> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/n8n-io/n8n/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Get n8n running and create your first workflow in under 5 minutes

# Quickstart

Get n8n up and running in minutes and create your first workflow. This guide will help you:

* Install n8n locally
* Create your first workflow
* Understand the n8n interface
* Test and execute your workflow

<Note>
  This quickstart uses `npx` for the fastest setup. For production deployments, see the [Installation Guide](/installation).
</Note>

## Step 1: Install and Start n8n

The fastest way to try n8n is with npx (requires Node.js 22.16+):

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npx theme={null}
  npx n8n
  ```

  ```bash Docker theme={null}
  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
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Once n8n starts, open your browser to [http://localhost:5678](http://localhost:5678). You'll be prompted to create an owner account.

## Step 2: Create Your First Workflow

Let's create a simple workflow that fetches data from an API and processes it.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Manual Trigger">
    1. Click the **+** button in the canvas
    2. Search for "Manual Trigger"
    3. Click to add it to your workflow

    The Manual Trigger lets you start workflows manually for testing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an HTTP Request Node">
    1. Click the **+** button again
    2. Search for "HTTP Request"
    3. Configure it:
       * Method: `GET`
       * URL: `https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/users`

    This will fetch a list of users from a test API.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a Code Node">
    1. Add another node
    2. Search for "Code"
    3. Use this JavaScript to transform the data:

    ```javascript theme={null}
    // Transform user data
    return items.map(item => ({
      json: {
        name: item.json.name,
        email: item.json.email,
        company: item.json.company.name,
        city: item.json.address.city
      }
    }));
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test Your Workflow">
    1. Click **Test workflow** button in the top right
    2. Your workflow will execute
    3. Click each node to see the data flowing through
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Understanding the Interface

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Canvas">
    The main area where you build workflows by connecting nodes. Click and drag to move nodes, click the connector dots to link them together.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Node Panel">
    The left sidebar contains all available nodes:

    * **Triggers**: Start workflows (Schedule, Webhook, etc.)
    * **Actions**: Perform operations (HTTP Request, Database, etc.)
    * **Flow**: Control workflow logic (If, Switch, Merge)
    * **Data**: Transform data (Code, Set, Filter)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Execution Details">
    The right panel shows execution data:

    * **Input/Output**: Data flowing into and out of each node
    * **JSON/Table views**: Different ways to visualize data
    * **Binary data**: File attachments and images
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Common Workflow Patterns

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Schedule + Action" icon="clock">
    Use a Schedule Trigger to run workflows automatically (e.g., daily reports, data sync)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webhook + Process" icon="webhook">
    Receive data from external services and process it in real-time
  </Card>

  <Card title="Poll + Notify" icon="bell">
    Check for new data periodically and send notifications
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manual + Test" icon="play">
    Test complex workflows manually before automating them
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Data Flow

In n8n, data flows from node to node as **items**. Each item has:

* `json`: The main data object
* `binary` (optional): File attachments

```json theme={null}
{
  "json": {
    "name": "John Doe",
    "email": "john@example.com"
  },
  "binary": {}
}
```

Access data in expressions using `$json`:

```javascript theme={null}
{{ $json.name }}         // John Doe
{{ $json.email }}        // john@example.com
```

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Core Concepts" icon="book" href="/core-concepts">
    Learn about nodes, triggers, credentials, and more
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Set up n8n for production use
  </Card>

  <Card title="Building Workflows" icon="diagram-project" href="/workflows/creating-workflows">
    Deep dive into workflow creation
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Workflows" icon="brain" href="/ai/overview">
    Build AI-powered automations with LangChain
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="n8n won't start">
    Check that:

    * Node.js version is 22.16 or higher: `node --version`
    * Port 5678 is not in use
    * You have permissions to write to the `.n8n` folder
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Workflow won't execute">
    Common issues:

    * Check that nodes are properly connected
    * Verify API credentials are configured
    * Look for error messages in node output
    * Check browser console for errors
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data not appearing">
    * Click **Test workflow** to execute manually
    * Check that previous nodes ran successfully
    * Verify expressions using the Expression Editor
    * Use `console.log()` in Code nodes for debugging
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Database Configuration

By default, n8n uses SQLite for storage. For production use, consider PostgreSQL:

```bash theme={null}
# With environment variables
export DB_TYPE=postgresdb
export DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=localhost
export DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=5432
export DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8n
export DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=n8n
export DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=password

npx n8n
```

See the [Installation Guide](/installation) for complete database configuration.

## Additional Resources

* [n8n Community Forum](https://community.n8n.io) - Get help and share workflows
* [Workflow Templates](https://n8n.io/workflows) - 900+ ready-to-use templates
* [Node Documentation](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/) - Detailed node guides
* [YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/c/n8n-io) - Video tutorials

<Tip>
  Join the [n8n community forum](https://community.n8n.io) to connect with other users, share workflows, and get help from the team!
</Tip>