Alejandro Alfonso 
This workflow corresponds to n8n.io template #14236 — we link there as the canonical source.
This workflow follows the Gmail → Google Sheets recipe pattern — see all workflows that pair these two integrations.
The workflow JSON
Copy or download the full n8n JSON below. Paste it into a new n8n workflow, add your credentials, activate. Full import guide →
{
"id": "GPKQHbK0ytLztiaT",
"meta": {
"templateCredsSetupCompleted": true
},
"name": "Dead Man's Switch for Solo Founders",
"tags": [],
"nodes": [
{
"id": "trigger-schedule",
"name": "Daily Check (9 AM)",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger",
"position": [
0,
0
],
"parameters": {
"rule": {
"interval": [
{
"triggerAtHour": 9
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 1.3
},
{
"id": "read-checkins",
"name": "Read Check-in Log",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
"position": [
224,
0
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "gid=0",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1thTJ-MtGvJnK6Qo3waeAhkAqto748g_dscSa6V7NW2w/edit#gid=0",
"cachedResultName": "CheckIns"
},
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "url",
"value": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1thTJ-MtGvJnK6Qo3waeAhkAqto748g_dscSa6V7NW2w/edit?gid=0#gid=0"
}
},
"credentials": {
"googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 4.7
},
{
"id": "calc-hours",
"name": "Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
"position": [
448,
0
],
"parameters": {
"jsCode": "const rows = $input.all();\nif (rows.length === 0) {\n return [{ json: { hoursSinceCheckIn: 9999, lastCheckIn: 'never', status: 'CRITICAL' } }];\n}\nconst configRow = rows[0];\nconst lastRow = rows[rows.length - 1];\nconst lastCheckIn = new Date(lastRow.json.timestamp);\nconst now = new Date();\nconst hoursDiff = (now - lastCheckIn) / (1000 * 60 * 60);\nconst threshold = configRow.json.threshold_hours ? parseInt(configRow.json.threshold_hours) : 24;\n\nlet status = 'OK';\nif (hoursDiff > threshold * 2) {\n status = 'CRITICAL';\n} else if (hoursDiff > threshold) {\n status = 'WARNING';\n}\n\nreturn [{\n json: {\n hoursSinceCheckIn: Math.round(hoursDiff * 10) / 10,\n lastCheckIn: lastCheckIn.toISOString(),\n thresholdHours: threshold,\n status,\n founderName: configRow.json.founder_name || 'Founder',\n founderEmail: configRow.json.founder_email || '',\n emergencyContact1: configRow.json.emergency_contact_1 || '',\n emergencyContact2: configRow.json.emergency_contact_2 || '',\n emergencyMessage: configRow.json.emergency_message || 'This is an automated message. I have not checked in to my Dead Mans Switch in over ' + Math.round(hoursDiff) + ' hours. Please check on me.'\n }\n}];"
},
"typeVersion": 2
},
{
"id": "check-status",
"name": "Status OK?",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"position": [
672,
0
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"conditions": {
"options": {
"version": 2,
"leftValue": "",
"caseSensitive": true,
"typeValidation": "strict"
},
"combinator": "and",
"conditions": [
{
"id": "status-check",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "equals"
},
"leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
"rightValue": "OK"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.3
},
{
"id": "no-action",
"name": "All Good - No Action",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"position": [
880,
-128
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "msg",
"name": "message",
"type": "string",
"value": "Check-in is current. No action needed."
