Create a dead man’s switch for solo founders with Google Sheets and Gmail
Ready for 3.0Ready for 3.0. This template uses no nodes that n8n 3.0 removes. No removed nodes, versions or helpers found. Static check, last run 2026-10-19.
What this workflow does
This workflow has 13 nodes and runs on a schedule (every day at 09:00) (plus 1 other trigger). Along the way it connects Google Sheets and Gmail.
How it runs
Trigger: On a schedule (every day at 09:00) (plus 1 other trigger).
- Read Check-in Log (Google Sheets): uses Google Sheets
- Record Check-in (Google Sheets): append
- Calculate Hours Since Last Check-in (Code): runs custom JavaScript code
- Confirm Check-in (Edit Fields (Set)): sets 2 fields: message, checkedInAt
- Status OK? (If): checks a condition and branches into true / false
- All Good - No Action (Edit Fields (Set)): sets 1 field: message
- Is Critical? (If): checks a condition and branches into true / false
- Alert Emergency Contact (Gmail): uses Gmail
- Send Reminder to Founder (Gmail): uses Gmail
- Alert Emergency Contact (Gmail): uses Gmail
…plus 1 more step. See the full node list below.
Services it uses
Before you upgrade to n8n 3.0
Nothing in this workflow is removed in n8n 3.0, so it should import and run after the upgrade.
Nodes used (7)
- Schedule Trigger
n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger - Google Sheets
n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - Code
n8n-nodes-base.code - If
n8n-nodes-base.if - Edit Fields (Set)
n8n-nodes-base.set - Gmail
n8n-nodes-base.gmail - Webhook
n8n-nodes-base.webhook
From the author
Dead Man's Switch for Solo Founders Who is this for 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. What it does This workflow…