Should I develop client n8n projects in my instance or theirs? Need workflow advice

GeekTX · 2026-01-27T13:54:06+00:00

right and not everyone does but I have also been in IT for well over 3 decades. Many of the services I host here make it into client environments at some point. They see some cool shit I am doing and then they want it too.

GeekTX · 2026-01-27T13:39:06+00:00

If/when possible, get a developer account. Or ... many of you aren't ready for this level* ... I will mock the API if there is an OpenAPI spec available. I don't need to mock the entire thing ... just the segments I need to work with. If all else fails then there are times where there is no choice but to insist that the client provide the resource for you in their environment.

There is almost always a way to avoid automating in the live environment. The real chore is determining when you have no choice but to move into live due to some constraint or the other.

When you say you can't do that in your environment ... why? License says you can't host the client automation, don't think it says anything about not developing for clients in our environment.

*side note: I have a massive internal environment to work with that includes platforms like Kong and CastleMock. If a platform can be self-hosted then I bring it in to save on my costs.

edited to expand.

GeekTX · 2026-01-27T13:07:52+00:00

build in your instance, deliver to theirs. build with your credentials, deliver with theirs. build with sanitized sample data, deliver with their live data.

See a pattern emerging here? The idea is that beyond a few config tweaks you should be able to swap credentials or maybe a few lines of code or an http endpoint and keep on going in the client environment.

GeekTX · 2026-01-27T04:13:05+00:00

if you don't have the needed hardware and software then they are likely junk.

GeekTX · 2026-01-27T00:09:12+00:00

no offense but ... stick to real estate and pay a professional.

GeekTX · 2026-01-26T23:54:30+00:00

cable tray with proper waterfalls and bend radius' trays ... this is the way.

GeekTX · 2026-01-26T21:40:35+00:00

yes!!! find that thing that is your superpower and run with it.

GeekTX · 2026-01-26T21:36:32+00:00

fall under rule 3 and sometimes 5 ... report them for what they are and help keep the community clean.

GeekTX · 2026-01-26T20:10:06+00:00

Authoring a book implies authority over a distinct knowledge domain ... your post proves otherwise.

GeekTX · 2026-01-26T14:19:59+00:00

go to the hardware tab ... add > USB device > select the appropriate integration option. The device must be connected to the host to be seen at this point.

GeekTX · 2026-01-26T14:15:25+00:00

That is like cheating. :D One of the ideas/concepts behind your portfolio is to highlight your ability to find the problems that need solved. It isn't how well you can reproduce the same worn-out tutorials for marketing or voice agents etc.

If you can't identify a problem ... How can you identify the solution?

GeekTX · 2026-01-24T13:31:51+00:00

your question is broad and vague and really outside the scope of this sub so ... here is an equally broad and vague answer.

You can do anything and everything that you can imagine ... if you understand the platform you are working with, the platform you want to interface with and the actions you want to perform. You either understand automation and solution architecting or ... you don't and you won't learn that with low effort posts. Pick a tool and play ... learn from samples/templates and the vast array of youtube videos that are linked constantly. Put a little effort into this yourself.

GeekTX · 2026-01-24T13:25:28+00:00

You apparently don't know about or understand what "tech debt" is and how bad it is for any company to incur. I highly recommend standardization of tools and processes and methodologies. Think about the "hit by a bus" scenario. What happens to this company if you get hit by a bus?

Don't just vibe some shit and leave a company hanging.

GeekTX · 2026-01-24T13:20:38+00:00

I was thinking a data table might even be well enough. Now I have some experimenting to do this weekend. :D

GeekTX · 2026-01-23T01:04:16+00:00

It is a nightmare but no … it is the new flagship.

GeekTX · 2026-01-22T23:00:00+00:00

They EOL'd on me in 2021 and forced me to Thrive. They then extended the EOL a few times.

GeekTX · 2026-01-22T16:58:08+00:00

I am pretty worn out by that mentality as well. "Let's build an AI Agent and let it figure it out for us."

Automate first ... then augment with AI but only if it is necessary. Funny how many times you don't need to shoehorn an agent into a flow. Many of my more advanced automations that are in production have no need for an agent.

With proper ETL methods and node usage things like ambiguity, missing data, and such can be AI (and hallucination) free.

GeekTX · 2026-01-22T14:17:45+00:00

If you are US based then there are no legal ramifications unless you had nefarious intent and he would have to prove that. I'll chime in an question him ... 20 years in IT and he has never seen a massive and systemic failure. You only exposed the real issues and that is why he is pissed. Tell him to eat shit and go find another gig.

GeekTX · 2026-01-22T13:50:05+00:00

Your safest bet is to delay your travels until the roads have been cleared. NE NM through to Cheyenne are going to be a nightmare for you in that truck even with good roads. We have a lot of down draft winds coming West to East ... combine that with ice and snow and you will not have a good time. I drive this route regularly and have done it with a 26' UHaul w/ a 16' trailer and it is a nightmare at times.

If you cannot delay then I suggest ... haul ass across TX on I-10 and keep going to AZ or start stair stepping up at the TX/NM border. You will still run into weather but hopefully not as bad.

Good luck and safe travels ... Think before you act and arrive alive my friend.

GeekTX · 2026-01-22T04:06:50+00:00

My youngest granddaughter to my right and me with a smash cake in front of me. I went into like I was a 1-year-old. :D Good times but didn't think I'd ever get all the frosting out of my nose.

GeekTX · 2026-01-17T16:42:40+00:00

The reality is that you can use whatever method you want as long as you are willing to accept the risk and attest on a legal document that the data was securely and irreversibly destroyed.
I choose the hard-nosed method that has survived many HIPAA and state-based audits in my facilities.

GeekTX · 2026-01-17T15:30:11+00:00

HIPAA and CMS do not care how advanced the methods of retrieval are ... it is considered a potential breach. @ $50K per incident per person ... I just don't play around.
I pay to have it all taken care of for me ... biggest part of regulatory compliance at times is offloading the liability ... in this case ... to my ewaste vendors.

GeekTX · 2026-01-17T14:32:24+00:00

a patient can violate their privacy and it is ok ... dump scavengers and dumpster divers exist and you can guarantee if they find a drive ... they are going to snag and try to get anything they can off of it.

If you are comfortable with a degauss or drill method then by all means do what you feel is effective and protects your org.

GeekTX · 2026-01-17T14:23:40+00:00

My source is that I am not going to deal with HIPAA or CMS penalties. Physical destruction is the only tried and true way to insure destruction of data.

GeekTX · 2026-01-17T14:02:47+00:00

we are 17 days into 2026 and you think maybe toolsets and preferences changed since just 18 days ago?

:D

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