Looking to install n8n, the powerful open-source AI workflow automation tool?
If you’re using Coolify v4+, you’re in luck — n8n is now available as a one-click service right inside Coolify’s interface.
No need to mess with Docker Compose or manual configs — Coolify gives you a clean UI to deploy n8n in seconds.
What is n8n?
In case you’re new to it:
n8n (pronounced “n-eight-n”) is a free and open-source workflow AI automation platform, kind of like Zapier or Make.com — but totally self-hosted.
You can integrate with AI agents, Slack, Telegram, APIs, databases, CRMs, and much more — build complex automations visually, no code needed.
Option 1: n8n (Lite — without PostgreSQL)
This version uses SQLite under the hood. It’s simple, lightweight, and fast to set up.
Good for
- Testing and local development
- Personal automations
- Lightweight usage
- Minimal resource usage
Limitations
- Not ideal for high concurrency or large workflows
- SQLite isn’t great for scale or team collaboration
Option 2: n8n with PostgreSQL
This version sets up n8n + PostgreSQL — giving you more power, better performance, and production-grade stability.
Good for
- Staging or production use
- Team workflows
- Large flows and high-frequency automations
- Data persistence and backups
Why PostgreSQL?
Because n8n stores all your flows, credentials, executions, logs, and more — and PostgreSQL is simply better for long-term, reliable storage. Plus, it’s open-source too.
How to deploy n8n on Coolify (the easy way)
Here’s how to install it using the built-in Coolify services.
Open the Coolify dashboard
Head to your Coolify UI:
https://coolify.yourdomain.comThen create a new project.
Go to Projects → New Resource
From the sidebar, click Projects, then “New Resource”.
In the search box, type: n8n.
Select the variant you need
- Choose N8N for quick and lightweight usage.
- Choose N8N With PostgreSQL for better scalability and real-world workflows.
Click your preferred option, follow the prompts, choose your domain, and hit Deploy.
Coolify will:
- Create containers
- Link volumes
- Set up default ports
- Give you logs and status right in the UI
All done within seconds. Once deployed, you can access n8n via your domain URL, set your first admin details, and boom — welcome ;)
Open source and free
Both versions of n8n (with or without PostgreSQL) are:
- 100% free
- Fully open-source
- Self-hosted — your data stays with you
- Supported inside Coolify out-of-the-box (no manual setup)
How I use it
Personally, I use n8n as part of my self-hosted dev/staging environment to build custom Slack bots, auto-create Jira tickets, and sync GitHub / Telegram / webhooks into custom APIs. All powered by Coolify and running on my local or cloud servers 😎
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