Tips on how to Self-Host n8n on Docker in 5 Easy Steps

Picture by Creator

# Introduction

 
Automation has change into the power of well-structured enterprise operations. Corporations worldwide are automating repetitive duties, combining a number of purposes, and constructing clever workflows to save lots of time and decrease handbook errors. n8n is a strong, open-source workflow automation instrument that is revolutionizing how groups method automation, and it is fully free to host your self.

In contrast to costly software program as a service (SaaS) options like Zapier, n8n provides you full management over your automation infrastructure. If you mix n8n with Docker, you get a containerized, scalable, and moveable automation platform that may be deployed anyplace — out of your native machine to manufacturing servers on cloud suppliers comparable to Amazon Internet Providers (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

This tutorial will information you thru the entire technique of self-hosting n8n on Docker in simply 5 easy steps, with detailed explanations and code samples, no matter your technical background.

# Understanding n8n

 
n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a fair-code licensed workflow automation platform that connects nearly any software with an API to another. In accordance with the official n8n documentation, n8n helps you join apps with little to no code, making it accessible to each technical and non-technical customers.

Options of n8n:

• Connecting with well-liked companies like Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, HubSpot, Salesforce, GitHub, and hundreds extra
• Including Python code immediately in workflows for complicated logic
• Utilizing a drag-and-drop interface that makes constructing automations intuitive
• Constructed-in LangChain assist for synthetic intelligence (AI) powered workflows and clever automation
• Selecting to host by yourself servers or use n8n Cloud
• Accessing a free group version with highly effective open-source capabilities

With n8n, you may automate duties like:

• Syncing information between a number of instruments routinely
• Processing incoming webhooks from exterior companies
• Sending notifications to Slack, electronic mail, and different platforms
• Enriching buyer information from exterior APIs
• Creating clever workflows utilizing AI brokers
• Working scheduled duties (cron jobs) on any frequency you want

# Understanding Docker

 
Docker is a containerization platform that packages your total software, together with all dependencies, libraries, and configuration, into a light-weight, moveable container. Consider a Docker container as a self-contained field that incorporates all the things n8n must run, guaranteeing consistency throughout totally different machines and environments.

Why Docker is ideal for n8n:
Docker runs the identical container in your laptop computer, a devoted server, or cloud infrastructure. n8n runs independently with out affecting different purposes in your server. You’ll be able to improve n8n with a single command with out worrying about breaking dependencies. You can even run a number of n8n cases or employee containers for dealing with complicated workflows, guaranteeing everybody in your crew runs the very same atmosphere.

# Step 1: Putting in Docker and Docker Compose

 
This primary step is vital. Docker have to be put in in your machine earlier than you may run n8n in a container. Earlier than set up, it is vital to grasp the distinction between Docker and Docker Compose. Docker is the core containerization engine that runs containers. Docker Compose is a instrument that orchestrates a number of containers and simplifies configuration by way of YAML recordsdata.

Docker Desktop is offered for Home windows, macOS, and Linux and contains each Docker and Docker Compose, making set up easy.

// Downloading Docker Desktop

→ For Home windows 10/11

• Go to the Docker official web site
• Click on “Obtain for Home windows”
• Select your processor sort: Intel/AMD processors or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)

→ Home windows Set up

• Double-click the Docker Desktop Installer.exe file you downloaded
• A immediate will seem asking for permission; click on “Sure”
• Click on “Subsequent” and comply with the prompts
• This course of might take a number of minutes
• Click on “End”
• Restart your laptop to use the adjustments

After a restart, it is best to see the Docker whale icon in your system tray.

Be aware for Home windows: Docker Desktop requires both Hyper-V or Home windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) to be enabled. The installer will routinely allow these options, however your laptop should assist virtualization. When you have an older Home windows 10 House version, chances are you’ll must improve to Home windows 10 Professional for Hyper-V assist.

// Verifying Docker Set up

No matter your working system, confirm that Docker is put in accurately by opening a terminal (or Command Immediate on Home windows) and operating:

Anticipated Output:

Docker model 28.5.2, construct ecc6942

Additionally, confirm Docker Compose:

Anticipated Output:

Docker Compose model v2.40.3-desktop.1

If you happen to see model numbers, Docker is put in accurately. If you happen to see “command not discovered,” Docker will not be in your system PATH. Restart your terminal or laptop and take a look at once more.

# Step 2: Getting ready Your n8n Listing Construction

 
Now that Docker is prepared, we have to create a house for n8n in your laptop. This step includes creating folders the place n8n will retailer its information, configuration recordsdata, and workflow data.

