Before you start

n8n (Cloud or self-hosted)
Google account: Sheets + Gmail
OpenAI API key (Tavily optional, for news)
Your offer, ICP and signature (Config)

1. Pick where it runs

n8n Cloud

Log in to your n8n Cloud workspace.
Workflows → Import from file.
Pick the file(s) in workflow/.

n8n self-hosted

Open your n8n (Docker or npm, v1.x/2.x).
Workflows → Import from file.
Same files; nothing else changes.

ChatGPT or Claude

Create a Custom GPT or Claude Project.
Paste gpt/INSTRUCTIONS.txt.
Upload your sheet or paste rows in.

2. Setup checklist

Download the files from your welcome emailUnzip. You'll use the workflow/, templates/ and guide/ folders.
Import leads-template.csv into Google SheetsLeads tab (3 fake rows, replace them)
Import cold-email-research-agent.n8n.json into n8nWorkflows → Import from file (n8n Cloud or self-hosted).
Connect Google SheetsUsed by: Get New Leads, Update Lead Row.
Connect OpenAIUsed by: Research & Write.
Connect GmailUsed by: Create Gmail Draft.
Fill in the Config nodeyour_name, your_company, your_offer, your_icp, value_prop, proof_point, cta, signature, min_fit_score, batch_size.
Run it on 3 real rowsCheck the drafts and the status column before you raise the batch size.

3. Connect your tools

Service	Nodes that use it
Google Sheets	Get New Leads, Update Lead Row
OpenAI	Research & Write
Gmail	Create Gmail Draft

In each node, choose Create new credential and sign in (Google uses OAuth; OpenAI takes an API key). n8n stores credentials in your instance, not with us.

Run budget (n8n executions)

n8n Cloud counts one execution each time a schedule fires, even when nothing is new. Runs you start with Execute workflow in the editor don't count. n8n Cloud Starter includes 2,500 a month.

Workflow	Default schedule	Cron	Executions
Prospecting	On demand (manual trigger)	-	0 counted (manual runs don't count)

This employee at the defaults: 0 scheduled a month. All five AI employees on Workforce at their defaults: about 790 a month (724-833 depending on the number of weekdays), about a third of Starter's 2,500.

It runs when you click Execute workflow on a new batch. To schedule it, add a Schedule Trigger with a cron such as 0 8 * * 1-5 (weekdays 08:00, about 22 a month) and publish the workflow.

What the statuses mean

Status	Meaning	Your next step
`drafted`	Draft is in Gmail	Review, edit, send
`low_fit`	Below your fit threshold	Skip, or lower min_fit_score
`missing_email`	No email in the row	Add it or skip
`error`	See the error column	Fix and re-run

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Fix
Website fetch fails	Some sites block bots: the row is marked error with the reason. Add notes in the sheet or skip it.
Drafts sound generic	Fill in value_prop and proof_point in Config and add 1-2 notes per lead.

Guardrails

Cold email rules differ by country (GDPR/ePrivacy, CAN-SPAM). Contact business prospects with a legitimate interest and honour opt-outs. Not legal advice.

Set up the Cold Email Research Agent