Workflow automation that wires apps and AI nodes
n8n is a fair-code workflow platform (Sustainable Use License). A visual canvas for webhooks, cron, existing systems and AI nodes — Docker self-host or official Cloud.
Updated 2026-09-04. Same-day snapshot of the official repo.
How to Get Started with n8n
3 steps to a local Docker workflow.
Run with Docker
Official docs recommend Docker. Create a volume, then run the official image.
docker volume create n8n_data
docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n n8nio/n8nOpen the editor
Open port 5678 locally and create the first account.
http://localhost:5678Ship one small flow
Wire one real flow (cron → HTTP → notify) before adding AI nodes.
Schedule → HTTP Request → Email/SlackPitfalls
Not an MIT license
Internal self-hosting is fine; a paid multi-tenant n8n host hits the Sustainable Use License. Read LICENSE.md before you sell it.
Don't overload AI Agent nodes
One agent with three to five tools is stable. More tools and it starts choosing badly. Ship one real small flow first.
Don't ship SQLite + :5678 to production
SQLite is fine locally. Public deploys need Compose, a reverse proxy, HTTPS and a correct WEBHOOK_URL or inbound callbacks miss.
Beside Dify & Zapier
Based on official docs and licenses. n8n is for self-hosted flows that wire existing systems and AI nodes — not a RAG app builder.
| Tool | License | Surface | Positioning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | Fair-code · SUL | Visual workflows | App integrations + cron/webhooks + AI nodes | Repetitive ops, self-hosted automation |
| Dify | Apache-2.0 + conditions | AI app builder | RAG, chat apps, model providers | SME PoC / knowledge Q&A |
| Zapier | Proprietary SaaS | No-code automation | Huge SaaS catalog, fully hosted | Non-ops business teams |
Official Directory
Official
- Official site (n8n.io)
Product, Cloud and self-hosting entry.
- GitHub repository
Source. Fair-code, Sustainable Use License.
Docs & Install
- Documentation
Docker install, nodes, workflows and hosting.
- Docker install docs
Official recommended self-host install.
Community
- Community forum
Q&A and troubleshooting.
Related
- n8n Cloud
Official hosted option if you don't want to run servers.
Latest Updates
2026-09-04 · GitHub · n8n-io/n8n
n8n keeps shipping: visual workflows + native AI nodesFair-code workflow platform, self-host or Cloud. GitHub lists 400+ integrations. 200k+ stars.
LaoJin's Pick
FAQ
- What is n8n?
- n8n is a fair-code workflow automation platform: a visual canvas that wires apps, webhooks, cron and AI nodes. Self-host or use official Cloud.
- Is n8n open source? Is it free?
- It's under the Sustainable Use License (fair-code), not Apache/MIT. Self-hosting for your own internal automation is allowed; selling it as a competing multi-tenant host needs a commercial license. Cloud is billed separately.
- How do I install n8n?
- Official docs recommend Docker. Create a volume, run `n8nio/n8n`, open http://localhost:5678. For production follow the official Docker/Compose guide — don't expose 5678 raw.
- n8n vs Dify vs Zapier?
- Repetitive ops, webhooks and scheduled sync → n8n. RAG / chat apps / knowledge bases → Dify. Zero-ops SaaS integrations → Zapier. Many teams use more than one.
Need to deploy a team-level Agent system?
Open-source frameworks are free, but turning a runtime into an enterprise asset requires access control, RBAC sandboxes, and private RAG integrations. Laojin Global provides commercial-grade architecture and deployment support.
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How this hub stays current
Version and links live in src/content/n8n.ts; star snapshots sync via GitHub API.