Windmill
Open-source workflow automation engine with AI script generation - build Python, TypeScript, and Bash workflows with AI assistance and deploy in minutes.
Windmill is an open-source workflow automation platform that lets developers write scripts in Python, TypeScript, Go, PHP, or Bash and connect them into workflows via a visual flow builder or YAML definition. Its AI script generation feature writes fully functional scripts from a natural language description of what the step should do. Windmill handles scheduling, secrets management, retries, and human-in-the-loop approval gates - replacing a combination of Airflow, Lambda, and cron jobs for many engineering teams. The platform is MIT-licensed and fully self-hostable, making it popular with teams that cannot send production data to third-party automation platforms.
Key Features
- AI script generation - writes Python, TypeScript, Go, or Bash steps from a natural language description
- Visual flow builder - connects scripts, loops, branches, and conditionals with a drag-and-drop canvas
- Built-in secrets and resource manager - stores API keys, database credentials, and OAuth tokens securely
- Cron scheduling - runs any workflow on a schedule without managing external cron infrastructure
- Approval flows - pauses a workflow and requires human review before continuing critical or irreversible steps
- Self-hostable MIT license - deploy on private infrastructure with full data control at zero license cost
Use Cases
- Engineering teams automating internal scripts and data pipelines without standing up dedicated infrastructure
- DevOps teams scheduling database maintenance, backup jobs, and alert notifications from one platform
- Operations teams building human-in-the-loop workflows that require approval before taking irreversible actions
- Startups using AI script generation to build service integrations without dedicated automation engineers
Pros
- Open-source MIT license - self-hosted on private infrastructure at no license cost for teams with compliance requirements
- AI script generation speeds up workflow creation for developers who know the goal but not the exact API syntax
- First-class developer primitives - loops, conditionals, and custom code are native, not bolt-on like in Zapier
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than no-code tools like Zapier or Make.com - requires comfort with code and APIs
- UI builder is minimal - not suitable for building polished user-facing internal apps (Retool territory)
- Community integrations are less polished and numerous than Zapier or Make.com's verified connector marketplace
Windmill Alternatives
Explore similar tools and alternatives
Looking for alternatives to Windmill? Here are some similar tools you might like:
n8n
Open-source workflow automation platform with a visual builder, 400+ integrations, and self-hosting option.
Pipedream
Developer-first workflow automation with code-native steps, 2,000+ API integrations, and serverless execution - 1M+ developers on the platform.
Inngest
Developer platform for durable background jobs and AI workflows with automatic retries, step functions, and 50k free function runs per month for any stack.
Ready to try Windmill?
Visit the official website to explore all features and get started with Windmill today.
Reviews
0 reviews for Windmill
Based on 0 reviews
Share your experience
Log in to write a review for Windmill
CrewAI
Open-source multi-agent AI framework - 450M+ workflows/month, 60% of Fortune 500 use it; free tier with 50 executions/month, $44.5M raised.
Make
Visual workflow automation platform with 1,800+ app integrations, advanced branching logic, and native AI modules for complex multi-step automation without code.
Flowise
Open-source drag-and-drop builder for LangChain and LlamaIndex apps - 40,000+ GitHub stars, self-hostable, deploy AI chatbots and RAG pipelines visually.
Have an AI Tool?
List your AI tool for free, or go featured for top placement in your category - and reach thousands of potential users.
Submit Your Tool