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 3.4
},
{
"id": "check-critical",
"name": "Is Critical?",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.if",
"position": [
880,
128
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"conditions": {
"options": {
"version": 2,
"leftValue": "",
"caseSensitive": true,
"typeValidation": "strict"
},
"combinator": "and",
"conditions": [
{
"id": "critical-check",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "equals"
},
"leftValue": "={{ $json.status }}",
"rightValue": "CRITICAL"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.3
},
{
"id": "send-reminder",
"name": "Send Reminder to Founder",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.gmail",
"position": [
1104,
240
],
"parameters": {
"sendTo": "={{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.founderEmail }}",
"message": "=Hi {{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.founderName }},\n\nThis is your Dead Mans Switch reminder. You havent checked in for {{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.hoursSinceCheckIn }} hours.\n\nYour threshold is set to {{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.thresholdHours }} hours.\n\nClick your check-in link to reset the timer.\n\nIf you dont check in soon, your emergency contacts will be notified.",
"options": {},
"subject": "Dead Mans Switch: You Havent Checked In"
},
"credentials": {
"gmailOAuth2": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.2
},
{
"id": "send-emergency-1",
"name": "Alert Emergency Contact 1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.gmail",
"position": [
1104,
0
],
"parameters": {
"sendTo": "={{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.emergencyContact1 }}",
"message": "={{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.emergencyMessage }}\n\nLast check-in was {{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.hoursSinceCheckIn }} hours ago.\n\nThis is an automated Dead Mans Switch alert.",
"options": {},
"subject": "=URGENT: {{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.founderName }} Has Not Checked In"
},
"credentials": {
"gmailOAuth2": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.2
},
{
"id": "send-emergency-2",
"name": "Alert Emergency Contact 2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.gmail",
"position": [
1328,
0
],
"parameters": {
"sendTo": "={{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.emergencyContact2 }}",
"message": "={{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.emergencyMessage }}\n\nLast check-in was {{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.hoursSinceCheckIn }} hours ago.\n\nThis is an automated Dead Mans Switch alert.",
"options": {},
"subject": "=URGENT: {{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.founderName }} Has Not Checked In"
},
"credentials": {
"gmailOAuth2": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 2.2
},
{
"id": "log-alert",
"name": "Log Alert to Sheet",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
"position": [
1552,
0
],
"parameters": {
"columns": {
"value": {
"status": "={{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.status }}",
"timestamp": "={{ $now.toISO() }}",
"hours_since_checkin": "={{ $('Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in').item.json.hoursSinceCheckIn }}"
},
"schema": [
{
"id": "timestamp",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "timestamp",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "status",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "status",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "hours_since_checkin",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "hours_since_checkin",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
}
],
"mappingMode": "defineBelow",
"matchingColumns": [],
"attemptToConvertTypes": false,
"convertFieldsToString": false
},
"options": {},
"operation": "append",
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "name",
"value": "AlertLog"
},
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "url",
"value": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1thTJ-MtGvJnK6Qo3waeAhkAqto748g_dscSa6V7NW2w/edit?gid=1462250637#gid=1462250637"
}
},
"credentials": {
"googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 4.7
},
{
"id": "checkin-webhook",
"name": "Check-in Webhook",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
"position": [
0,
352
],
"parameters": {
"path": "dead-mans-switch-checkin",
"options": {},
"responseMode": "lastNode"
},
"typeVersion": 2.1
},
{
"id": "record-checkin",
"name": "Record Check-in",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets",
"position": [
224,
352
],
"parameters": {
"columns": {
"value": {
"source": "webhook",
"timestamp": "={{ $now.toISO() }}"
},
"schema": [
{
"id": "timestamp",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "timestamp",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
},
{
"id": "source",
"type": "string",
"display": true,
"required": false,
"displayName": "source",
"defaultMatch": false,
"canBeUsedToMatch": true
}
],
"mappingMode": "defineBelow",
"matchingColumns": [],
"attemptToConvertTypes": false,
"convertFieldsToString": false
},
"options": {},
"operation": "append",
"sheetName": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "gid=0",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1thTJ-MtGvJnK6Qo3waeAhkAqto748g_dscSa6V7NW2w/edit#gid=0",
"cachedResultName": "CheckIns"
},
"documentId": {
"__rl": true,
"mode": "list",
"value": "1thTJ-MtGvJnK6Qo3waeAhkAqto748g_dscSa6V7NW2w",
"cachedResultUrl": "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1thTJ-MtGvJnK6Qo3waeAhkAqto748g_dscSa6V7NW2w/edit?usp=drivesdk",
"cachedResultName": "DeadMan"
}
},
"credentials": {
"googleSheetsOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
},
"typeVersion": 4.7
},
{
"id": "checkin-confirm",
"name": "Confirm Check-in",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"position": [
448,
352
],
"parameters": {
"options": {},
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "confirm-msg",
"name": "message",
"type": "string",
"value": "Check-in recorded. Your Dead Mans Switch timer has been reset."
