Self-Host n8n, PostgreSQL & Adminer with Docker

Automation is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, and n8n provides a robust, extendable solution to build workflows for your needs. Self-hosting n8n, combined with PostgreSQL as the database backend and Adminer for easy database management, is a cost-effective and flexible option.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through setting up n8n, PostgreSQL, and Adminer using Docker Compose. This setup ensures persistent storage and an isolated environment for your automation workflows.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

Docker and Docker Compose installed on your system.
Basic understanding of Docker and Compose commands.

Why Self-Host n8n?

n8n is a popular workflow automation tool that lets you connect APIs, applications, and services. By self-hosting, you gain:

Full control over data and configurations.
No reliance on third-party servers.
Flexibility to integrate with your existing infrastructure.

Using PostgreSQL as the database backend improves performance and scalability, while Adminer makes managing the database easy.

Setting Up the Docker Compose File

Here’s the complete docker-compose.yml file for the setup:

default
version: '3.9'

services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:latest
    container_name: postgres
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: n8n
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: n8npassword
      POSTGRES_DB: n8n
    volumes:
      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    ports:
      - "5432:5432"
    networks:
      - n8n_network

  adminer:
    image: adminer:latest
    container_name: adminer
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    networks:
      - n8n_network

  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n:latest
    container_name: n8n
    environment:
      - DB_TYPE=postgresdb
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=postgres
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=5432
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8n
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=n8n
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=n8npassword
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=adminpassword
      - N8N_HOST=n8n.local
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - WEBHOOK_URL=http://localhost:5678
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    depends_on:
      - postgres
    networks:
      - n8n_network
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n

volumes:
  postgres_data:
  n8n_data:

networks:
  n8n_network:

Breakdown of the File

PostgreSQL Service

Image: Uses the official postgres image.
Environment Variables: Defines the database name, username, and password.
Volumes: Ensures data persists across container restarts.
Ports: Maps PostgreSQL to the host's 5432 port.

Adminer Service

Image: Uses the lightweight Adminer image for database management.
Ports: Exposes Adminer on the host’s 8080 port for easy web access.

n8n Service

Image: Pulls the latest n8n image.
Environment Variables: Configures n8n to connect to the PostgreSQL database and enables basic authentication.
Ports: Maps n8n’s web interface to 5678 on the host.
Volumes: Ensures workflows and settings persist.
Dependencies: Waits for PostgreSQL to initialize before starting.

Volumes and Networks

Volumes: Persistent storage for PostgreSQL and n8n data.
Networks: Connects all services securely within a Docker bridge network.

Steps to Deploy

Save the docker-compose.yml file to a directory of your choice.
Run the following command to start the services:
```
 docker-compose up -d
```
Verify that the containers are running:
```
 docker ps
```
Access the services:
- n8n: Open http://localhost:5678 in your browser.
- Adminer: Open http://localhost:8080 in your browser and log in with:
  - System: PostgreSQL
  - Server: postgres
  - Username: n8n
  - Password: n8npassword

Customization Options

Change Ports: Update the ports in the docker-compose.yml file to avoid conflicts.
Authentication: Update N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER and N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD for better security.
Database Settings: Adjust PostgreSQL credentials to fit your existing setup.

Conclusion

Self-hosting n8n with PostgreSQL and Adminer using Docker Compose is a straightforward process. This setup gives you complete control over your workflow automation and data, ensuring scalability and security. With Adminer, managing the database becomes effortless.

Start building your automation workflows today and take control of your automation infrastructure!

Happy automating! 🚀

Self-Hosting n8n, PostgreSQL, and Adminer with Docker Compose