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Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select your VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
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n8n
Application512MB+ RAM
Workflow automation platform - self-hosted Zapier alternative
automationworkflowzapier-alternativeintegrations
Deploy n8n in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select n8n
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy n8n on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the n8n template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted workflow automation app on your VPS, then open the deployed n8n setup screen in a browser.
About 6 minutesBrowser verified
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Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
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Step 3Search for n8n
Use the template picker search to find n8n in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the n8n template
Choose the n8n template. Server Compass fills the Docker image, persistent storage, default port, timezone values, and required encryption-key field.
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Step 5Review the n8n settings
Confirm the app name and compose summary. In the pilot run, the app was named n8n-demo and used host port 5678.
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Step 6Deploy n8n
Review the generated environment values, keep the encryption key masked, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass prepares the project, pulls the n8n image, starts the container, and verifies the service.
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Step 8Confirm n8n is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the n8n app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open n8n in the browser
Click Open Application or open the application URL in a browser. The n8n owner-account setup screen confirms the deployed app is reachable and ready to finish configuration.
After n8n Opens
- Create the owner account from a private browser session after deployment.
- Keep the n8n encryption key masked and stored securely; do not publish it in screenshots or docs.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before using webhooks or production workflows.
- Back up the n8n persistent volume before storing important credentials or workflows.
Verified Result
The n8n app loaded successfully in a browser and displayed the owner account setup form.
n8n deployment questions
What does the n8n template deploy?
It deploys the official n8n Docker image with persistent storage, a generated encryption key, timezone settings, and the default n8n web port.
Which port did the pilot use?
The pilot used host port 5678, which is the default n8n web UI port.
Why does the first browser screen ask for an owner account?
A fresh n8n deployment starts with the owner-account setup screen. Seeing that screen confirms the app is running and reachable.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the n8n template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Terminal Deployment
n8n CLI Deployment
Deploy n8n the traditional way with SSH and Docker Compose.
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Start a Secure Shell Session
Open your terminal and connect to your server. Replace the IP address with your VPS IP.
terminal
# SSH into your server
ssh root@your-server-ip
# Using a custom SSH key
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa root@your-server-ipFirst time? Need Docker? Install it: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
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Prepare Your Workspace
Set up a clean directory for your application.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/n8n
cd ~/apps/n8n3
Set Up Container Configuration
Set up the container stack using this Docker Compose configuration:
docker-compose.yml
services:
n8n:
image: docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
ports:
- "5678:5678"
environment:
- GENERIC_TIMEZONE=UTC
- TZ=UTC
- N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY=<your-n8n-encryption-key>
- N8N_ENFORCE_SETTINGS_FILE_PERMISSIONS=true
- N8N_RUNNERS_ENABLED=true
- N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false
volumes:
- n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
n8n_data:
Deployment Settings
PORTHost port to expose(default: 5678)TIMEZONEServer timezone(default: UTC)N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEYEncryption key for credentials4
Bring Up the Application
Launch your application stack in the background.
terminal
# Start the containers in detached mode
docker compose up -d
# Check if containers are running
docker compose ps
# View logs
docker compose logs -f5
Configure Firewall
Configure your firewall to permit external connections.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 5678/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:5678Skip the Terminal
Prefer a visual interface? Use Server Compass.
Server Compass makes deploying n8n effortless. Visual setup, one-click deploy, done.
- Visual configuration UI
- One-click deployment
- Automatic SSL setup
- Zero-downtime updates
- Built-in monitoring
- One-click rollbacks
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
After Deployment
After deploying n8n with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Create your owner account
2
Set up your first workflow
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
n8n FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting n8n
How do I deploy n8n with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select n8n from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.
What are the system requirements for n8n?
n8n requires a minimum of 512MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing n8n data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard n8n backup and restore procedures.
How do I update n8n to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest n8n image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is n8n free to self-host?
n8n is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.
Ready to Self-Host n8n?
Download Server Compass and deploy n8n to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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