Run your own n8n automation server with Docker

Install Docker

Docker runs n8n in its own container, which keeps it separate from the rest of the server and makes upgrades simple.

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sudo sh
sudo docker --version

Describe the n8n service

Create a folder and a file named docker-compose.yml inside it. The named volume keeps your workflows when the container is replaced.

services:
  n8n:
    image: docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - GENERIC_TIMEZONE=Asia/Dhaka
      - TZ=Asia/Dhaka
      - N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n

volumes:
  n8n_data:

N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false allows plain HTTP sign-in, so use it only for testing on your own network. Before anyone uses it from the internet, put n8n behind HTTPS and remove that line.

Start n8n

Run this from the folder that holds the file, then check that the container stays up.

sudo docker compose up -d
sudo docker compose ps

Open the editor and create the owner account

Browse to http://SERVER_IP:5678 and create the owner account with a strong password. If the page does not open, allow port 5678 through the server's firewall for your office network only.

sudo ufw allow from 192.168.10.0/24 to any port 5678

Know how to update and back up

Updating pulls the new image and recreates the container, and your data stays in the volume. Back up the volume before major upgrades, because it holds your workflows and encrypted credentials.

sudo docker compose pull
sudo docker compose up -d