n8n

What is n8n?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that lets you connect different apps and services with custom logic, without writing code. It supports hundreds of integrations and allows you to automate repetitive tasks, data transfers, notifications, and more.

Key Features

• Open Source: Self-hosted and free to use.
• Visual Workflow Editor: Drag-and-drop interface for building automations.
• Extensible: Supports custom JavaScript code and community nodes.
• Integrations: Connects with popular services like Slack, GitHub, Google Sheets, and many more.
• Triggers & Schedulers: Automate workflows based on events or schedules.

Deploying n8n with Docker Compose

Below is a sample docker-compose.yml to quickly get n8n running:

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    container_name: n8n
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "127.0.0.1:5678:5678"
    environment:
      - N8N_RUNNERS_ENABLED=true
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - GENERIC_TIMEZONE="UTC"
      - TZ="UTC"
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
      - ./local-files:/files

volumes:
  n8n_data:

Start the service with:

docker-compose up -d

Accessing n8n

Once started, open http://localhost:5678 in your browser. You’ll see the n8n editor UI, where you can start building workflows.

Example: Creating a Simple Workflow

1. Click New Workflow.
2. Add a Trigger node (e.g., Webhook or Cron).
3. Add an Action node (e.g., Send Email, HTTP Request).
4. Connect the nodes and activate the workflow.

Security Tips

• By default, n8n runs without authentication. Set up basic auth or use a reverse proxy for production.
• Restrict access to the port (as in the example, only localhost is exposed).
• Regularly back up your workflow data.

Useful Links

• n8n Documentation
• n8n GitHub
• Community Forum

n8n is a powerful tool for automating tasks and integrating services. With Docker, you can get started in minutes and customize it to fit your needs.