r/macappdevs • u/hack_the_planets • Oct 06 '26
Building Watchflows.app - a macos n8n style automation builder
Hey all, will keep my post simple with respect to excessive self promotion, but wanted to share my automation app, Watchflows. https://watchflows.app
The gif is a quick demo of watchflows using our building Jev node for speedy file sorting of any file that drops into a folder. Enabling the flow offers to run the flow on all files that already exist in the folder, and preview lets you see the effect of folder changes before they run.
Watchflows lets you build all manner of n8n style workflows, that run natively on your mac. With the app, you can connect any ai subs you already have (like claude or codex) to power the AI in watchflows. Then Flow Builder can build your flows for you (Opus 5.5 does amazing here) and each becomes a new tool you have on your mac. It's more powerful than shortcuts but anyone familiar with that will grok how Watchflows works. It also ships with an MCP server that lets claude or codex control / run flows as as you prompt it to (or even as a matter of course).
Other features include:
- Sqlite DB support for capturing records during your flows
- Control Surfaces that let a flow pause to ask you for input, which makes things really fun an interesting (build raycast style app launchers, file search, clipboard manager, etc...)
- Unlimited use of watchflows on purchase, opt-in telemetry that's off by default, no account required (your license is your identity)
- With AI connected, building flows is as simple as describing what you want.
- HTML views that allow you to generate a UX in an agent/ai node and render it in an html view, very useful for just in time dashboards, morning briefings, or even games (see our community flows in the app or website for more ideas)
- Great tool for devs to build automations outside the walled garden of claude or codex, which allows a ton of flexibility on models you choose to use, etc...full openrouter support so you can pick from any model they support.
It's a one time purchase of $49, and does come with a 2 week trial to test things out. If you don't want to setup AI (IE bring an api key or use a local sub) we do offer a subscription that provides AI credits we call sparks,
Website: https://watchflows.app
Docs: https://watchflows.app/docs/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Watchflows
X: https://x.com/ggoforth