# n8n

> Self-hostable workflow automation with a visual node editor and native AI steps

- Category: Agents & Automation / Workflow Automation
- Language: TypeScript
- Licence: Sustainable Use License (fair-code)
- Repository: https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n
- Website: https://n8n.io
- Canonical page: https://ai-tldr.dev/tools/n8n/

## In short

n8n is a workflow automation platform that connects apps and APIs through a visual node editor. It sits in the Workflow Automation category of the Agents & Automation tools and is open-source, written in TypeScript and licensed Sustainable Use License (fair-code). To get started: run instantly with npx.

## Overview

n8n is a workflow automation platform that connects apps and APIs through a visual node editor. You drag nodes onto a canvas, wire them together, and the workflow runs the steps in order, so a lot of the glue code you would normally write by hand is handled for you. It ships with 400+ integrations and 900+ ready-made workflow templates.

It is aimed at technical teams who want more control than a typical no-code tool gives. When the built-in nodes are not enough, you can drop into JavaScript or Python, pull in npm packages, or add your own custom nodes. n8n also has native AI steps built on LangChain, so you can build AI agent workflows that use your own data and models.

Within the low-code / no-code workflow space, n8n's main draw is self-hosting under its fair-code license: the source is always visible and you can deploy it anywhere, including air-gapped setups. A managed cloud option exists if you prefer not to run it yourself.

## What it does

- Visual node editor for building automations by connecting 400+ apps and APIs
- Drop into JavaScript or Python and add npm packages when the visual nodes are not enough
- Native AI steps built on LangChain for agent workflows using your own data and models
- Self-hostable under a fair-code license with always-visible source code
- 900+ ready-to-use workflow templates to start from
- Enterprise features including advanced permissions, SSO, and air-gapped deployments

## Getting started

You can try n8n in seconds with npx (Node.js required) or run it as a Docker container. Both start a local editor at http://localhost:5678.

1. Run instantly with npx

   If you have Node.js installed, this command downloads and starts n8n without any setup.

```bash
npx n8n
```

2. Or deploy with Docker

   Create a named volume so your workflows persist, then run the n8n container.

```bash
docker volume create n8n_data
docker run -it --rm --name n8n -p 5678:5678 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n
```

3. Open the editor

   Visit the local editor in your browser, then add your first node and start building a workflow on the canvas.

```text
http://localhost:5678
```

## When to use it

- Sync data between SaaS tools (CRM, spreadsheets, databases) without writing custom integration code
- Build AI agent workflows that pull from your own data and models using the LangChain-based nodes
- Automate internal team processes like notifications, approvals, and scheduled reports
- Self-host automation in a controlled or air-gapped environment to keep data on your own infrastructure