# Run n8n - Open Source Workflow Automation - in Docker

## What is n8n?

> n8n is an extendable workflow automation tool. With a fair-code distribution model, n8n will always have visible source code, be available to self-host, and allow you to add your own custom functions, logic and apps. n8n's node-based approach makes it highly versatile, enabling you to connect anything to everything. -https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n

## Installing Docker

1. Log into the Linux based device
2. Run the following commands in the terminal
   # install prerequisites
   sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common gnupg-agent -y
   # add docker gpg key
   curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/$(awk -F'=' '/^ID=/{ print $NF }' /etc/os-release)/gpg | sudo apt-key add -
   # add docker software repository
   sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture)] https://download.docker.com/linux/$(awk -F'=' '/^ID=/{ print $NF }' /etc/os-release) $(lsb_release -cs) stable"
   # install docker
   sudo apt install docker-ce docker-compose containerd.io -y
   # enable and start docker service
   sudo systemctl enable docker && sudo systemctl start docker
   # add the current user to the docker group
   sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
   # reauthenticate for the new group membership to take effect
   su - $USER

## Running the n8n Container

1. Now that Docker is installed, run the following commands to setup the n8n Docker container and run it
   # create working directory
   mkdir ~/docker/n8n -p && mkdir ~/docker/mariadb
   # set ownership on the working directories
   sudo chown "$USER":"$USER" ~/docker -R
   # run the mariadb docker container
   docker run -d --name mariadb -e MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=r00tp@$$ -e MYSQL_USER=n8n_rw -e MYSQL_PASSWORD='n8n_N8N!' -e MYSQL_DATABASE=n8n_db -v ~/docker/mariadb:/var/lib/mysql -p 3306:3006 -d mariadb:latest
   # run the n8n container
   docker run -d --name=n8n --link mariadb -p 5678:5678 -v ~/docker/n8n:/home/node/.n8n -e GENERIC_TIMEZONE=America/New_York -e TZ=America/New_York -e DB_TYPE=mysqldb -e DB_MYSQLDB_DATABASE=n8n_db -e DB_MYSQLDB_HOST=mariadb -e DB_MYSQLDB_PORT=3306 -e DB_MYSQLDB_USER=n8n_rw -e DB_MYSQLDB_PASSWORD='n8n_N8N!' n8nio/n8n
2. Open a web browser and navigate to http://DNSorIP:5678
3. Complete the form with an email, first name, last name and password > Click next
4. Complete the questionnaire > Click continue
5. Click Get started
6. Welcome to n8n

Documentation: https://hub.docker.com/r/n8nio/n8n