> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.poolside.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use Poolside models in n8n

> Add a Poolside model to n8n workflows for classification, extraction, generation, and multi-step reasoning.

Connect a Poolside model to an n8n AI Agent or chain to classify information, extract structured data, generate responses, and run multi-step workflows.

## Watch the setup video

Watch a complete setup and an example Discord moderation workflow.

<Frame>
  <iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nM4C1HYiPL8" title="Poolside with n8n Discord moderation setup video - embed" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />
</Frame>

## Prerequisites

* You run a self-hosted n8n instance. These steps use n8n's unverified community node installation flow. For availability and permissions, see [n8n community node installation](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/community-nodes/installation-and-management/).
* Your environment meets the [Poolside node compatibility requirements](https://github.com/poolsideai/n8n-poolside-node#compatibility).
* You have one of the following:
  * A Poolside Platform API key. To create one, go to [platform.poolside.ai](https://platform.poolside.ai/), open **API Keys**, and click **New key**.
  * An API key and OpenAI-compatible base URL for your organization's Poolside deployment.

## Steps

1. Install the `@poolsideai/n8n-nodes-poolside` community node.

   <Tabs>
     <Tab title="From n8n">
       This method requires an Owner or Admin role in n8n.

       1. In n8n, navigate to **Settings > Community Nodes**.
       2. Click **Install**.
       3. Enter `@poolsideai/n8n-nodes-poolside` in **Enter npm package name**.
       4. Select **I understand the risks of installing unverified code from a public source**.
       5. Click **Install**.
     </Tab>

     <Tab title="Manual installation">
       With shell access to the n8n host or container, install the package in n8n's default community nodes directory:

       ```bash theme={null}
       mkdir -p ~/.n8n/nodes
       cd ~/.n8n/nodes
       npm install @poolsideai/n8n-nodes-poolside
       ```

       Restart n8n after installation.
     </Tab>
   </Tabs>

2. Add an **AI Agent** or another chain node that accepts a language model to your workflow.

3. Click the **Model** connector below the node, then select **Poolside Chat Model**.

4. Create a **Poolside API** credential and configure it:

   | Field        | Value                                                                      |
   | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   | **API Key**  | Your Poolside Platform or deployment API key.                              |
   | **Base URL** | Keep the default `https://inference.poolside.ai/v1` for Poolside Platform. |

   <Note>
     If you run Poolside on your own infrastructure, set the base URL to your deployment's OpenAI-compatible endpoint instead. Replace `<api-domain>` with your deployment's host. The path is `/openai/v1`.
   </Note>

   Save the credential. A green check confirms that n8n can reach the base URL and authenticate with the API key.

5. Select a Poolside model from the **Model** dropdown. The node loads this list from your configured endpoint.

6. Optional: Under **Options**, configure **Sampling Temperature**, **Maximum Number of Tokens**, **Timeout**, **Max Retries**, or **Thinking**.

   <Note>
     Use **Thinking** for open-ended reasoning, code analysis, and generation. Turn it off for **Text Classifier**, **Information Extractor**, **Sentiment Analysis**, or workflows that use a **Structured Output Parser**. Reasoning text can prevent these nodes from parsing the required format.
   </Note>

7. Connect a trigger and any output nodes your workflow needs, then run the workflow. The setup works when the AI Agent or chain returns a response from the selected Poolside model.

## Workflow examples

### Triage support tickets

1. Trigger the workflow when a help desk, email, or webhook node receives a ticket.
2. Prompt the Poolside model to classify the ticket by category and urgency.
3. Route the result with a **Switch** node to the appropriate queue, alert, or system.

### Extract structured data

1. Trigger the workflow on a schedule or when n8n receives unstructured text.
2. Connect the **Poolside Chat Model** to a node such as **Information Extractor** or to a chain that uses a **Structured Output Parser**.
3. Turn off **Thinking**, then define the fields the model must return.
4. Map the structured output into a database, spreadsheet, or another destination.

## Customize a workflow

* **Change the trigger and destination**: Connect any n8n integration that fits your source and output systems.
* **Change the prompt**: Ask the model to classify, summarize, extract, moderate, or generate content.
* **Change the model**: Select another model available from your configured Poolside endpoint.
* **Change model options**: Adjust temperature, token limits, timeouts, retries, or thinking behavior for the task.

## Related resources

* [Poolside node for n8n source code](https://github.com/poolsideai/n8n-poolside-node)
* [Poolside node for n8n on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@poolsideai/n8n-nodes-poolside)
* [n8n community nodes](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/community-nodes/)
* [n8n workflow templates](https://n8n.io/workflows/)
* [Poolside API](/api/overview)
* [Supported models](/get-started/supported-models)