Build Your First n8n Workflow (Self-Hosted Automation)

n8n is open source workflow automation—like Zapier, but you run it yourself. Full control over your data.

Install

Docker:

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

Open http://localhost:5678. Create an account.

Simple workflow: Webhook to Slack

1. Add a Webhook node (trigger). Copy the URL.
2. Add a Slack node. Connect your workspace. Choose "Send Message."
3. Map the webhook body to the Slack message.
4. Activate the workflow.

Now any POST to your webhook URL sends a message to Slack. Use it for alerts, form submissions, or CI/CD notifications.

Add AI

n8n has OpenAI, Anthropic, and Ollama nodes. Add an AI node between trigger and action to summarize, translate, or transform data before sending.

Self-hosting benefits

• Your data never leaves your server
• No per-execution pricing
• Custom nodes and extensions
• Air-gapped deployment possible