Make.com Getting Started

What Make.com Is

Make.com (formerly Integromat) is a cloud-based workflow automation platform. You build "scenarios" — visual workflows where modules (steps) are connected on a canvas. When a trigger module fires, the scenario executes the connected modules in sequence.

Key Make.com properties:

Visual canvas: Modules appear as circles connected by lines on a canvas. You see the full scenario structure at a glance. Branches, loops, and error handlers are visually distinct — not buried in configuration menus.

Operations-based pricing: You pay for module executions (operations), not time or tasks. A simple 2-step scenario costs 2 operations per run; a complex 15-step scenario costs 15 operations per run.

Rich error handling: Make.com has excellent built-in error handling. Every module has an error path; you can retry operations, ignore errors, route errors to different modules, or break the scenario — all configured visually.

1,000+ integrations: Pre-built modules for most major SaaS services. The HTTP module covers any service with a REST API.

Creating Your Account

1. Go to make.com and click "Get started free"
2. Sign up with Google or email — the free tier doesn't require a credit card
3. Your Make.com account is ready immediately
4. The free tier includes 1,000 operations/month — enough to build and test multiple scenarios

Free tier limitations: 1,000 operations/month, 2 active scenarios at once, no multi-step scenario routing (premium feature). Sufficient for learning; upgrade when you need more volume or features.

Understanding the Interface

Scenarios list: The main view when you log in. Lists all your scenarios with their status (active/inactive), last run time, and run count.

Scenario canvas: The visual editor. Shows modules as circles, connections as lines. Click any module to configure it; click a connection line to see the data flowing through it.

History panel: View the execution history for a specific scenario. Green rows = success; red rows = error. Click any row to see the full execution details.

Data mapping: When configuring a module, you map data from previous modules. Click in any field and a panel shows all available data from prior modules — click to insert it.

Building Your First Scenario

A simple starter scenario: Send a Slack message when a new form is submitted.

1. Click "Create a new scenario"
2. Click the + button and add a Typeform module (trigger: "Watch Responses")
3. Connect your Typeform account and select your form
4. Click the + after the Typeform module
5. Search for and add a Slack module (action: "Create a Message")
6. Connect your Slack account, select the channel, and map the Typeform fields into the message
7. Click "Run once" to test — submit a test response in Typeform and see the Slack message appear
8. If it works, toggle "Scheduling" to on and set the check interval

Your first automation is running. Make.com will check Typeform every 15 minutes (or the interval you set) and process new responses.

Connecting Apps (Credentials)

Each Make.com module for a specific service requires authentication. When you add a new module:

1. Click the module to open its configuration
2. In the "Connection" field, click "Add" to create a new connection
3. Follow the authentication flow — usually OAuth (click and authorise) or API key (enter the key)
4. The connection is saved and available in all modules for that service

Best practice: create one connection per service and reuse it across all modules for that service. If you need to update credentials, update one connection and all modules are updated.

Recommended Tools

• Make.com — The platform itself; free tier to start
• Claude API — AI integration via HTTP module
• OpenAI API — Native Make.com OpenAI integration
• HubSpot — CRM with strong Make.com integration
• Airtable — Flexible database, well-supported in Make.com
• Slack — Notifications and team communications