Docker containers run in remoted environments. To entry recordsdata in your host machine and persist information so your workflows do not disappear when the container restarts, we have to create quantity mount directories in your laptop that the container can entry. Consider it like making a shared folder between your laptop and the Docker container.

// Creating the n8n Undertaking Listing

Open your terminal or command immediate and run these instructions:

Navigate to a handy location; we’ll use the person’s residence listing:

Create an n8n undertaking listing:

Navigate into the listing:

Confirm you are in the appropriate place:

This could present your n8n-docker path. You must see a folder known as n8n-docker in your house listing. This might be your undertaking root the place all n8n configuration and information dwell.

// Creating Information Storage Directories

Contained in the n8n-docker folder, we have to create subdirectories for information persistence:

Create the info listing construction:

mkdir information
mkdir dataworkflows

Confirm that directories had been created:

The listing construction serves the next functions:

• information/ is the principle storage for n8n’s database and configuration
• information/workflows/ is the place your workflow recordsdata are saved
• information/credentials/ is the place encrypted credentials for integrations are saved

You will have now created the principle n8n-docker undertaking listing and arrange subdirectories for information persistence with correct permissions for information entry.

# Step 3: Creating Your Docker Compose Configuration File

 
Docker Compose makes use of YAML, which is a human-readable information format. YAML makes use of indentation (areas) to point out relationships, so indentation have to be precise. Consider it like Python code the place indentation ranges outline the construction.

// Creating the docker-compose.yml File

In your n8n-docker listing, comply with the steps under to create a brand new file known as docker-compose.yml.

Create an empty file:

New-Merchandise -Path "docker-compose.yml" -ItemType File

Open it with Notepad (or your favourite textual content editor):

notepad docker-compose.yml

Alternatively, for Linux customers, create and open the file with:

If you happen to’re utilizing nano, paste the content material under, then press Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter to save lots of.

// Including the Full Docker Compose Configuration

Paste this content material into your docker-compose.yml file:

companies:
  n8n:
    picture: n8nio/n8n:newest
    container_name: n8n
    restart: at all times
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    atmosphere:
      - N8N_HOST=0.0.0.0
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - NODE_ENV=manufacturing
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=changeme123
      - N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=your-secure-encryption-key
    volumes:
      - ./information:/residence/node/.n8n
    networks:
      - n8n-network
    healthcheck:
      check: ["CMD", "wget", "--quiet", "--tries=1", "--spider", "http://localhost:5678/healthz"]
      interval: 30s
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3
      start_period: 40s

networks:
  n8n-network:
    driver: bridge

Let’s break down what every part of this configuration does:

This declares that we’re defining a service known as “n8n”. That is the identify used to reference this container.

picture: n8nio/n8n:newest
container_name: n8n

The picture instruction makes use of the official n8n picture from Docker Hub. The :newest tag downloads the most recent model obtainable, whereas container_name names our operating container “n8n”.

Restart Coverage

This tells Docker to routinely restart the n8n container if it crashes or if the server reboots.

Port Mapping

That is essential for accessing n8n out of your browser:

• Left quantity (5678): The port in your host laptop
• Proper quantity (5678): The port contained in the container

This implies if you entry http://localhost:5678 in your laptop, it connects to port 5678 contained in the n8n container.

Atmosphere Variables

atmosphere:
  - N8N_HOST=0.0.0.0
  - N8N_PORT=5678
  - NODE_ENV=manufacturing
  - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
  - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
  - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=changeme123
  - N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=your-secure-encryption-key

Atmosphere variables configure n8n’s conduct:

• N8N_HOST: Which community interface n8n listens on. 0.0.0.0 means “pay attention on all obtainable interfaces.”
• N8N_PORT: The port n8n runs on contained in the container.
• NODE_ENV: Set to manufacturing for safety hardening and efficiency optimization.
• N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE: Permits fundamental username/password authentication.
• N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER: Username for accessing the n8n interface.
• N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD: Password for accessing the n8n interface (Change this!).
• N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY: Secret key for encrypting credentials and delicate information.

Essential safety word: Change N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD and N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY to robust values! These are credentials that shield your automation workflows and integrations.

Instance safe values:

N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=Pr0t3ctY0urN8n!D0sH3y7k@Safe
N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=aB3xC9dE2fG4hI7jK5lM8nO1pQ4rS6tU9vW2xY5z$#@!%&

Quantity Mounting:

volumes:
  - ./information:/residence/node/.n8n

This creates a bridge between your laptop and the container. The left facet (./information) is the listing in your host machine, and the appropriate facet (/residence/node/.n8n) is the listing contained in the container the place n8n shops all its information.

