Installing n8n Using Docker: Complete & Easy Guide

n8n is a powerful open-source workflow automation tool that lets you connect apps, build automation workflows, and streamline repetitive tasks. Using Docker is one of the most reliable and flexible ways to install and run n8n, whether on Windows, macOS, or Linux.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

• System requirements

• Installing Docker

• Running n8n with Docker

• Securing your installation

• Managing the n8n container

• Practical use cases once n8n is running

This lets you set up n8n quickly with persistent storage and proper configuration for development or production environments.

Before you start, make sure your system meets the basic requirements:

• CPU: Dual-core or better

• RAM: Minimum 2 GB (4 GB recommended)

• Disk Space: At least 10 GB free

• Docker: Latest stable version installed

• Optional: Docker Compose (for multi-container setups)

Running n8n inside Docker simplifies dependency management and gives you a consistent environment across systems.

Windows

1. Download and install Docker Desktop from the official Docker website.
2. On Windows 10/11, enable the WSL2 backend for best performance.
3. Confirm installation: docker --version

macOS

1. Install Docker using Homebrew: brew install --cask docker
2. Confirm Docker is installed: docker --version

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

1. Update packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2. Install Docker Engine: sudo apt install docker.io -y
3. Enable and start Docker: sudo systemctl enable --now docker
4. Confirm installation: docker --version
5. Having Docker installed ensures you have a container runtime that can run the n8n image smoothly across all environments.

With Docker installed, it’s time to run n8n:

Basic Docker Command

Open a terminal or command prompt and run:

docker run -d --name n8n \

  -p 5678:5678 \

  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \

  n8nio/n8n

Here’s what this command does:

• Downloads the n8n Docker image

• Runs the container in the background (-d)

• Maps port 5678 to your machine so you can access n8n

• Mounts a volume for persistent data at ~/.n8n

Now open your browser and visit: http://localhost:5678 You should see the n8n dashboard ready to use.

For production or shared systems, it’s important to secure your n8n instance.

Create a .env File

Create a file named .env and add:

N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true

N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin

N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=securepassword

Then run n8n with these settings:

docker run -d --name n8n \

  --env-file ./.env \

  -p 5678:5678 \

  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \

  n8nio/n8n

This ensures your n8n editor is protected with a username and password.

Security Note: Always avoid running an unsecured n8n instance on a public network without authentication.

Once the container is running, open a browser and navigate to:

http://localhost:5678

This is your n8n dashboard where you can start creating workflows, connecting apps, and automating processes.

Here are basic Docker commands to manage your n8n instance:

• Stop n8n docker stop n8n
• Restart n8n docker start n8n
• Remove the container docker rm n8n
• Pull the latest n8n image docker pull n8nio/n8n

These commands help you maintain, update, and troubleshoot your containerized n8n installation.

Do I Need Docker Compose?

If you are deploying more complex setups (e.g., PostgreSQL database, reverse proxy, multiple services), using Docker Compose makes your configuration easier and more maintainable. It also allows cleaner scaling and environment variable management.

How Do I Persist Data?

The -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n volume mount ensures all workflows, credentials, and execution data are stored even after the container restarts.

Once n8n is installed and running via Docker, you can start automating a variety of tasks:

1. Automate Travel Bookings & Alerts Sync booking confirmations, send itinerary updates, and monitor supplier notifications.

2. CRM & Lead Management Automatically capture leads, follow up via emails, and update pipelines.

3. Marketing Automation Build workflows for campaigns, audience segmentation, and engagement tracking.

4. Cross-App Data Sync Seamlessly synchronize data between tools like Google Sheets, Airtable, Slack, and HubSpot.

5. Error Monitoring & Alerts Configure automated alerts for API failures or task errors.

These practical use cases show the power of n8n automation across teams and industries.

Installing n8n using Docker is one of the simplest and most flexible ways to get started with workflow automation. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, this guide helps you install, secure, and manage your n8n instance efficiently. With persistent data storage and easy configuration, Docker makes deploying n8n reliable and repeatable.

Ready to build smarter automation and integrate workflows across your business? Contact us to leverage our development and automation expertise.