This workflow follows the Form Trigger → HTTP Request 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 →
{
"name": "The Recap AI - Reverse Engineer Short Form AI Video",
"nodes": [
{
"parameters": {
"formTitle": "Reverse Engineer Short Form Video",
"formDescription": "Provide an IG Reel url or a TikTok url.",
"formFields": {
"values": [
{
"fieldLabel": "Url",
"placeholder": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKzbAvyoCMJ/",
"requiredField": true
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.formTrigger",
"typeVersion": 2.2,
"position": [
40,
100
],
"id": "feeaf14f-cc61-4a85-9a80-8456356aa551",
"name": "form_trigger"
},
{
"parameters": {
"rules": {
"values": [
{
"conditions": {
"options": {
"caseSensitive": true,
"leftValue": "",
"typeValidation": "strict",
"version": 2
},
"conditions": [
{
"leftValue": "={{ $('form_trigger').item.json.Url }}",
"rightValue": "=instagram.com",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "contains"
},
"id": "c5641e00-9155-4ca8-b4cd-90798531103a"
}
],
"combinator": "and"
}
},
{
"conditions": {
"options": {
"caseSensitive": true,
"leftValue": "",
"typeValidation": "strict",
"version": 2
},
"conditions": [
{
"id": "4da252f9-8606-476f-85a3-23f95b6f6e72",
"leftValue": "={{ $('form_trigger').item.json.Url }}",
"rightValue": "tiktok.com",
"operator": {
"type": "string",
"operation": "contains"
}
}
],
"combinator": "and"
}
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.switch",
"typeVersion": 3.2,
"position": [
540,
100
],
"id": "a473cf43-ed18-479b-bc08-53173715c355",
"name": "switch_platform"
},
{
"parameters": {
"method": "POST",
"url": " https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/apify~instagram-api-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items",
"authentication": "genericCredentialType",
"genericAuthType": "httpHeaderAuth",
"sendBody": true,
"specifyBody": "json",
"jsonBody": "={\n \"directUrls\": [\n \"{{ $('form_trigger').item.json.Url }}\"\n ],\n \"resultsLimit\": 1,\n \"resultsType\": \"posts\"\n}",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"typeVersion": 4.2,
"position": [
880,
-220
],
"id": "9361eaaa-5a19-4001-8809-e9ea7c44125d",
"name": "scrape_ig_reel",
"credentials": {
"httpHeaderAuth": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"url": "={{ $('scrape_ig_reel').item.json.videoUrl }}",
"options": {
"response": {
"response": {
"responseFormat": "file"
}
}
}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"typeVersion": 4.2,
"position": [
1340,
-220
],
"id": "abe8f70a-2b3a-4c69-ba07-d6ee790f2302",
"name": "download_ig_reel"
},
{
"parameters": {
"method": "POST",
"url": "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/apidojo~tiktok-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items",
"authentication": "genericCredentialType",
"genericAuthType": "httpHeaderAuth",
"sendBody": true,
"specifyBody": "json",
"jsonBody": "={\n \"maxItems\": 1,\n \"startUrls\": [\n \"{{ $('form_trigger').item.json.Url }}\"\n ]\n}",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"typeVersion": 4.2,
"position": [
880,
300
],
"id": "aad88865-ba23-4619-a172-8413863b127d",
"name": "scrape_tiktok",
"credentials": {
"httpHeaderAuth": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"url": "={{ $('scrape_tiktok').item.json.video.url }}",
"options": {
"response": {
"response": {
"responseFormat": "file"
}
}
}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"typeVersion": 4.2,
"position": [
1340,
300
],
"id": "efe3daec-2f18-43c0-8e28-4ce84c33a68b",
"name": "download_tiktok"
},
{
"parameters": {
"operation": "binaryToPropery",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.extractFromFile",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [
880,
520
],
"id": "e6124831-b97f-4eb7-b3c0-8192339d2aa3",
"name": "tiktok_to_base64"
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "eccbeb92-af90-4244-8e23-2cd3e2616a07",
"name": "result",
"value": "={{ $json.candidates[0].content.parts[0].text }}",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
1340,
520
],
"id": "380927ac-d7cb-4c66-9020-c905d0d0932d",
"name": "set_tiktok_result"
},
{
"parameters": {
"method": "POST",
"url": "https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models/gemini-2.5-pro:generateContent",
"authentication": "genericCredentialType",
"genericAuthType": "httpHeaderAuth",
"sendBody": true,
"specifyBody": "json",
"jsonBody": "={\n \"contents\": [\n {\n \"parts\": [\n {\n \"inline_data\": {\n \"mime_type\": \"video/mp4\",\n \"data\": \"{{ $json.data }}\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"text\": {{ JSON.stringify($('build_final_tiktok_prompt').item.json.prompt) }}\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"typeVersion": 4.2,
"position": [
1120,
520
],
"id": "246e1bc4-8a3e-483b-acb9-3fdd87ed51b5",
"name": "analyze_tiktok",
"credentials": {
"httpHeaderAuth": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "f302b2c5-43cb-41f0-91f5-e91f72397ae4",
