ngrok` is an open-source tool that allows developers to expose local APIs to the internet, making it easier to automate tasks with `Zapier`, a cloud-based integration platform as a service (iPaaS). This tutorial demonstrates how to connect Zapier to remote APIs using ngrok to bridge the gap between publicly available cloud-based systems and internal systems. By following this guide, users can automate tasks such as filling spreadsheets, reacting to events, or grabbing status updates without manual intervention. The process involves creating a sample app that uses ngrok to expose a remote API, adding authentication to the connection, and integrating Zapier with Google Sheets to automate data retrieval and update.