Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, and OpenAI has just raised the bar again with its latest innovation — the OpenAI Agent Kit, also called Agent Builder. This new tool lets you easily create and deploy your own AI-powered agents without needing deep technical skills.
In this post, we’ll explore how to create AI agents using OpenAI Agent Kit, compare it with N8N, and show how to embed your agent using ChatKIT.
What Is OpenAI Agent Kit?
OpenAI Agent Kit is a visual workflow builder that allows you to create AI agents — automated assistants powered by GPT models — that can connect to APIs, perform web searches, or even handle customer interactions.
Think of it like a mix between ChatGPT and Zapier/N8N — but built natively by OpenAI.
The interface is clean, modern, and designed for both developers and non-coders. You can create, test, and deploy an AI agent within minutes.
How to Create a Workflow in OpenAI Agent Kit
Creating a workflow in OpenAI Agent Kit is simple and intuitive.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Visit platform.openai.com/agentbuilder.
- Sign in using your OpenAI account.
- Click on “Create New Workflow.”
- You’ll see a visual editor — similar to N8N — where you can drag and connect nodes.
- Add a start node, which defines your agent’s first interaction or goal.
- Connect tools like web search, APIs, or knowledge sources to make the agent smarter.
- Once done, click “Publish Workflow.”
This workflow is your agent’s brain — it defines how your AI behaves, where it pulls data from, and how it responds to user queries.
OpenAI Agent Kit vs N8N – What’s the Difference?
Let’s compare both tools to see where each one shines:
| Feature | OpenAI Agent Kit | N8N |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Chat-based AI Agents | Automation Workflows |
| User Interface | Clean and Modern | Technical and Complex |
| Model Options | Only GPT Models | Supports GPT, Claude, Gemini, etc. |
| Triggers | Chat Input | Multi-App Triggers (Slack, Gmail, etc.) |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-Friendly | Developer-Focused |
| Integration | Built-in Web Search | Wide App Integrations |
| Embedding | ChatKIT SDK | Custom Integration Needed |
In short:
- Use OpenAI Agent Kit if you want to create conversational AI agents quickly.
- Use N8N if you need complex automations connecting multiple apps and triggers.
Adding Web Search in Agent Kit
One of the coolest features in OpenAI Agent Kit is Web Search Integration.
You can allow your agent to browse specific websites or data sources by simply adding them as a tool:
- Go to your workflow and click “Tools” → “Add Web Search.”
- Enter your preferred source (e.g., your company website).
- Save and connect it to your main flow.
Now, your agent can access real-time data — something N8N requires external APIs for.
Embedding Your Agent Using ChatKIT
Once your agent is built, you can make it live on your website using ChatKIT, OpenAI’s embedding tool.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Copy your Workflow ID from your published Agent Kit project.
- Create an OpenAI API Key from platform.openai.com/api-keys.
- Visit the ChatKIT GitHub repository and clone the starter app.
- Open the
.env.localfile and paste your API key and Workflow ID. - Run the project locally using:
npm run dev - Test your chatbot interface and then deploy it to your site or app.
This makes your AI agent interactive — ready to chat with visitors, assist customers, or automate answers.
Advanced Features You Can Add
OpenAI Agent Kit supports a few advanced features for developers and power users:
- Guardrails: Helps prevent inappropriate or irrelevant responses.
- MCP Servers: Connects your agent with platforms like Gmail, Stripe, or Shopify.
- Conditional Logic Nodes: Lets your agent make decisions dynamically.
These features make it far more customizable than traditional chatbots.
Conclusion
The OpenAI Agent Kit marks a big step toward a more intuitive and accessible future for AI automation.
While N8N and Zapier remain strong contenders for large-scale automation, OpenAI’s tool stands out for its simplicity and deep AI integration.
If your goal is to create a smart conversational agent or automate customer support using GPT models — OpenAI Agent Kit is absolutely worth exploring.
Stay tuned for future updates, as OpenAI continues to expand the kit with more triggers, plugins, and integration capabilities.