"name": "prompt",
"value": "=**Your Persona:** You are a \"Digital Twin Architect,\" a specialized AI analyst with a dual mastery of forensic video analysis and generative AI video synthesis. Your function is to deconstruct a source video into its absolute, quantifiable components and then architect a \"Generative Manifest\"\u2014a flawless, multi-part prompt designed to compel an AI video model to render a perfect digital replica. You do not interpret; you transcribe reality into data.\n\n**Your Mission:** Your sole objective is to analyze the provided short-form video and produce a **Generative Manifest**. This manifest must be so detailed that it leaves no room for creative interpretation by the target AI video model (Google Veo, Sora, etc.). The goal is not a similar video; it is a shot-for-shot, motion-for-motion, photon-for-photon digital twin.\n\n**The Process: Forensic Deconstruction**\n\nBefore writing the manifest, you will perform a deep forensic analysis, dissecting the video across multiple layers. Think like a VFX artist creating a CG replica of a live-action shot.\n\n**Layer 1: The Global Aesthetic & Physics Core**\nThis is the foundational DNA of the video.\n* **Visual Medium:** Is it emulating a specific film stock (e.g., Kodak Vision3 50D 35mm, Ektachrome 16mm)? Or is it a specific digital camera sensor (e.g., ARRI Alexa 65, RED Komodo, a high-end smartphone sensor)? Note the inherent grain, noise pattern, and sharpness.\n* **Color Science & Grading:** Be precise. \"Cinematic teal and orange\" is too vague. Specify \"A high-contrast color grade with crushed blacks, lifted mid-tones, desaturated blues, and a heavy push of orange into the skin tones. The overall white balance is shifted slightly warm, around 4500K.\"\n* **Lens Emulation:** Identify the characteristics of the lens. \"Emulating a Cooke Anamorphic/i SF 50mm lens, creating distinct oval bokeh, soft lens flares, and slight edge distortion.\" Or \"Emulating a sterile, hyper-sharp Zeiss Supreme Prime lens with zero chromatic aberration.\"\n* **Physics & Reality Engine:** Define the environmental physics. \"Hyperrealistic physics model. All fluid dynamics (water, steam) must be viscous and turbulent. Fabric simulation must show weight and react to air currents. Particle effects (dust motes, sparks) must be dense and interact with light.\"\n\n**Layer 2: Per-Shot Deconstruction**\nBreak the video into a numbered sequence of shots. For EACH shot, you must detail the following:\n\n* **Shot ID & Absolute Timing:**\n * `[SHOT X]`\n * `DURATION:` Start time to end time (e.g., 0.0s - 3.2s).\n\n* **Camera Specification:**\n * `FRAMING:` Extreme Close-Up (ECU), Medium Shot (MS), etc.\n * `ANGLE:` Low Angle, High Angle, etc.\n * `MOVEMENT:` Be precise. Not \"pan,\" but \"A slow, 15-degree pan to the right with a smooth ease-in and ease-out, taking 2.0 seconds, starting at the 1.0s mark of the shot. The motion is perfectly stable, as if on a geared head tripod.\" Not \"handheld,\" but \"Subtle, high-frequency handheld shake emulating a person breathing, with a maximum vertical displacement of 2 pixels.\"\n\n* **Subject & Action Choreography:**\n * `SUBJECT(S):` Hyper-specific descriptions. \"Male, early 30s, olive skin, short black hair, with a 3-day stubble. Wearing a navy blue heavyweight cotton t-shirt with visible fabric weave and slight pilling on the collar.\"\n * `ACTION MANIFEST:` A time-stamped log of all actions. \"At 0.5s, the subject's right hand enters the frame from the left. At 0.7s, his fingers make contact with the ceramic mug. At 1.2s, a micro-expression of concentration appears: slight furrowing of the brow, lips press together.\"\n\n* **Lighting & Environmental Detail:**\n * `LIGHTING BLUEPRINT:` \"A single, large, soft key light (emulating a 4x4 silk diffuser) is positioned camera left and slightly high, creating a Rembrandt lighting pattern on the subject's face. A weak, cool-toned fill light (approx. 6000K) from the right prevents shadows from being completely black. A hard rim light from behind separates the subject from the background.\"\n * `ENVIRONMENT STATE:` \"The background shows a plaster wall with visible texture and a 2-inch scuff mark three feet to the right of the subject's head. Dust motes are visible, floating slowly in the shafts of light.\"\n\n* **Focus & Depth Plane:**\n * `DEPTH OF FIELD:` \"Extremely shallow depth of field (emulating f/1.4 aperture). The focal plane is locked precisely on the subject's leading eyeball.\"\n * `FOCUS DYNAMICS:` \"At 2.5s, a slow, deliberate rack focus begins, shifting the focal plane from the subject's eye to the coffee cup in their hand over 0.7 seconds.\"",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
300,
100
],
"id": "b013129b-1662-4f47-8f89-d7668368b507",
"name": "set_base_prompt"