Why is that this vital?
If the container is deleted or up to date, your workflows and information persist within the ./information folder in your laptop.

This locations the container on a Docker community, which is helpful when you add extra companies later, like a devoted database.

healthcheck:
  check: ["CMD", "wget", "--quiet", "--tries=1", "--spider", "http://localhost:5678/healthz"]
  interval: 30s
  timeout: 10s
  retries: 3
  start_period: 40s

This tells Docker to periodically examine if n8n remains to be operating. It prevents Docker from pondering n8n has crashed throughout a traditional startup.

# Step 4: Creating an Atmosphere File

 
Whereas the Docker Compose file above works, utilizing a separate atmosphere file is a greatest follow for managing delicate data. In the identical n8n-docker listing, create a file named .env.

New-Merchandise -Path ".env" -ItemType File

Open it with Notepad or your built-in improvement atmosphere (IDE):

// Including Your Configuration Variables

Paste this content material into your .env file:

# n8n Configuration
N8N_HOST=0.0.0.0
N8N_PORT=5678
NODE_ENV=manufacturing

# Authentication
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=your_secure_password_here_change_this
N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=your_encryption_key_here_change_this

// Updating Docker Compose to Use the .env File

Modify your docker-compose.yml to reference the .env file. Exchange the atmosphere: part with:

// Understanding the .env File Benefits

Utilizing a .env file offers a number of advantages: delicate information is just not saved immediately in orchestration recordsdata, and you’ll change configurations with out modifying the principle docker-compose.yml.

If you happen to’re utilizing Git model management, by no means commit your .env file to the repository. Create a .gitignore file in your undertaking:

New-Merchandise -Path ".gitignore" -ItemType File

Add .env and information/ to this file to make sure delicate information and native database recordsdata are ignored by Git.

# Step 5: Launching n8n and Accessing It

 
Open your terminal, navigate to your n8n-docker listing, and run the next command to start out n8n within the background:

The -d command runs in “indifferent” mode. If that is your first time, Docker will obtain the n8n picture, which can take a few minutes.

// Monitoring n8n Startup

Verify the logs to see if n8n began efficiently:

docker compose logs -f n8n

// Accessing n8n in Your Browser

Open your internet browser and navigate to http://localhost:5678. You will note a setup display screen; enter the credentials you set in your .env file. After logging in, you will see the n8n workflow editor.

Picture by Creator

The n8n interface incorporates all obtainable nodes (Slack, Gmail, HTTP requests, logic nodes, and so on.), a workflow space for constructing automations, and configuration choices for chosen nodes.

To confirm your n8n container is wholesome, run:

# Managing Your n8n Container

 
Now that n8n is operating, listed here are the vital instructions you will use usually:

• Viewing Reside Logs: See what’s taking place contained in the container in real-time.

  docker compose logs -f n8n

   
  Press Ctrl+C to exit.

• Stopping n8n: Gracefully cease the container whereas preserving your information.

   

• Updating n8n: Pull the most recent n8n picture and restart.

  docker compose pull n8n
  docker compose up -d

   

# Constructing Your First Workflow

 
Let’s create a easy workflow that listens for incoming webhook requests, extracts information, and sends a message to Slack.

Within the n8n interface:

• Click on the “+” button to create a brand new workflow
• Click on on “New Workflow”

// Including a Webhook Node

• Within the left sidebar, seek for “Webhook”
• Drag the Webhook node onto your canvas
• Within the node settings, choose POST for the tactic and enter send-slack-message as the trail
• Click on “Save”

// Including a Slack Node

• Seek for “Slack” and drag the node onto your canvas
• Join the Webhook node to the Slack node
• Configure the Slack node along with your bot token and goal channel

// Activating the Workflow

• Click on “Execute” to check the connection
• If profitable, toggle the workflow to “Energetic”
• Copy the webhook URL to make use of as your set off

# Conclusion

 
You now have a completely practical, self-hosted n8n automation platform operating in Docker. You will have realized easy methods to set up Docker and Docker Compose, create a correct listing construction for information persistence, and configure n8n. You will have additionally arrange authentication and safety, accessed the online interface, and created your first workflow.

The great thing about this setup is its portability and scalability. With just some instructions, you may transfer n8n to a distinct server or improve to a more moderen model. From right here, your automation journey has limitless prospects.
 
 

Shittu Olumide is a software program engineer and technical author captivated with leveraging cutting-edge applied sciences to craft compelling narratives, with a eager eye for element and a knack for simplifying complicated ideas. You can even discover Shittu on Twitter.