Automate AI News Posting to X Using n8n and Perplexity API

What this workflow does

This workflow finds the newest AI news automatically.
It then posts a short, clear headline with a link on X (Twitter).
This saves time and keeps followers updated fast.
No need to search or write posts manually anymore.

The process runs about once a day at different minutes to look natural.
It asks Perplexity AI with a question about AI news.
The AI answers with a tweet-ready headline and link.
The workflow takes this and posts it on your X account with OAuth2.

Tools and services used

• n8n: To automate the workflow steps.
• Perplexity AI API: To get the latest AI news results.
• X (Twitter) OAuth2 API: To post the tweet automatically.

This setup needs you to connect your API keys inside n8n.
You also need X developer credentials to post tweets securely.

Inputs, processing steps, and output

Inputs

• A timer trigger that runs roughly every 21 hours at a random minute.
• A fixed question input: “What’s the latest news in artificial intelligence?”
• Perplexity AI API key for authorized news search.
• X OAuth2 access to post tweets.

Processing Steps

• The Schedule Trigger fires the workflow after configured interval.
• The Set node assigns the exact search question.
• Another Set node inserts the Perplexity API key correctly.
• A HTTP Request node calls Perplexity AI’s chat completions endpoint.
  It sends a system prompt guiding AI to output a short, single headline with a link, fitting under 200 characters.
• The API response is parsed to get the headline text.
• The Twitter OAuth2 node posts the extracted text as a tweet to the linked X account.

Output

A new tweet on the connected X account with a fresh AI news headline and article link.
The tweet respects character limits and posts automatically without manual input.

Beginner step-by-step: How to use this workflow in n8n for production

1. Import the workflow

1. Download the workflow file by clicking the Download button on this page.
2. In the n8n editor, select “Import from File” and upload the downloaded workflow.

2. Add credentials and API Keys

1. Open the set API key node.
   Replace the placeholder <yourPerplexityAPI> with your real Perplexity AI API Key.
2. Go to the Post to X node.
   Link your X developer OAuth2 credentials properly.

3. Update any identifiers if needed

1. If your posts need special IDs or channels, update them in relevant nodes.
   Usually, no changes needed unless using custom configurations.

4. Test the workflow

1. Use the manual trigger button to run the workflow once.
   Check if the API call returns the headline.
   Confirm the tweet is published on your X feed.

5. Activate the workflow

1. Switch the workflow status to active in n8n.
   Now it runs automatically at intervals.

If self hosting n8n, check self-host n8n for helpful resources.

Customization ideas

• You can change the question text in the searchQuery Set node.
  Focus on other tech or news areas.
• Adjust the schedule trigger time to run more or less often.
  Choose exact daily times if preferred.
• Add media URLs from the API result to include images in tweets.
  Modify the Twitter node to post pictures.
• Tweak the system prompt inside the Perplexity HTTP Request node.
  Ask for more details or links to add context in tweets.

Troubleshooting common problems

Problem: “401 Unauthorized” from Perplexity API

Cause: API Key was typed wrong or missing.
Solution: Check that the key in the set API key node is correct and still valid.

Problem: Tweets do not appear

Cause: Twitter OAuth credentials lack posting rights or are linked wrong.
Solution: Recreate OAuth2 tokens with tweet permission.
Link the correct credentials inside the Post to X node.

Pre-production checklist

• Confirm all API keys and OAuth2 credentials are current and active.
• Test the HTTP Request node to get a valid news headline and link response.
• Run the workflow manually to check tweet content and posting.
• Verify the schedule trigger is set as intended with random minute.

Conclusion

✓ This workflow keeps AI news tweets fresh without you searching.
✓ Saves hours by posting automatically to X with right content.
✓ Simple to customize for other topics or media additions.
✓ Runs quietly in background, so you focus on other work.

→ Start with download and import.
→ Add keys and test once.
→ Activate and watch your AI news tweets appear.

Perplexity AI prompt used in HTTP Request

This prompt tells Perplexity AI to make a short social media post.
It asks for a one-line headline with a direct link.
The goal is to fit below 200 characters for X.

{
  "model": "llama-3.1-sonar-small-128k-online",
  "messages": [
    {
      "role": "system",
      "content": "You are a social media assistant summarizing tech news for Twitter/X. Return a single precise headline and article link under 200 characters for posting. Avoid extra text."
    },
    {
      "role": "user",
      "content": "{{ $('searchQuery').item.json.searchInput }}"
    }
  ],
  "temperature": 0.3,
  "top_p": 0.9,
  "return_citations": true,
  "search_domain_filter": ["perplexity.ai"],
  "search_recency_filter": "day",
  "max_tokens": 80,
  "presence_penalty": 0,
  "frequency_penalty": 1
}