🚀 A complete guide to easily building and utilizing n8n with Docker Compose

🌟 What is n8n?

n8n is an open source workflow automation tool that connects 200+ services (Google Sheets, Slack, Telegram, etc.) to automate complex tasks.
✅ Codeless interface ✅ Self-hosted available ✅ Highly scalable node-based structure 🔥 Think of it as a business-grade version of “If This Then That (IFTTT)”!

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🐳 Why install with Docker Compose?

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⚙️ Preparation

1. Install Docker See official documentation

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

2. Create a directory

   mkdir n8n-docker && cd n8n-docker

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🛠️ write docker-compose.yml (basic)

version: '3.8'

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    restart: always
    ports:
      - "5678:5678" # Web interface ports.
    environment:
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin # 🔑 username
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=securepassword123! # 🔒 Password
    volumes:
      - N8N_DATA:/home/node/.N8N # Ensure data persistence.
    networks:
      - n8n_network

volumes:
  n8n_data: # Create volumes

networks:
  n8n_network:

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🔥 Advanced Settings (DB + HTTPS)

version: '3.8'

services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:13
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: n8n_user
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: db_password123!
      POSTGRES_DB: n8n_db
    volumes:
      - pg_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data

  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    depends_on:
      - postgres
    environment:
      DB_TYPE: postgresdb
      DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE: n8n_db
      DB_POSTGRESDB_USER: n8n_user
      DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD: db_password123!
      DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST: postgres
      N8N_HOST: yourdomain.com # 🌐 Domain Settings
      N8N_PROTOCOL: https # 🔐 Force HTTPS
      VUE_APP_URL_BASE_API: https://yourdomain.com/
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
    ports:
      - "443:5678" # HTTPS standard port mapping

volumes:
  n8n_data:
  pg_data:

# 💡 Tip: Add an Nginx reverse proxy for extra security!

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🚀 Run and stop commands

# start
docker-compose up -d

# Check the status
docker-compose ps

# View logs
docker-compose logs -f n8n

# Stop (preserve data)
docker-compose down

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📍 Initial Setup Guide

1. Enter the Access Address: http://서버IP:5678
2. Create a workflow
   • ➕ Set trigger (starting point) with Add Node
   • 🔗 Connect nodes to configure automation flow
   • Example: Receive Gmail → Send Slack notification
3. **Save Credentials 🔐 Securely manage your integration service API keys!

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⚠️ Precautions & Optimization Tips

1. **Security enhancements
   • Require basic authentication (N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true)
   • Encrypt sensitive data by setting N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY.
2. backup strategy

   # backup volume data
   docker run --rm -v n8n_data:/source -v $(pwd):/backup busybox tar cvf /backup/n8n_backup.tar /source

3. **Resource Limitations

   # Add docker-compose.yml
   deploy:
   Resources:
   limits:
     cpus: '1.0'
     memory: 2G

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🎯 Finish

> “n8n + Docker Compose = infinite automation possibilities” 🚀 Increase business efficiency by 200%. 💡 Save money compared to commercial tools (Free to self-host!) 🔧 Flexible customization possible

Start automating your daily tasks with the infrastructure you configure today. Your time is already being saved on your first successful workflow run!

> ✨ Recommended next steps: > – Learn advanced nodes from the official documentation > – Set up GitHub integration to notify you when code is pushed > – Implement a workflow to automatically generate daily reports

If you have any questions, please leave a comment. May your IT infrastructure grow with you! 😊 D