n8n Installation: Self-Hosted Automation with Docker and Nginx on Ubuntu

In this guide, you will learn how to run n8n securely on your own server.
We will do a production-ready installation with Docker, PostgreSQL, Nginx and HTTPS.

What Will You Learn in This Guide?

• Installing n8n on Ubuntu with Docker Compose
• Persistent data storage using PostgreSQL
• Providing secure access via HTTPS with Nginx
• Creating and testing the first workflow

What is n8n and Why is it Used?

n8n is an open source workflow automation platform.
It allows you to link services together with a visual editor.

Unlike SaaS tools, it runs on your own infrastructure.
This way you get data privacy and full control.

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Installation Prerequisites

Before you start, you should have the following ready:

• Ubuntu 22.04 or newer server
• A domain name pointed to the server
• User with authority sudo
• Docker and Docker Compose

For Docker installation:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y

• This command installs Docker and Docker Compose.

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1. Creating the Docker Compose Configuration

1. Create a folder for n8n services:

mkdir ~/n8n && cd ~/n8n
nano docker-compose.yml

• This command creates the project directory and opens the configuration file.

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Add the following configuration:

version: "3.7"

services:
  db:
    image: postgres:14
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: n8n
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: n8npass
      POSTGRES_DB: n8n
    volumes:
      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data

  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      DB_TYPE: postgresdb
      DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST: db
      DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE: n8n
      DB_POSTGRESDB_USER: n8n
      DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD: n8npass
      N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE: "true"
      N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER: admin
      N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD: strongpass
      N8N_HOST: n8n.ornek.com
      WEBHOOK_TUNNEL_URL: https://n8n.ornek.com
    depends_on:
      - db
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n

volumes:
  postgres_data:
  n8n_data:

• This structure runs PostgreSQL and n8n services together.

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2. Starting the n8n Service

1. Run containers in the background:

docker-compose up -d

• This command starts n8n and PostgreSQL services.

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For access from browser:

http://sunucu_ip:5678

• If HTTPS is not available, the browser may give a warning.

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3. Security with Nginx and HTTPS

1. HTTPS is mandatory in the production environment.

Nginx and Certbot Installation

sudo apt install nginx certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y

• This command installs Nginx and Let's Encrypt tools.

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Nginx Reverse Proxy Setting

server {
  listen 80;
  server_name n8n.ornek.com;

  location / {
    proxy_pass http://localhost:5678;
    proxy_set_header Host $host;
    proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
    proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
  }
}

• This structure puts Nginx in front of n8n as a reverse proxy.

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Activate:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/n8n /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl reload nginx

Obtaining an SSL Certificate

sudo certbot --nginx -d n8n.ornek.com

• This command retrieves the HTTPS certificate and automatically identifies it.

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4. Creating the First n8n Workflow

• After logging into the interface:

1. Create New Workflow

2. Add webhook trigger

3. HTTP Method: POST

• Path: test-webhook

-Add a Set node next to it. Type "Hello from n8n!" as the value.

For testing:

curl -X POST https://n8n.ornek.com/webhook/test-webhook

• This command triggers the workflow.

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Sample Usage Scenario

• With n8n the following can be done automatically:

1. Server monitoring with UptimeRobot

2. Automatic restart when the service crashes

3. Slack and WhatsApp notifications

4. Cloudflare DNS or SSL update

5. In this way, manual intervention is reduced.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why should n8n be installed with Docker? Installation, updating and backup become easier.

2. Why PostgreSQL instead of SQLite? More stable and scalable in production.

3. Does it work without HTTPS? It works, but it's not secure.

4. Do Workflows run in parallel? Yes, they run simultaneously if there are enough resources.

5. How to backup? Back up Docker volumes regularly.

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Result

You have installed n8n securely and scalably on Ubuntu. You can now manage automation processes in your own infrastructure.

You can try GenixNode infrastructure now for high performance and secure servers 🚀