How to install n8n on Ubuntu

What is n8n?

n8n is a free tool that links apps together. For example, it can save an email attachment to a folder, or send you a message when a form is filled in. These chains of jobs are called workflows. Ubuntu is a popular Linux system for servers.

We will run n8n inside Docker. Docker is a tool that packs a program and everything it needs into a neat box called a container. This keeps the install clean.

Steps

1. Connect to your server with SSH. Log in as root or use sudo.
2. Update the package list:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This refreshes the list of software and installs updates.

3. Install Docker:

sudo apt install -y docker.io

4. Start Docker now and every time the server restarts:

sudo systemctl enable --now docker

5. Create a place to keep n8n data:

sudo docker volume create n8n_data

A volume is a storage area that stays safe even if you remove the container.

6. Run n8n:

sudo docker run -d --name n8n --restart unless-stopped -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n

This downloads n8n and starts it in the background. Port 5678 is the numbered door n8n uses.

7. Check that it is running:

sudo docker ps

8. Open your browser and go to http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:5678. Use the IP address from your welcome email.
9. Create your owner account on the first screen.

If the page does not open

Your firewall may block port 5678. On Ubuntu with UFW, allow it:

sudo ufw allow 5678/tcp

This opens that port.

Make it safer

Plain http is not encrypted. For real use, put n8n behind a web server such as Nginx with an SSL certificate (the padlock that encrypts traffic). Then use your own domain name. Do not leave port 5678 open to everyone for long.

Quick recap

• n8n connects apps and automates tasks.
• Install Docker, then run the n8n container.
• Open port 5678 and visit your server IP.
• Add SSL and a domain before using it for real work.
• Back up the data volume.