In today’s fast-paced digital world, workflow automation is no longer a competitive advantage—it is a necessity. Numerous tools exist for this purpose, but n8n, as a powerful open-source automation platform, has gained significant attention.
If you are looking to better understand what n8n is, what it is used for, and how you can easily install it, this comprehensive guide is for you. In this article, we provide a full introduction to n8n and explain how to install it—especially using an automated installation script.
Part One: Complete Introduction to n8n – A Powerful Workflow Automation Tool
What Is n8n?
n8n is an open-source, self-hosted workflow automation platform. It allows you to connect different services, applications, and APIs to automate repetitive tasks—without requiring deep programming knowledge.
n8n is often considered a flexible and powerful alternative to tools like Zapier or Make, with one key difference: you retain full control over your data and infrastructure.
With n8n’s visual and intuitive interface, you can easily design, manage, and execute complex workflows.
Core Concepts in n8n
To better understand how n8n works, it is important to know its fundamental building blocks:
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Nodes
The core components of any workflow. Each node performs a specific task, such as reading emails, adding rows to Google Sheets, sending Slack messages, or executing JavaScript code. n8n offers hundreds of built-in nodes as well as generic nodes for custom logic. -
Connections
Lines that link nodes together and define the data flow and execution order. -
Workflows
A collection of nodes and connections that together form a complete automation process—from simple automations to highly complex systems. -
Triggers
Special nodes that determine when a workflow starts, such as receiving a webhook, running on a schedule (Cron), or manual execution. -
Credentials
A secure storage system for authentication details like API keys and access tokens used to connect external services.
Key Use Cases of n8n
Thanks to its flexibility, n8n can be used in almost any automation scenario. Common use cases include:
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Data synchronization between platforms
Automatically transfer data between CRMs, email marketing tools, databases, and more. -
Automation of routine tasks
Send automated emails, create tasks in project management tools (such as Trello or Jira), or generate scheduled reports. -
Notification systems
Send instant alerts to Slack, Telegram, or email based on specific events (e.g., new orders or server errors). -
Data processing and transformation
Extract data from APIs, CSV files, or websites; clean and transform it; and load it into a target system. -
Webhook and lightweight API creation
Receive data from external services and trigger workflows accordingly. -
Marketing and sales automation
Manage leads, send follow-up messages, and update customer status in CRM systems.
Why Choose n8n? Key Advantages
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Open-source and free (Community Edition)
Full access to the source code with no subscription fees. -
Self-hosted deployment
Complete control over data privacy and infrastructure—ideal for security-sensitive organizations. -
Exceptional flexibility
Build highly customized workflows, including JavaScript logic via the Function node. -
User-friendly interface
Drag-and-drop workflow design without complexity. -
Active community and strong support
Abundant tutorials, documentation, and community assistance. -
Extensibility
Ability to create custom nodes for specialized use cases.
Part Two: Complete Guide to Installing n8n (Multiple Methods)
To start using n8n, you first need to install it. Several installation methods are available, including npm, n8n.cloud, and the recommended approach: Docker-based installation.
Docker simplifies dependency management, updates, and long-term maintenance.
In this section, we focus on fast installation of n8n on a Linux server using an automated script.
Fast n8n Installation Using the n8n-autoinstall Script (Recommended)
The n8n-autoinstall script available on GitHub dramatically simplifies setting up a self-hosted n8n instance on Linux servers (Ubuntu and Debian).
This script uses:
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Docker and Docker Compose to run n8n
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Nginx as a reverse proxy
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Let’s Encrypt to enable free HTTPS (SSL)
Installation Requirements
Before starting, ensure you have:
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A Linux server (VPS or dedicated), preferably Ubuntu 20.04 or later
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Root or sudo access
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A domain or subdomain pointing to your server IP (e.g.,
n8n.yourdomain.com) -
SSH access to the server
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Git installed:
Step-by-Step Installation
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Connect to your server via SSH
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Clone the installation script
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Grant execution permission
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Run the installer
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Answer the prompted questions, including:
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Domain name
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Email address (used for SSL certificate issuance and renewal)
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Optional username and password for HTTP Basic Authentication (extra security)
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What the Script Does Behind the Scenes
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Docker & Docker Compose
n8n runs in an isolated container. Docker volumes ensure your workflows and credentials persist. -
Nginx (Reverse Proxy)
Handles incoming requests and securely routes them to the n8n container. -
Let’s Encrypt SSL
Automatically issues and renews free SSL certificates using Certbot.
Accessing n8n
Once installation is complete, open your browser and visit your domain:
If Basic Auth is enabled, enter your credentials. You will then be redirected to the n8n interface to create your primary admin account.
Final Thoughts: Automation Power in Your Hands
n8n is an exceptional solution for workflow automation and service integration. Its open-source nature and self-hosting capabilities provide unmatched flexibility, control, and data ownership.
Whether you are a developer, marketer, or product manager, n8n can help you save time, reduce human error, and significantly boost productivity. With multiple installation options—and especially with the n8n-autoinstall script—deploying a secure, production-ready n8n instance has never been easier.
Install n8n today and transform the way you automate your workflows. 🚀
