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Getting Started with n8n

Install, configure, and run your first workflow. This beginner-friendly guide will get you up and running in 1-2 hours.

Beginner Level•1-2 hours total•4 learning steps
1

n8n Installation

Download and install n8n on your local machine or use the cloud version

Easy
15 minutes

Option 1: Desktop Installation

  • Download n8n Desktop from the official website
  • Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
  • Launch n8n Desktop and create your account
  • Your n8n instance will be available at localhost:5678

Option 2: Cloud Version

  • Visit n8n.cloud and sign up for a free account
  • Verify your email address
  • Access your cloud instance immediately
  • No installation required - works in any browser

Option 3: Self-hosted (Advanced)

  • Install Node.js (version 16 or later)
  • Run: npm install n8n -g
  • Start n8n with: npx n8n
  • Access at http://localhost:5678
2

Interface Overview

Learn the n8n interface and understand how workflows are built

Easy
20 minutes

Main Interface Components

  • Workflow Canvas - where you build your automation
  • Node Panel - drag and drop nodes to create workflows
  • Settings Panel - configure node parameters and credentials
  • Execution Panel - view workflow runs and debug issues

Key Concepts

  • Nodes - individual steps in your workflow
  • Connections - data flow between nodes
  • Triggers - what starts your workflow
  • Actions - what your workflow does
3

First Workflow

Create your first automation workflow from scratch

Easy
25 minutes

Building Your First Workflow

  • Click 'Add first step' to add a trigger node
  • Choose 'Manual Trigger' for testing purposes
  • Add an 'HTTP Request' node to fetch data
  • Configure the HTTP Request to call a public API
  • Connect the Manual Trigger to HTTP Request
  • Test your workflow by clicking 'Execute Workflow'

Example: Weather Workflow

  • Use Manual Trigger as starting point
  • Add HTTP Request node pointing to weather API
  • Set method to GET and URL to weather service
  • Add another node to process the weather data
  • Save your workflow with a descriptive name
4

Basic Nodes

Understand the most commonly used nodes in n8n

Easy
20 minutes

Trigger Nodes

  • Manual Trigger - start workflows manually
  • Webhook - trigger via HTTP requests
  • Schedule Trigger - run workflows on schedule
  • Email Trigger - start when emails are received

Action Nodes

  • HTTP Request - call APIs and web services
  • Set - transform and manipulate data
  • IF - add conditional logic to workflows
  • Code - write custom JavaScript functions

Integration Nodes

  • Google Sheets - read/write spreadsheet data
  • Gmail - send and receive emails
  • Slack - post messages and notifications
  • Discord - interact with Discord servers

🎉 Congratulations!

You've completed the Getting Started guide. You're now ready to build more complex workflows!

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