What is n8n? How to Run n8n Locally

Discover n8n, an open-source workflow automation tool! This tutorial explains what n8n is and how to run it locally with Docker for private, cost-free workflows.

Ashley Goolam

Ashley Goolam

10 June 2025

What is n8n? How to Run n8n Locally

Hey, automation fans! Ready to streamline your life with n8n, the open-source workflow tool that’s like Zapier’s cooler, self-hosted cousin? Whether you’re a dev, marketer, or just love connecting apps, n8n lets you automate tasks with a slick drag-and-drop interface—no coding required! I set it up locally in 10 minutes, and it’s a game-changer for tasks like syncing Slack notifications or building AI agents. In this tutorial, I’ll explain what n8n is, walk you through running it locally with Docker Desktop, and show you how to test your very first AI agent. Let’s get automating!

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What is n8n? Your Automation Superpower

n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is an open-source workflow automation platform that connects apps, APIs, and services to automate repetitive tasks. You can think of it as a visual pipeline where you drag “nodes” to create workflows, like sending emails when a Google Form is submitted or syncing data between Trello and Google Sheets. Here’s why n8n rocks:

n8n

Users call n8n “insanely flexible” for automating business and personal tasks without code. Ready to try it? Let’s run it locally!

Why Run n8n Locally?

Running n8n on your machine is perfect for testing, learning, or private projects. Benefits include:

Downsides? Local setups can’t handle webhooks from SaaS platforms like Stripe without extra config, and your machine must stay on. For now, let’s focus on a simple local setup with Docker Desktop.

How to Run n8n Locally: Step-by-Step Guide

I’ll guide you through running n8n locally using Docker Desktop, the easiest way to ensure isolation and persistence. I tested this on Windows, but it works on macOS and Linux too. Let’s roll!

1. Install Prerequisites

You’ll need:

Download Docker Desktop from docker.com, install it, and verify it’s running:

docker --version

2. Install n8n with Docker Desktop

search n8n

Alternatively, use the terminal:

docker pull n8nio/n8n

3. Create a Data Directory

To save workflows and settings, create a folder for n8n’s data:

4. Run n8n with Docker

run docker image
configure n8n

For added security, enable basic auth via terminal:

docker run -d --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=yourpassword -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n n8nio/n8n

5. Access and Create an n8n Account

open n8n in browser
register for an account
n8n interface

6. Test n8n with an AI Agent

test n8n
n8n demo project
google gemini api key
successful n8n test

7. Stop or Update n8n

To stop n8n:

stop n8n
docker stop n8n
docker rm n8n

To update:

docker pull n8nio/n8n

Optional: Run n8n with npm (Alternative Method)

Prefer a non-Docker setup? Install n8n via npm, though Docker’s simpler.

  1. Install Node.js (18.17.0+) from nodejs.org. Verify:
node -v
npm -v
  1. Install n8n globally:
npm install -g n8n
  1. Start n8n:
n8n start
  1. Access at http://localhost:5678.

Note: npm setups don’t auto-restart on crashes and may face dependency issues. Docker’s my go-to!

Customizing n8n: Level Up Your Setup

Want to make n8n your own? Try these tweaks:

n8n with ollama

I added a custom Google Sheets node, and it synced my data like magic!

Real-World Use Cases for n8n

n8n is crazy versatile. Here’s what I and other users are automating:

I set up a workflow to save Gmail attachments to Dropbox—took 7 minutes and saved me hours!

Troubleshooting n8n Issues

sudo chown -R 1000:1000 ~/.n8n
sudo chmod -R 755 ~/.n8n

Why n8n is Worth Your Time

n8n is a powerhouse for automation, blending flexibility, privacy, and ease of use. The Docker Desktop setup is a breeze, and the node-based UI makes workflows—like your AI agent—fun to build. Sure, local setups have limits (like webhook challenges), but for testing or private projects, it’s unbeatable. Compared to Zapier, n8n’s self-hosting and open-source vibe give it an edge for cost and control.

Ready to automate your world? Spin up n8n and share your workflows on the n8n Forum—I can’t wait to see what you create!

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