Self-Host n8n: Easy Setup on Hetzner Cloud

Learn how to install and run your own n8n instance on a Hetzner cloud server. This step-by-step guide covers everything from server setup to accessing your new n8n installation.

Step-by-Step Guide: Installing n8n on a Hetzner Server

Are you looking to self-host n8n, the workflow automation tool? In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up n8n on a Hetzner cloud server. This setup uses Docker and Caddy as a reverse proxy, providing you with a robust and secure installation.

Required time: 5 minutes

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have:

1. A Hetzner Cloud account

2. Basic knowledge of terminal/command-line operations

3. An SSH key pair on your local machine

Step 1: Create a Hetzner Server

1. Log in to the Hetzner Cloud Console.

2. Click on "Add Server" or "Create Server".

3. Choose the region closest to you (e.g., Helsinki).

4. Under "Image", select the "Apps" tab and choose "Docker CE".

5. For the server type, consider selecting an ARM64 server, which is often cheaper and more powerful than x86 servers.

6. Add your SSH public key to the server configuration.

7. Review your choices and click "Create & Buy Now".

Step 2: Connect to Your Server

Once your server is created, connect to it via SSH:

ssh root@your_server_ip

Replace `your_server_ip` with the IP address provided by Hetzner.

Step 3: Update System and Install Docker Compose

Update your system and install Docker Compose:

apt update && apt -y upgrade

apt install docker-compose-plugin

Step 4: Clone the n8n Docker Configuration

Clone the n8n Docker configuration repository:

git clone https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n-docker-caddy.git

cd n8n-docker-caddy

Step 5: Create Docker Volumes

Create Docker volumes for Caddy and n8n data:

docker volume create caddy_data

sudo docker volume create n8n_data

Step 6: Configure DNS

Create an A record for your chosen subdomain (e.g., n8n.yourdomain.com) pointing to your server's IP address.

Step 7: Open Firewall Ports

Allow incoming traffic on ports 80 and 443:

sudo ufw allow 80

sudo ufw allow 443

Step 8: Configure n8n

Edit the `.env` file to set your environment variables:

nano .env

Update the placeholders with your actual values (e.g., domain, email, username, password).

Step 9: Configure Caddy

Edit the Caddy configuration file:

nano caddy_config/Caddyfile

Replace the placeholder domain with your actual domain (e.g., n8n.yourdomain.com).

Step 10: Start n8n and Caddy

Launch n8n and Caddy using Docker Compose:

docker compose up -d

Step 11: Access n8n

Open your browser and navigate to your n8n subdomain (e.g., https://n8n.yourdomain.com). Log in using the credentials you set in the `.env` file.

Maintenance and Updates

To stop n8n and Caddy:

sudo docker compose stop

To update n8n:

docker compose pull

docker compose down

docker compose up -d

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully installed n8n on your Hetzner server. Remember to keep your installation updated and secure. If you encounter any issues, consult the n8n documentation or community forums for assistance.