Master Faceless YouTube Automation: n8n & AI APIs Checklist

Introduction

This comprehensive guide breaks down the process of setting up faceless YouTube automation using n8n and various AI APIs. Each section covers a specific part of the setup process, with clear, numbered steps and reference labels for easy tracking.

How This Guide Works:

Break Down the Process into Clear Sections: Each section covers a specific part of the setup (e.g., API setup, n8n configuration, workflow creation, etc.) with numbered steps for easy reference.
Detailed Instructions: For each step, you'll find clear instructions including what to do, what to expect, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Reference Labels: Each step has a unique label (e.g., API-1, n8n-2, Workflow-3) for easy reference when asking questions.
Progress Checklists: Each section includes a checklist to track your progress.

Section 1: Setting Up APIs

API-1: Deepseek API Setup

Objective: Obtain and configure the Deepseek API key for use in n8n.

Step 1: Sign Up for Deepseek API

What to Do: Go to the Deepseek website and sign up for an account if you don't already have one.
Why It's Needed: You need an account to generate an API key.
How to Do It:
- Visit the Deepseek website: Deepseek (or the correct URL if different).
- Click on Sign Up and create an account using your email.
- Verify your email address if required.

Common Pitfalls:

If you already have an account, make sure you're logged in.
If the website is not loading, check your internet connection or try a different browser.

Checkpoint: You should be logged into your Deepseek account.

Step 2: Generate an API Key

What to Do: Create a new API key in your Deepseek account.
Why It's Needed: The API key is required to authenticate requests from n8n.
How to Do It:
- After logging in, go to the API Section (usually found in the dashboard or under account settings).
- Look for API Keys or Developer Tools.
- Click on Create New API Key.
- Give the key a name (e.g., "n8n Workflow").
- Copy the generated API key immediately (you won't be able to see it again).

Common Pitfalls:

If you lose the API key, you'll need to generate a new one.
Ensure the key has the necessary permissions (e.g., access to transcript generation).

Checkpoint: You should have a copied API key ready to use.

Step 3: Format the API Key for n8n

What to Do: Add the "Bearer" prefix to the API key.
Why It's Needed: n8n requires the API key to be formatted with "Bearer" for authorization.
How to Do It:
- Open a text editor (e.g., Notepad or any plain text app).
- Paste the API key.
- Add the word Bearer followed by a space before the API key.
- Example: If your API key is abc123, format it as Bearer abc123.

Common Pitfalls:

Ensure there's a space between "Bearer" and the API key.
Do not include quotes or extra characters.

Checkpoint: You should have a formatted API key like Bearer abc123.

Step 4: Add Deepseek API Key to n8n

What to Do: Add the formatted API key to n8n as a credential.
Why It's Needed: n8n needs the API key to communicate with Deepseek.
How to Do It:
- Open your n8n instance (local or cloud-hosted).
- Go to Credentials (usually in the left sidebar).
- Click on New Credential.
- Search for HTTP Request or Deepseek (if a specific node exists).
- In the Authorization field, select Bearer Token.
- Paste the formatted API key (Bearer abc123) into the token field.
- Save the credential.

Common Pitfalls:

If you don't see the Bearer Token option, ensure you're using the correct node (HTTP Request is a common fallback).
Double-check that the API key is correctly formatted.

Checkpoint: The Deepseek API credential should now be saved in n8n.

Step 5: Test the Deepseek API Connection

What to Do: Test the API connection to ensure it's working.
Why It's Needed: To confirm that n8n can communicate with Deepseek.
How to Do It:
- Create a new workflow in n8n.
- Add an HTTP Request node.
- Configure the node:
  - Authentication: Select the Deepseek credential you just created.
  - URL: Enter the Deepseek API endpoint (e.g., https://api.deepseek.com/v1/transcript).
  - Method: Choose POST.
  - Body: Add a sample JSON payload (e.g., {"prompt": "Write a story about a fox"}).
- Execute the node and check the response.

Common Pitfalls:

If you get an error, double-check the API key and endpoint URL.
Ensure the JSON payload is correctly formatted.

Checkpoint: You should receive a valid response from Deepseek (e.g., a generated transcript).