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n8n Development Environment Overview

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that allows developers to connect services and automate tasks using a visual editor. It is built on a technology stack that includes Node.js, TypeScript, and Vue.js, and supports local development with straightforward setup instructions. The platform is highly extensible, allowing for custom nodes and credentials, and can be deployed in various environments including Docker and Kubernetes.

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124 views2 pages

n8n Development Environment Overview

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that allows developers to connect services and automate tasks using a visual editor. It is built on a technology stack that includes Node.js, TypeScript, and Vue.js, and supports local development with straightforward setup instructions. The platform is highly extensible, allowing for custom nodes and credentials, and can be deployed in various environments including Docker and Kubernetes.

Uploaded by

atom2374
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Exploring the Development

Environment of n8n: A
Developer’s Overview
Introduction
n8n (short for "node everything now") is an open-source workflow
automation tool designed to connect various services and automate tasks
using a visual editor. Positioned as a flexible alternative to tools like Zapier
or Integromat, n8n is particularly appealing to developers due to its
extensibility, self-hosting capabilities, and source-code accessibility. To
leverage these strengths effectively, understanding its development
environment is essential.

1. Technology Stack
n8n is primarily built using the following technologies:
- Node.js: The core runtime for executing JavaScript server-side.
- TypeScript: Most of the n8n source code is written in TypeScript.
- Vue.js: The front-end UI is built using Vue.js.
- PostgreSQL or SQLite: Used for persisting workflows in self-hosted
deployments.
- Docker: Official Docker images simplify development and deployment.

2. Local Development Setup


Setting up n8n for local development is straightforward:

Requirements:
- Node.js
- npm or yarn
- Docker (optional but recommended)

Steps:
1. Clone the Repository:
git clone https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n.git
cd n8n
2. Install Dependencies:
npm install
3. Build the Application:
npm run build
4. Run in Development Mode:
npm run dev
5. (Optional) Start DB via Docker:
docker-compose -f docker/docker-compose.db.postgres.yml up

3. Directory Structure
Key directories include:
- /packages/cli: Core app logic.
- /packages/editor-ui: Front-end editor (Vue.js).
- /packages/nodes-base: Built-in integrations.
- /packages/core: Execution engine.
- /packages/workflow: Workflow representation.

4. Extensibility and Custom Development


Developers can create custom nodes and credentials using TypeScript.
Nodes extend INodeType and define properties and logic. Community nodes
can be published and reused.

5. Debugging and Testing


n8n supports:
- Built-in logging
- Unit testing with Jest
- Postman collections
- Browser DevTools
The editor provides real-time inspection of node inputs and outputs.

6. Deployment Environments
n8n can be deployed via Docker, Kubernetes, cloud services, or their
managed platform n8n.cloud. Custom nodes and secure credential
management are supported.

Conclusion
n8n offers a powerful, flexible development environment that balances ease
of use with deep customization. Its open architecture and tooling make it
ideal for developers building scalable automation workflows.

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