How to Install and Use n8n Locally: A Complete Guide |QualityPoint Technologies (QPT)

If you’re exploring automation tools, n8n (short for “nodemation”) is one of the most powerful open-source platforms you’ll come across. It allows you to connect different apps and services to build custom workflows — similar to Zapier or Integromat, but with more flexibility and without steep pricing.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to set up and run n8n locally on your system.

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🔹 What is n8n?

n8n is a workflow automation tool that lets you connect APIs, apps, and custom logic through a simple visual interface. Some key highlights:

Open-source (self-host it for free).
Supports 350+ integrations (and you can build custom nodes).
Flexible: Use JavaScript code snippets inside workflows.
Self-hosted: Run it locally, on a server, or in Docker.

Running n8n locally is a great option for:

Learning automation workflows.
Testing integrations before deploying to production.
Keeping your data private.

🔹 System Requirements

Before installing n8n, make sure you have:

Operating System: Linux, macOS, or Windows
Node.js: v18 or higher (recommended)
npm or yarn package manager
Database (optional): By default, n8n uses SQLite, but you can configure PostgreSQL or MySQL for production setups

🔹 Installation Options

You can install and run n8n locally in three main ways:

Direct installation using npm
Using Docker (recommended for most users)
Using n8n desktop app (simple but limited to personal use)

1. Install n8n via npm

This is the simplest method for developers already using Node.js.

Steps:

Install n8n globally:
```
npm install n8n -g
```
Start n8n:
```
n8n
```
By default, it runs at:
```
http://localhost:5678
```
Open your browser and log in using the credentials (you’ll be prompted to create one if it’s your first run).

2. Install n8n with Docker

Docker is the most stable and production-ready way to run n8n locally.

Steps:

Pull the n8n image:
```
docker pull n8nio/n8n
```
Run n8n container:
```
docker run -it --rm \
-p 5678:5678 \
-v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
n8nio/n8n
```
- -p 5678:5678 → maps n8n to port 5678
- -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n → persists your data locally
Open n8n in browser at:
```
http://localhost:5678
```

3. Use n8n Desktop App

For non-developers, the n8n desktop app is the easiest way.

Steps:

Download the app from n8n.io desktop releases.
Install it like any other software (Windows .exe, macOS .dmg, Linux .AppImage).
Open the app → it automatically runs n8n on your machine.

🔹 First-Time Setup

When you first launch n8n:

You’ll be asked to create an account (username + password).
Configure encryption key (for securing credentials).
Once logged in, you’ll see the workflow editor.

🔹 Creating Your First Workflow

Let’s create a simple workflow to test your setup.

Example: Send yourself an email when a new GitHub issue is created.

Add GitHub Trigger → Choose event: Issue Created.
Connect GitHub Account → Authenticate using OAuth or Personal Access Token.
Add Gmail Node → Choose action: Send Email.
Connect GitHub → Gmail.
Save and activate workflow.

Now, whenever a new issue is created in your GitHub repo, n8n will automatically send you an email!

🔹 Environment Variables & Configuration

You can configure n8n using environment variables. Some important ones:

N8N_PORT=5678 → Change port
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true → Enable basic auth
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=user → Set username
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=pass → Set password
N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=your-secret-key → Secure credentials

Example (npm):


export N8N_PORT=8080
n8n

Example (Docker):


docker run -it --rm \
  -p 8080:5678 \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=1234 \
  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

🔹 Persisting Data

By default, workflows and credentials are stored in SQLite. If you run n8n via npm or desktop app, this happens automatically.

For Docker, make sure to mount a volume (-v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n) so your workflows don’t disappear after stopping the container.

For production, consider switching to PostgreSQL or MySQL.

🔹 Best Practices for Local Usage

Use the desktop app for quick testing.
Use npm install if you’re a developer.
Use Docker if you want persistence, security, and easy migration to server later.
Always set up authentication (N8N_BASIC_AUTH) to avoid open access.

🔹 Conclusion

Running n8n locally is simple and powerful. Whether you’re just experimenting or preparing for production deployment, n8n gives you full control over your workflows and data.

✅ For beginners → Desktop app
✅ For developers → npm installation
✅ For advanced users → Docker with database + env configs

With n8n running locally, you now have your own personal automation hub — ready to connect apps, APIs, and data seamlessly.

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QualityPoint Technologies (QPT)

Monday, September 8, 2025