Instead of what really matters:
- Creating value for their users.
With a small, lean team, creating value is just one click on the green "Merge" button away.
That's why I keep betting on small teams.
1 week ago | [YT] | 217
View 8 replies
Simon Høiberg
You can block your favorite SaaS guru.
If they talk about the latest growth hacks, they do more harm than good.
If you're bootstrapping, following the wrong playbook can break your business.
It sounds smart...
But in reality, you're just wasting time.
- Stop hacking around.
- Start doing boring stuff that works.
- Put in more reps.
Here's what you wanna avoid 👇
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 254
View 6 replies
Simon Høiberg
I don't look at my code anymore.
Instead:
- I let the AI do its thing.
- I do manual QA in staging.
- I deploy to production.
Why care about "clean code" if my AI agents are the only ones reading it?
AI-assisted coding is your biggest advantage in 2026.
If you let it!
But there are a few habits you need to unlearn 👇
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 406
View 36 replies
Simon Høiberg
Imagine working a 9-5 you hate.
It's the nightmare we all want to avoid.
But what if you end up building a business you hate?
Believe it or not, this is reality for many!
They listened to the hustle gurus...
Now they have a business optimized for misery.
Or they listened to the indie hackers...
Now they have a hobby that barely makes money.
Either way is setting up for disappointment and burnout.
There is a sweet spot, though!
In this video, I cover 3 systems I use to keep my business healthy, profitable, and enjoyable at the same time 👇️
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 79
View 1 reply
Simon Høiberg
You think the "ChatGPT SaaS wrapper" opportunity is gone?
Well, I don't disagree...
But that's because you're looking in the same place as everyone else.
You're not limited to OpenAI!
Replicate and HuggingFace have millions of niche models built for specific problems.
That's where the opportunities are!
Here's my 3-step approach:
1) Find a unique problem
Identify a narrow use case with clear inputs/outputs. Don't start with a model. Start with the job to be done.
2) Pick and deploy the right model
- Replicate: browse official models, push your own, and get predictable pricing.
- HuggingFace: search 1M+ open models and Spaces. If it's not on Replicate, it's probably here.
3) Ship the app fast
- Lovable: build the UI and glue the API.
- VS Code + Cline + Claude Code: iterate, refine, and scale your product.
Simple stack.
Specific problem.
Real value.
Let me show you 👇
Ps. If you liked this post, you'll enjoy my weekly SaaS newsletter.
Join 30K+ SaaS founders, indie hackers, and entrepreneurs. Lightweight, easy-read tips on SaaS, product, and growth - directly to your inbox every week.
Join here: simonl.ink/newsletter
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 376
View 1 reply
Simon Høiberg
People don't ask for "disruption".
They want what's missing.
You'll spot it where they vent:
- 1-star reviews.
- "alternatives to…?" threads.
This is your SaaS opportunity.
Here's the loop I use:
1️⃣ Reddit
Search "alternative to …" and collect real problems.
2️⃣ G2
Sort by Lowest Rated and list what's missing.
3️⃣ GPT-5
Break the themes into clear feature sets and angles.
Then build a simple clone with the gaps filled.
Benefits of cloning over "disrupting":
- The market is already educated.
- Users understand the value.
- Positioning is straightforward.
Less flashy.
More boring.
But an actual business.
Let me show you 👇
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 386
View 7 replies
Simon Høiberg
Every business should have a front-facing AI Agent.
An AI representative - always available to answer questions from your clients, users, and audience.
It might seem cutting edge today.
But very soon, it's expected.
Here's how you can create one:
🔹 Create an Aidbase account.
🔹 Upload your knowledge.
🔹 Train a custom AI model.
🔹 Configure an AI chatbot.
🔹 Build the UI (using assistant-ui).
🔹 Deploy on your website.
🔹 Correct and refine.
Let me show you a detailed step-by-step below 👇
Aidbase is the #1 tool that provides both a UI-based RAG as well as tooling for ongoing corrections and re-training of your models.
You can get lifetime access to Aidbase (+4 other tools) for a single one-time purchase.
Get it here: www.founderstack.pro/
1 month ago | [YT] | 199
View 2 replies
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