Automation has revolutionized how businesses and individuals manage repetitive tasks. With tools like n8n, creating your first automated agent is now easier than ever. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a solopreneur, or just curious about automation, this n8n tutorial for beginners will help you get started with n8n — even if its your first time.
In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll cover everything from installation, configuring community packages, OAuth tokens, and crafting your first automated workflow. This guide is brought to you by Agent for Everything, your go-to resource for building digital agents that work for you.
Table of Contents
What is n8n?
n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a powerful, source-available workflow automation tool that lets you connect apps and automate tasks using a simple, visual interface. It’s often seen as an open-source alternative to Zapier or Make.
- Over 300 app integrations
- Custom JavaScript and HTTP nodes
- Local and cloud-hosted options
Why Use n8n?
- Free and open-source for self-hosting
- Customizable workflows
- Ideal for developers and technical users
- Built-in credential management
How to Use n8n: Getting Started
Whether you’re a total beginner or migrating from other platforms, learning how to use n8n opens up a world of productivity. Let’s break it down step-by-step.
You can start using n8n by installing locally for free, Or if your system doesn’t have the sufficient spec, you can host n8n online easily with Railway.
How to Host n8n Online
Railway offers one of the simplest ways to get n8n running in the cloud — with no infrastructure setup and almost no code required. Whether you’re new to automation or just want to get up and running fast, this guide walks you through every step.
Why Choose Railway?
- One-click deployment
- Free tier with generous limits
- Easy web UI and CLI options
- PostgreSQL included for persistent workflows
- Auto-webhook handling and HTTPS support
Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting n8n on Railway
1. Open the Template Page
Go to the official Railway template for n8n:
👉 https://railway.com/template/0vH6fh
2. Click “Deploy n8n”
This will fork the template and start your own project.
3. Create or Log Into Railway Account
Use GitHub, GitLab, or email to sign in.
4. Wait for the Build
Railway automatically deploys two services:
- Postgres Database (used for workflow storage)
- n8n Service (hosted from
maslaknikolai/n8n-railway)
5. View Your Hosted App
After deployment, Railway gives you a URL like:
https://n8n-production-xxxxx.up.railway.app
You now have your own cloud-hosted instance of n8n, with persistent workflow data and HTTPS.
🔐 Securing Your n8n Instance
Railway sets up your app without a password by default. To add authentication:
- Go to the Railway Dashboard → n8n → Variables
- Add the following environment variable:
N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=trueN8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=yourusernameN8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=yoursecurepassword
- Redeploy the service
Updating Your n8n App
To pull the latest updates:
- Go to your GitHub repo (if connected) and pull the latest from
maslaknikolai/n8n-railway - Redeploy in Railway
Now lets see how you can install n8n locally
System Requirements
Before installing, ensure your system meets the following:
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Linux / macOS / Windows |
| Node.js | v18 or higher |
| npm/yarn | Latest version |
| RAM | 2GB+ |
| Storage | 500MB free space |
How to Use n8n Locally
Setting up n8n locally gives you complete control over your workflows. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Install Node.js and npm
Download the latest version of Node.js from nodejs.org.
node -v
npm -v
Step 2: Install n8n via npm
npm install n8n -g
Step 3: Start n8n
n8n
Visit http://localhost:5678 to open the n8n editor.
n8n Installation Steps
You can also install via Docker:
docker run -it --rm \
-p 5678:5678 \
-v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
n8nio/n8n
Refer to n8n Docs for Docker Compose, Kubernetes, or cloud deployments.
First Launch and Interface Tour
- Canvas: Drag and drop nodes to build workflows.
- Sidebar: Access nodes, credentials, and executions.
- Top bar: Save, activate, and run workflows manually.
Creating Your First Workflow
Let’s automate a simple task: When you receive an email in Gmail, create a task in Notion.
Step 1: Add Gmail Node
Choose “Trigger > Gmail”. Authenticate with OAuth.
Step 2: Add Notion Node
Select “Action > Notion > Create Page”. Choose your workspace.
Step 3: Connect Nodes
Drag from Gmail to Notion. Map email subject to Notion page title.
Step 4: Save and Activate
Click Activate Workflow and you’re done!
Example Workflow: Automate Gmail to Notion
graph LR
A[Gmail Trigger] --> B[Filter Node]
B --> C[Notion: Create Page]
This basic workflow saves you time by automatically documenting your important emails.
Using OAuth in n8n: How to Get a Token
OAuth authentication allows secure access to APIs. Here’s how:
- Go to n8n credentials
- Choose OAuth2
- Add Client ID and Secret (from API provider)
- Set Callback URL to
http://localhost:5678/rest/oauth2-credential/callback - Authorize and Save
More details in n8n Docs: OAuth2
How to Use n8n for Free
You can use n8n for free by self-hosting on:
- Your local machine
- A VPS like DigitalOcean or Hetzner
- Docker or cloud VM
Free forever for personal use with no usage cap.
n8n How to Install Community Packages
Want more nodes or triggers? You can install community packages:
npm install n8n-nodes-yourpackagename
Then restart n8n:
n8n stop && n8n start
Explore available plugins in the n8n Community Forum.
Tips for Using Triggers and Nodes
- Use IF and Switch nodes for logic
- Combine HTTP Request node for custom API calls
- Use Wait nodes to delay actions
Managing Credentials Securely
- Use
.envfile for secrets - Use
n8n-secretin Docker for secure credential storage - Limit access by user role
Monitoring and Debugging Workflows
- Enable “Manual Execution”
- Use Execution Logs in the sidebar
- Watch Input/Output data of each node
Backing Up Your n8n Instance
Regular backups prevent data loss:
tar -czvf n8n-backup.tar.gz ~/.n8n
Store it securely in cloud or external drive.
Advanced Tips from n8n Guides
- Use Function node for complex logic
- Integrate with OpenAI or Hugging Face
- Schedule jobs using Cron node
Troubleshooting Common Errors
- Port in use? Use a different port:
n8n --port=5679 - Invalid credentials? Reauthorize OAuth
- Node errors? Check input data format
n8n Tutorials to Explore Further
- Automate Twitter Posts
- Backup Google Drive to Dropbox
- Daily Summary Emails
Explore more at n8n Docs
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Creating automated workflows with n8n is both empowering and fun. Start simple, experiment, and scale your agents as your needs grow. With platforms like Agent for Everything, you can find endless use cases for AI + automation.
FAQs
Q1: How to use n8n without coding knowledge?
A: While coding helps, most workflows can be built visually using drag-and-drop nodes.
Q2: Is n8n free for commercial use?
A: Self-hosted n8n is free under the Fair Code License. For teams, check n8n.cloud pricing.
Q3: n8n how to get OAuth token if using Google?
A: Create a Google Cloud app and use the Client ID and Secret in your OAuth2 credentials.
Q4: How secure is n8n for storing API keys?
A: Very secure if self-hosted with best practices like .env and Docker secrets.
Q5: Can I install custom or community-built nodes in n8n?
A: Yes. Use npm install inside your n8n environment to add them.