How to Use Zapier Next Gen Zaps (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

About this video

Kevin demonstrates Zapier’s Next Gen Zaps, where instead of building automation step by step in a visual editor, you describe what you want and an AI agent builds a code-based workflow for you, with no coding knowledge required. At the time of the video Next Gen Zaps were still in early access requiring requested access, and a paid plan was required. The example is for the Kevin Cookie Company: customers submit a catering form, requests for 50 cookies or more should trigger a personal sales follow-up, smaller orders should get an automatic email, and every request should be added to a tracking spreadsheet. Apps must first be connected under App Connections — in the example Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Forms, and Slack, with Slack added live. After submitting a comprehensive prompt (Zapier shows green checks for trigger, apps, actions, and result), Zapier asks follow-ups such as which Google Sheet to use, then builds a workflow with a Google Form trigger, control flow branching at fewer than 50 versus 50 or more cookies, Gmail versus Slack paths that converge to log to Google Sheets, viewable as visual flow or underlying TypeScript. Testing exposed errors — a 150-cookie form got an email instead of Slack, then no spreadsheet write — which were fixed by describing the problem to the AI. Runs, inputs/outputs, on/off toggle, and versions can be viewed and managed. Workflows can also be built via Claude, ChatGPT, and other AI tools connected through MCP, shown via ChatGPT developer mode and creating an MCP app/plugin, and existing Zaps can be imported.

Key takeaways

• Next Gen Zaps are built by describing the workflow in natural language; an AI agent creates a code-based (TypeScript) automation you can view visually or as code
• At filming they were in early access requiring requested access and a paid Zapier plan
• Connect all apps first in App Connections; the demo uses Google Forms, Gmail, Slack, and Google Sheets with a 50-cookie branching threshold
• The AI can also debug: describing a failed test (150 cookies getting email instead of Slack, missing spreadsheet entry) prompted fixes that were re-tested
• You can view run history, inputs and outputs, toggle the workflow on/off, track versions, import existing Zaps, or build via Claude/ChatGPT through MCP

Episode details: published September 23, 2026 · 9:24 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Kevin Stratvert’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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