Workflows: Learnings from Gumloop
Subflows, simple UIs, Chrome Extension, Custom Nodes
I watched this Gumloop presentation. I personally use n8n, but I like checking out alternatives to get inspired by them. For sure, Gumloop is a product worth looking at.
Subflows Are Like Functions
Workflows often repeat the same steps. Gumloop has subflows, which let you reuse parts of a workflow instead of rebuilding the same logic again. It’s like writing functions in code.
If you have 20 different workflows, but all of them end with sending a Slack message written in a way aligned with your writing style - it can be a subflow.
Simple UI for Execution
Gumloop lets you create a basic website/HTML form with a few text fields for input parameters. You fill them in, click a button, and the workflow runs. Such forms can be shared with non-technical users.
Of course, without this functionality, you could setup such a website on your own and implement a button to call a webhook executing the workflow. However, it’s cool to see that they have a feature for it.
Chrome Extension for Instant Automation
Gumloop comes with a Chrome extension that lets you grab content from a currently opened website and send it as input to a workflow. One-click, and automation kicks in, already populated with the content from the website. Faster than copy&paste. Much easier than URL scrapping, especially for pages behind authorization.
Building Custom Nodes in AI-Powered Way
Gumloop supports custom nodes, letting you connect to third-party data sources that aren’t natively integrated. But what stood out in the video? The process. You copy & paste the API documentation of a service that isn’t yet supported, and Gumloop’s AI generates the custom node for you. No manual coding, no complex setup—just an instant, AI-assisted connector, ready to be used in your workflows.
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