BlitSkills

Prerequisites: getting everything ready

Open all the accounts you need so you will not have to stop later.

Objective: open all the accounts you need so you will not have to stop later. Duration: ~15 min. Result: n8n open, a Telegram bot created, a Google account ready.

1. Get n8n

There are two options. Choose one:

Option A — n8n Cloud (the easiest way to start)

  1. Go to n8n.io → “Get started”.
  2. Create an account (email + password).
  3. You have a 14-day free trial, more than enough for this series.
  4. You land on an empty screen with a “Create Workflow” button. This is where we will work.

Option B — Self-hosted n8n (free indefinitely, but technical)

  • On a server, a Raspberry Pi or your PC, using Docker.
  • Command: docker run -it --rm -p 5678:5678 n8nio/n8n
  • Then open http://localhost:5678
  • ⚠️ To receive Telegram messages, n8n must be accessible from the Internet over HTTPS (with a domain name + a reverse proxy, or a tunnel such as Cloudflare Tunnel). → If you are a beginner, choose Option A. We will return to self-hosting in an advanced series.

✅ Check: you can see the n8n dashboard and click “Create Workflow”.

2. Create the Telegram bot

The bot is your assistant's “phone number”. We create it using an official bot called BotFather.

  1. Open Telegram on your phone.
  2. Search for @BotFather (with the blue verification check mark).
  3. Send it: /newbot
  4. It asks for a name (the display name) → e.g. Mon Assistant
  5. It asks for a username → it must end in bot → e.g. mon_assistant_perso_bot
  6. BotFather sends back a message containing a token that looks like: 8257453654:AAH...longue-suite-de-caractères...
  7. ⚠️ This token is your bot's password. NEVER show it during a live stream. Copy it into a private file.

✅ Check: click the t.me/ton_bot link BotFather gives you, then “Start”. The bot does not reply yet (that is normal: we have not built anything), but the conversation exists.

3. A Groq account (fast, free AI)

Groq hosts open-source AI models and runs them very quickly, with a generous free tier. Ideal for an assistant.

  1. Go to console.groq.com
  2. Sign in (Google or GitHub is quicker).
  3. Left menu → “API Keys” → “Create API Key”.
  4. Give it a name (e.g. n8n-assistant) → Create.
  5. Copy the key (it starts with gsk_...). Keep it private, like the other secrets.

✅ Check: you have a key starting with gsk_ in your private file.

4. A Google account (Sheets + Calendar + Gemini)

You probably already have a Gmail account. We just need to prepare access for n8n.

4a. Create the storage spreadsheet

  1. Go to sheets.google.com → “Blank spreadsheet”.
  2. Rename it (top left): Assistant Personnel.
  3. At the bottom, there is a Sheet 1 tab. We will create the four tabs (Notes, Expenses, Tasks, Reminders) in episode 03, not now — just remember where they are.
  4. Look at the URL: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/LA_LONGUE_SUITE_ICI/edit → that string in the middle is the spreadsheet ID. Write it down.

4b. Create a dedicated calendar (to keep your personal calendar clear)

  1. Go to calendar.google.com
  2. On the left, next to “Other calendars”, click + → “Create new calendar”.
  3. Name: Assistant → “Create calendar”.

4c. Connect Google in n8n

This is the slightly technical step. We will cover it in detail in episode 03, but you will need either:

  • n8n Cloud (it handles the Google connection for you: “Connect my account” → sign in → done).
  • Or, if self-hosting, an “OAuth client” in Google Cloud Console (a longer process).

→ Beginner + n8n Cloud = just one button. We will cover it when we get there.

✅ Check: you have a Google Sheet named “Assistant Personnel” (with its ID written down) and an “Assistant” calendar.

5. Your private secrets file

On your computer, create a text file that you will never show on screen:

=== ASSISTANT SECRETS — DO NOT SHARE ===
Telegram bot token : 8257453654:AAH........
Groq API key       : gsk_........
Google Sheet ID    : 1-Y-w0o7........

During a live stream, open this file off camera (on a second screen, or pause screen sharing for five seconds).

Episode recap

✅ n8n open (preferably Cloud)
✅ Telegram bot created, token stored safely
✅ Groq key created
✅ Google Sheet + “Assistant” calendar ready
✅ Secrets file put away safely

Next episode: we build the first part of the workflow — a bot that replies.