1. What is n8n?

An overview of n8n as an open-source workflow automation tool.

8m Lesson 1 of 5

n8n (pronounced "nodemation") is a fair-code licensed workflow automation tool that lets you connect anything to everything. Unlike closed-source alternatives, n8n gives you full control over your data, infrastructure, and code.

Why n8n?

- Self-hostable: Run it on your own server for complete data privacy
- 400+ integrations: Connect to popular services out of the box
- Code when you need it: Use JavaScript/Python for custom logic
- Fair-code license: Free to use, modify, and distribute
- Active community: Thousands of shared workflow templates

The n8n Ecosystem

n8n consists of several components: - n8n Editor: The visual workflow builder (what you'll use most) - n8n CLI: Command-line tools for managing workflows - n8n Cloud: Managed hosting by the n8n team - Community: Forums, Discord, and shared templates

Code Examples

Quick Install via npm

bash

# Install n8n globally
npm install n8n -g

# Start n8n
n8n start

# n8n will be available at http://localhost:5678

Quick Install via Docker

bash

# Run n8n with Docker
docker run -it --rm \
  --name n8n \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

Pro Tips

💡n8n is pronounced "nodemation" — node + automation
💡The fair-code license means you can self-host for free, but cannot resell n8n as a service
💡Start with n8n Cloud if you want to skip infrastructure setup

Comprehension Quiz

Answer 3 of 3 correctly to unlock lesson completion.

1. What type of license does n8n use?

2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the n8n ecosystem?

3. What is the default port for n8n?

Pass the quiz above to unlock lesson completion

Next Lesson

All lessons in this chapter

1. What is n8n?8m 2. n8n vs Other Automation Tools7m 3. The n8n Editor Interface10m 4. Your First Workflow12m 5. Understanding n8n Data Structure8m