2. Local Installation (npm & Docker)

Step-by-step guide to installing n8n locally.

12m Lesson 2 of 5

Setting up n8n locally is essential for learning, testing, and development. You have two main options: npm (Node.js) or Docker.

Option 1: npm

Requires Node.js 18+ installed on your machine. This is the simplest approach for quick experimentation.

Option 2: Docker

Docker provides isolation and easier cleanup. Recommended if you already use Docker in your development workflow.

Data Persistence

By default, n8n stores data in an SQLite database in the `~/.n8n` directory. This includes your workflows, credentials, and execution history.

Code Examples

Install with npm

bash

# Prerequisites: Node.js 18+
node --version  # Should be 18.x or higher

# Install n8n globally
npm install n8n -g

# Start n8n
n8n start

# Access at http://localhost:5678

Install with Docker

bash

# Pull and run n8n
docker run -it --rm \
  --name n8n \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

# With environment variables
docker run -it --rm \
  --name n8n \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin \
  -e N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=securepassword \
  -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

Pro Tips

💡Always use a named Docker volume (-v n8n_data:...) to persist your data between container restarts
💡Set N8N_BASIC_AUTH to protect your local instance if it's accessible on your network

Comprehension Quiz

Answer 2 of 2 correctly to unlock lesson completion.

1. What is the minimum Node.js version required for n8n?

2. Why should you use a named Docker volume when running n8n?

Pass the quiz above to unlock lesson completion

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All lessons in this chapter

1. n8n Cloud Overview8m 2. Local Installation (npm & Docker)12m 3. Production Deployment with Docker Compose15m 4. Environment Variables & Configuration10m 5. Backups, Updates & Maintenance10m