n8n

Overview

n8n is a fair-code, node-based workflow automation tool. Instead of writing glue code to connect your CRM, email, databases, and IoT devices, you wire nodes together on a visual canvas — and drop into JavaScript or Python whenever a step needs custom logic.

Because it is self-hostable, your data and credentials stay on your own infrastructure, unlike fully managed SaaS automation platforms.

This guide covers core concepts, self-hosting, your first workflow, and AI agents.

Information

In a world where seamless digital integration is no longer a luxury but a necessity, businesses and developers alike grapple with myriad tools to streamline processes and enhance productivity. Enter n8n — an open-source, node-based tool that promises to revolutionize the way we think about workflow automation. Imagine a world where your CRM, email platform, social media, and even IoT devices can effortlessly talk to each other, where manual data transfer becomes a relic of the past, and where workflows become as customizable as a Lego set. This isn’t a vision from a distant future; this is the present brought to life by n8n.

Concepts

Term	Meaning
Node	A single step — a trigger, API call, transform, or condition
Trigger	The node that starts a workflow (schedule, webhook, app event)
Workflow	The connected graph of nodes that runs start to finish
Item	A JSON object of data passed between nodes
Credential	Stored, reusable auth for a connected service
Execution	One run of a workflow, with a full log of node inputs/outputs

Data flows node to node as JSON items — each node operates on the items it receives from the previous one.

Self-Host

The simplest deployment is Docker:

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    container_name: n8n
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - N8N_HOST=n8n.kbve.com
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - N8N_PROTOCOL=https
      - WEBHOOK_URL=https://n8n.kbve.com/
      - GENERIC_TIMEZONE=America/New_York
    volumes:
      - ./n8n-data:/home/node/.n8n
    restart: unless-stopped

Tip

The default SQLite store is fine for a home lab. For production, point n8n at Postgres and, at scale, enable queue mode with a Redis-backed worker pool so executions run concurrently.

First Workflow

1. Add a trigger Every workflow starts with a trigger node — a Schedule (cron), a Webhook, or an app event like “new row in a database.”

2. Add action nodes Search the node panel for the service you want (HTTP Request, Slack, Postgres, Gmail) and connect it to the trigger.

3. Map the data Use expressions like {{ $json.email }} to pull fields from the previous node’s items into the next node’s parameters.

4. Test and activate Click Execute Workflow to test with live data, inspect each node’s output, then toggle Active to run it automatically on the trigger.

Agents

n8n ships AI / LangChain nodes, including an AI Agent node that can call language models, use tools, and query vector stores — letting an agent take actions across your connected services.

• Video 1
• Video 2

FAQ

What is n8n? n8n is a fair-code, node-based workflow automation tool that connects apps, APIs, databases, and services into automated workflows. You build flows visually by wiring nodes together, with the option to drop into JavaScript or Python for custom logic.

Is n8n free and open source? n8n is fair-code under the Sustainable Use License. You can self-host it for free, including commercial internal use. It is source-available rather than strictly OSI open source, and also offers a paid cloud and enterprise tier.

How do I self-host n8n? The simplest route is Docker — run the n8nio/n8n image with a persisted volume, set N8N_HOST and a webhook URL, and expose port 5678 behind a TLS reverse proxy. For production use Postgres and, at scale, queue mode with a Redis worker pool.

What is the difference between a node and a workflow? A node is a single step; a workflow is the connected graph of nodes that runs start to finish. Data flows between nodes as JSON items.

Can n8n run AI agents? Yes. n8n ships AI/LangChain nodes including an AI Agent node that can call language models, use tools, and query vector stores, wired to your workflow data and other nodes.