},
{
"id": "confirm-time",
"name": "checkedInAt",
"type": "string",
"value": "={{ $now.toISO() }}"
}
]
}
},
"typeVersion": 3.4
},
{
"id": "sticky-overview",
"name": "Sticky Note",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-608,
-384
],
"parameters": {
"width": 420,
"height": 760,
"content": "## Dead Man's Switch for Solo Founders\nA personal safety net for solo founders, freelancers, and one-person businesses. If you stop checking in, your emergency contacts get alerted automatically.\n\n### How it works\n1. **Bookmark your check-in URL** and visit it daily to reset the timer\n2. Every day at 9 AM, the workflow checks how long since your last check-in\n3. **Past threshold** (default 24h) \u2014 you get a reminder email\n4. **Past 2x threshold** (48h) \u2014 your emergency contacts are alerted\n5. Every alert is logged to a Google Sheet for a full audit trail\n\n### Setup\n1. Create a Google Sheet with two tabs: **CheckIns** and **AlertLog**\n2. In **CheckIns**, add columns: `timestamp`, `source`, `founder_name`, `founder_email`, `emergency_contact_1`, `emergency_contact_2`, `emergency_message`, `threshold_hours`\n3. In **AlertLog**, add columns: `timestamp`, `status`, `hours_since_checkin`\n4. Add one seed row in CheckIns with your details and threshold (e.g. 24)\n5. Paste your Google Sheet URL into the three Google Sheets nodes\n6. Connect your **Gmail OAuth2** and **Google Sheets** credentials\n7. Activate the workflow and bookmark the webhook URL"
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "sticky-monitoring",
"name": "Sticky Note1",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-16,
-384
],
"parameters": {
"width": 560,
"height": 200,
"content": "### Daily Monitoring\nRuns every day at 9 AM. Reads all check-in rows from Google Sheets, then calculates how many hours have passed since the last check-in. Compares against your configured threshold to determine status: **OK**, **WARNING**, or **CRITICAL**."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "sticky-routing",
"name": "Sticky Note2",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
656,
-512
],
"parameters": {
"width": 300,
"height": 344,
"content": "### Status Routing\nIf status is **OK**, no action is taken. Otherwise, it checks whether the situation is **CRITICAL** (past 2x threshold) or just a **WARNING** (past 1x threshold) and routes accordingly."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "sticky-escalation",
"name": "Sticky Note3",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1168,
-496
],
"parameters": {
"width": 580,
"height": 276,
"content": "### Alert Escalation\n**CRITICAL path** \u2014 Emails both emergency contacts sequentially, then logs the alert to the AlertLog sheet tab for a full audit trail.\n\n**WARNING path** \u2014 Sends a reminder email only to the founder, prompting them to check in before it escalates to emergency contacts."
},
"typeVersion": 1
},
{
"id": "sticky-checkin",
"name": "Sticky Note4",
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
16,
544
],
"parameters": {
"width": 560,
"height": 168,
"content": "### Check-in Endpoint\nA simple webhook URL you bookmark and visit to check in. Records the timestamp to Google Sheets and returns a confirmation message. This is how you reset your dead man's switch timer each day."
},
"typeVersion": 1
}
],
"active": true,
"settings": {
"timezone": "America/New_York",
"callerPolicy": "workflowsFromSameOwner",
"availableInMCP": false,
"executionOrder": "v1"
},
"versionId": "b6bb63b5-00ad-4ba6-beca-9db8568e23de",
"connections": {
"Status OK?": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "All Good - No Action",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Is Critical?",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Is Critical?": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Alert Emergency Contact 1",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "Send Reminder to Founder",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Record Check-in": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Confirm Check-in",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Check-in Webhook": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Record Check-in",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Read Check-in Log": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Daily Check (9 AM)": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Read Check-in Log",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Alert Emergency Contact 1": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Alert Emergency Contact 2",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Alert Emergency Contact 2": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Log Alert to Sheet",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Status OK?",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
}
}
}
Credentials you'll need
Each integration node will prompt for credentials when you import. We strip credential IDs before publishing — you'll add your own.
gmailOAuth2googleSheetsOAuth2Api
Pro
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About this workflow
Solo founders, freelancers, and one-person businesses who need a safety net — an automated system that alerts trusted contacts if something happens and they stop checking in.
Source: https://n8n.io/workflows/14236/ — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
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