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "aab55ec6-6c4b-4e60-a576-62812f91299f",
"name": "prompt",
"value": "={{ $('set_base_prompt').item.json.prompt }}\n---\nVideo Title: {{ $json.title }}\nVideo Hashtags: {{ $json.hashtags.join(\",\") }}",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
1120,
300
],
"id": "5ac6e027-8874-4541-8d2a-da1db0d76586",
"name": "build_final_tiktok_prompt"
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "aab55ec6-6c4b-4e60-a576-62812f91299f",
"name": "prompt",
"value": "={{ $('set_base_prompt').item.json.prompt }}\n---\nVideo Caption: {{ $json.caption }}\nVideo Hashtags: {{ $json.hashtags.join(\",\") }}",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
1120,
-220
],
"id": "3ff33483-c6f5-4022-b4ba-4fc8f75b1141",
"name": "build_final_ig_prompt"
},
{
"parameters": {
"operation": "binaryToPropery",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.extractFromFile",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [
880,
20
],
"id": "e57ad5a9-be69-406c-a491-dba6bccd04a0",
"name": "ig_to_base64"
},
{
"parameters": {
"method": "POST",
"url": "https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models/gemini-2.5-pro:generateContent",
"authentication": "genericCredentialType",
"genericAuthType": "httpHeaderAuth",
"sendBody": true,
"specifyBody": "json",
"jsonBody": "={\n \"contents\": [\n {\n \"parts\": [\n {\n \"inline_data\": {\n \"mime_type\": \"video/mp4\",\n \"data\": \"{{ $json.data }}\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"text\": {{ JSON.stringify($('build_final_ig_prompt').item.json.prompt) }}\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest",
"typeVersion": 4.2,
"position": [
1120,
20
],
"id": "c7602bc6-c215-45da-8d1e-1efb88fd1598",
"name": "analyze_ig_reel",
"credentials": {
"httpHeaderAuth": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"assignments": {
"assignments": [
{
"id": "eccbeb92-af90-4244-8e23-2cd3e2616a07",
"name": "result",
"value": "={{ $json.candidates[0].content.parts[0].text }}",
"type": "string"
}
]
},
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
"typeVersion": 3.4,
"position": [
1340,
20
],
"id": "08b0dd73-dcdb-4c5f-bff3-b7ffeab4d7f1",
"name": "set_ig_result"
},
{
"parameters": {
"content": "## 1. Url Input + Build Video Reverse Engineering Prompt",
"height": 540,
"width": 820,
"color": 5
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
-40,
-100
],
"typeVersion": 1,
"id": "253c56f0-dfde-4fa8-abe1-3d1c77c473c4",
"name": "Sticky Note"
},
{
"parameters": {
"content": "## 2.1 Download IG Reel + Analyze Video",
"height": 500,
"width": 840,
"color": 6
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
800,
-300
],
"typeVersion": 1,
"id": "d12d06e6-4180-4147-8fe7-7646549e0420",
"name": "Sticky Note1"
},
{
"parameters": {
"content": "## 2.2 Download TikTok + Analyze Video",
"height": 480,
"width": 840,
"color": 3
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
800,
220
],
"typeVersion": 1,
"id": "b328af52-a5fc-47fb-a626-12189cebb917",
"name": "Sticky Note2"
},
{
"parameters": {
"authentication": "oAuth2",
"select": "channel",
"channelId": {
"__rl": true,
"value": "C08KC39K8DR",
"mode": "list",
"cachedResultName": "ai-tools-content"
},
"text": "=*AI Video Generator Prompt:*\n\n```\n{{ $json.permalink }}\n```",
"otherOptions": {
"includeLinkToWorkflow": false
}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.slack",
"typeVersion": 2.3,
"position": [
2240,
120
],
"id": "bb780611-a300-4ca0-98a5-e1902c51c6bf",
"name": "send_prompt_msg",
"credentials": {
"slackOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"operation": "toText",
"sourceProperty": "result",
"binaryPropertyName": "prompt.md",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.convertToFile",
"typeVersion": 1.1,
"position": [
1800,
120
],
"id": "7c99f7c7-fe79-4344-a273-355cfe26f28e",
"name": "Convert to File"
},
{
"parameters": {
"authentication": "oAuth2",
"resource": "file",
"binaryPropertyName": "prompt.md",
"options": {}
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.slack",
"typeVersion": 2.3,
"position": [
2020,
120
],
"id": "7a88bdaf-6f5a-4c90-8059-21ffc6e165ba",
"name": "upload_file",
"credentials": {
"slackOAuth2Api": {
"name": "<your credential>"
}
}
},
{
"parameters": {
"content": "## 3. Share Prompt In Slack",
"height": 540,
"width": 840
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"position": [
1660,
-100
],
"typeVersion": 1,
"id": "a7c4af22-8c48-4fdb-94cd-a553829c0aef",
"name": "Sticky Note3"
}
],
"connections": {
"form_trigger": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "set_base_prompt",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"switch_platform": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "scrape_ig_reel",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
],
[
{
