Introduction

In Module 5, we stop doing things manually. We need a "Connector" to glue your apps together. We will use Zapier because it is user-friendly and has a generous free tier.

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Step 1: Sign Up for Free

  1. Go to zapier.com.

  2. Click "Sign Up".

  3. Use your Google or Microsoft account to log in quickly.

  4. Zapier will ask you what apps you use (e.g., Slack, Gmail, Excel). You can skip this or select your favorites to get suggestions.

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Step 2: Understanding the Dashboard

Once logged in, you will see a bright orange button: "Create Zap".

  • Zap: This is what Zapier calls an automation workflow.

  • Trigger: The "When" (e.g., When I get an email).

  • Action: The "Do" (e.g., Send me a WhatsApp).

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Step 3: Connect Your First App

To prepare for the course, let's connect your email.

  1. Click "Apps" in the left-hand menu.

  2. Click "Add Connection".

  3. Search for "Gmail" or "Outlook".

  4. A pop-up window will ask you to log in to your email account and grant permission. Click Allow.

  5. You generally do not need to pay for a premium plan for this course; the "Free" plan allows for 100 tasks/month, which is enough for our exercises.

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Step 4: Testing the Connection

  1. Go back to the Dashboard.

  2. Type a simple sentence in the AI bar: "When I receive a new email in Gmail, send me a Slack message."

  3. Zapier's AI will draft the workflow for you. If it loads the draft, your setup is complete!