How to Self-Host n8n on Cloud GPU Server: A Quick Guide

What is n8n?

n8n is an open-source, fair-code workflow automation tool that helps you connect applications, services and APIs through a visual, node-based interface. It offers a simple drag-and-drop automation with the flexibility of JavaScript for advanced customisation. 

What is the Purpose of n8n?

Using a visual, node-based interface, n8n enables you to build workflows that move data between systems, schedule tasks and respond to real-time events. With support for AI-powered features, n8n goes beyond simple automation. This makes it easier to design intelligent workflows that combine no-code convenience with advanced flexibility.

What is n8n Best For?

n8n is ideal for the following tasks:

• Streamlining repetitive tasks across multiple apps and platforms.

• Designing advanced data pipelines to collect, process, and route information seamlessly.

• Building tailored integrations that connect applications beyond standard connectors.

• Powering intelligent workflows by integrating large language models (LLMs) and AI-driven automation

Why Should You Use n8n?

n8n is an ideal choice for seamless integration and workflow management:

No Complex Code Required

Instead of wasting time with complex code, you can map out automations in a simple drag-and-drop editor. Add nodes, set conditions and watch the flow run step by step.

Vast Integrations

From Google Sheets and Slack to GitHub, AWS, Supabse and Trello, n8n connects with many popular tools. This makes it possible to link together the apps your team already uses and streamline everything from messaging to data pipelines.

Code Where It Counts

For times when drag-and-drop is not enough, you can inject JavaScript directly into your workflows. This gives you the freedom to clean data, apply business rules or call APIs in a way that matches your unique requirements.

Trigger on Any Event

Workflows can fire automatically in response to real-time events: an incoming webhook, a scheduled cron job, an update in a connected app or a manual action. That means your automations always stay in sync with what’s happening.

Flexible and Extendable

As your needs grow, n8n grows with you. You can build your own custom nodes, reuse parts of existing workflows or install community plugins to expand functionality without starting from scratch.

Host It Your Way

Run n8n on Docker or directly on your own server. Hosting it yourself means you decide how data is stored, how secure the system is and how it scales.

How to Self-Host n8n on a Cloud GPU Server

Self-hosting n8n is straightforward and can run even on a small CPU instance. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Access Your Server

1. SSH into your VM or server where you want to run n8n.

Step 2: Update and Install Docker

2. Choose OS Image: Server 20.04 LTS R535 CUDA 12.2 with Docker for easy setup.

Step 3: Create a Persistent Volume

To ensure your workflow data is not lost, create a Docker volume:

docker volume create n8n_data

Step 4: Run n8n in a  Persistent Container

Start n8n with the following command:

docker run -d --name n8n \
  --restart always \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
  docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n

Step 5: Access n8n

Open your browser and go to: http://:5678

You should see the n8n interface ready to create workflows.

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FAQs

What is n8n?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that lets you connect apps, services, and APIs to automate tasks. It uses a visual, node-based interface, allowing both no-code and low-code automation for businesses and developers.

Is n8n free to use?

Yes, the core version of n8n is free and open-source under fair-code licensing. You can self-host it on your server at no cost, with full control over your workflows and data.

Can I use n8n without coding?

Absolutely. n8n’s drag-and-drop workflow builder allows you to create automations without writing code. For advanced users, you can also insert JavaScript to add custom logic to workflows.

What apps and services can I integrate with n8n?

n8n supports over 300 integrations, including Slack, Google Sheets, Notion, GitHub, MySQL, AWS, Trello and many more. This makes it easy to automate tasks across messaging, databases, cloud platforms, and developer tools.

Can n8n be used with AI and LLM workflows?

Yes. n8n can integrate AI models and large language models (LLM) chains, enabling AI-powered automations, intelligent decision-making and smart data processing directly within your workflows.