How to Self-Host n8n with Docker Compose

intermediate

What is n8n?

n8n (pronounced “nodemation”) is a workflow automation tool that connects apps and services together. It’s the self-hosted alternative to Zapier, Make, and IFTTT. Build automated workflows with a visual node-based editor — no coding required. “When I get a new email with an attachment, save it to Nextcloud and notify me on Telegram” — that’s an n8n workflow.

Prerequisites

Docker Compose Configuration

# docker-compose.yml for n8n
# Tested with n8n 1.30+


services:
  n8n:
    container_name: n8n
    image: docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n:latest
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/home/node/.n8n
    environment:
      - N8N_HOST=localhost
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - N8N_PROTOCOL=http
      - WEBHOOK_URL=https://n8n.yourdomain.com/
      - GENERIC_TIMEZONE=America/New_York
      # Database (default is SQLite, use Postgres for production)
      # - DB_TYPE=postgresdb
      # - DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=db
      # - DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=5432
      # - DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8n
      # - DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=n8n
      # - DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=${DB_PASSWORD}
    restart: unless-stopped

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. Create a directory:

    Terminal window
    mkdir ~/n8n && cd ~/n8n

  2. Create the docker-compose.yml with the config above.

  3. Start the container:

    Terminal window
    docker compose up -d

  4. Access the editor at http://your-server-ip:5678

  5. Create your account on first visit.

  6. Build your first workflow:

    • Click “Add workflow”
    • Add a trigger node (Schedule, Webhook, Email, etc.)
    • Add action nodes (HTTP request, send email, save file, etc.)
    • Connect them and activate

Configuration Tips

  • Webhook URL: Set WEBHOOK_URL to your public domain so external services can trigger workflows. Requires a reverse proxy with HTTPS. See our reverse proxy guide.
  • PostgreSQL for production: SQLite works for small setups, but switch to Postgres for reliability with many workflows.
  • Credentials: n8n stores API keys and service credentials encrypted in its database. The encryption key is in ~/.n8n/config.
  • Community nodes: Install community-built nodes for services not included by default.
  • Executions: Configure execution retention in settings — by default, n8n keeps all execution history, which can grow large.

Backup & Migration

  • Backup: The data folder contains workflows, credentials (encrypted), and execution history. For PostgreSQL setups, back up the database separately.
  • Export/Import: Export individual workflows as JSON from the n8n UI. Useful for sharing or version control.

Troubleshooting

  • Webhooks not triggering: Ensure WEBHOOK_URL is set correctly, HTTPS is working, and the webhook URL is publicly accessible.
  • High memory usage: Complex workflows with large data sets consume memory. Optimize by processing data in batches.
  • Credential errors: If you move n8n to a new server, credentials may fail to decrypt if the encryption key changed. Back up ~/.n8n/config.

Alternatives

Activepieces is a newer alternative with a cleaner UI and simpler setup. Node-RED is more IoT-focused with a different programming model. See our n8n vs Activepieces comparison or the full Best Self-Hosted Automation Tools roundup.

Verdict

n8n is the most capable self-hosted automation platform. It has 400+ integrations, a powerful visual editor, and handles everything from simple triggers to complex multi-step workflows. If you’re paying for Zapier or Make, n8n does everything they do — for free.