"node": "scrape_tiktok",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"scrape_ig_reel": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "build_final_ig_prompt",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"scrape_tiktok": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "build_final_tiktok_prompt",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"download_tiktok": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "tiktok_to_base64",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"tiktok_to_base64": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "analyze_tiktok",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"analyze_tiktok": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "set_tiktok_result",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"set_base_prompt": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "switch_platform",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"build_final_tiktok_prompt": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "download_tiktok",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"build_final_ig_prompt": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "download_ig_reel",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"download_ig_reel": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "ig_to_base64",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"ig_to_base64": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "analyze_ig_reel",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"analyze_ig_reel": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "set_ig_result",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"set_ig_result": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Convert to File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"set_tiktok_result": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Convert to File",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"Convert to File": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "upload_file",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
},
"upload_file": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "send_prompt_msg",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
}
},
"active": false,
"settings": {
"executionOrder": "v1"
},
"versionId": "bac5fec1-da37-4183-bde0-ff33cce0518e",
"meta": {
"templateCredsSetupCompleted": true
},
"id": "hphJfSePqnG8grxP",
"tags": []
}
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.
httpHeaderAuthslackOAuth2Api
Pro
For the full experience including quality scoring and batch install features for each workflow upgrade to Pro
How this works
Reverse-engineer short-form AI videos from Instagram Reels or TikTok to uncover the prompts and techniques behind them, saving hours of trial and error for content creators and AI enthusiasts. This workflow delivers a detailed recap of the video's structure, including key elements like scripts, visuals, and effects, empowering you to replicate or adapt successful styles effortlessly. It starts with a simple form submission of the video URL, followed by automated scraping and analysis using HTTP requests, and culminates in a Slack notification with the full breakdown.
Use this when analysing viral AI-generated videos to inspire your own creations, particularly if you're experimenting with tools like those from Runway or Synthesia. Avoid it for non-AI videos or when real-time processing is needed, as it relies on event-driven triggers for batch analysis. Common variations include swapping Slack for email notifications or adding image extraction for deeper visual breakdowns.
About this workflow
The Recap AI - Reverse Engineer Short Form AI Video. Uses formTrigger, httpRequest, slack. Event-driven trigger; 22 nodes.
Source: https://github.com/VasilisPlavos/Learn/blob/906c45384956c575c32f82e5baef5b2f4bfcc9bb/automations/n8n/lucaswalter-n8n-ai-automations/reverse_engineer_viral_ai_videos.json — original creator credit. Request a take-down →
Related workflows
Workflows that share integrations, category, or trigger type with this one. All free to copy and import.
Upload a document (PDF, PNG, JPEG) via a web form and let easybits Extractor classify it into one of your defined categories. Based on the classification result and a confidence score, the document is
Form Trigger, HTTP Request, Google Drive +1
Expenses Tracker (video). Uses httpRequest, splitInBatches, googleSheets, googleDrive. Event-driven trigger; 21 nodes.
HTTP Request, Google Sheets, Google Drive +2
Slack Hunter. Uses slack, formTrigger, stickyNote, noOp. Event-driven trigger; 11 nodes.
Slack, Form Trigger, HTTP Request +1
Team leads, project managers, and operations staff who want to automate meeting documentation. Useful for any team that records meetings and needs structured notes with clear action items.
Form Trigger, HTTP Request, Notion +1
Webhook Slack. Uses theHiveProjectTrigger, stickyNote, httpRequest, theHiveProject. Event-driven trigger; 63 nodes.
The Hive Project Trigger, HTTP Request, The Hive Project +1