n8n Labs Releases Nod, an Open-Source Local Personal Agent for Mac and Windows

n8n Labs has launched Nod as an open-source research preview under the Apache 2.0 license. Operating independently from the core n8n platform, Nod is a single-user desktop agent available for Mac and Windows that executes tasks across web browsers and linked applications such as Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Slack. According to n8n, Nod operates within a local virtual machine sandbox on the user's computer, running its own browser so tasks can be completed autonomously. Users connect their own AI model providers via API keys, ChatGPT subscriptions, or local open-source models. n8n stated that sensitive credentials and cards are stored locally in encrypted form and input through forms inaccessible to the AI model, with explicit permission checks triggered before the agent sends messages, makes payments, posts content, or deletes items. n8n reported that Nod achieved a 93.2% score on the LongMemEval benchmark for long-term memory. The software tracks execution expenses per task, allows monthly spend limits, prompts users when a single task exceeds $5, and halts operations when the host machine sleeps.

Key takeaways

• Nod is a standalone, Apache 2.0 open-source personal agent developed by n8n Labs for Mac and Windows, operating locally without requiring an n8n account.
• The application runs inside a local sandbox virtual machine with its own browser, allowing it to navigate websites and interact with connected applications like Gmail, Slack, and Google Drive.
• Credentials and payment information are encrypted locally, with n8n stating that tasks requiring actions like sending, paying, or deleting trigger confirmation checks.
• The agent requires users to supply their own AI model, features built-in spending guardrails such as task receipts and limits, and stops execution when the computer enters sleep mode.