n8n-docker-mcp-zero-cost

# 🌀 Zero-Cost n8n Setup with Docker & Community Proxy (MCP) This guide walks through setting up a free, self-hosted instance of [n8n](https://n8n.io) with the **n8n Community Proxy (MCP)**, entirely using Docker. --- ## ✅ Prerequisites - 🐳 Docker & Docker Compose installed - ✅ Free domain (optional, for HTTPS) - ✅ Git + text editor (VSCode, etc.) - ⛅ Optional: Cloudflare Tunnel for remote access --- ## 📁 Step 1: Create a Project Folder ```bash mkdir n8n-zerocost && cd n8n-zerocost ``` --- ## 🧾 Step 2: Create `.env` File ```ini # .env N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=strongpassword N8N_HOST=localhost N8N_PORT=5678 N8N_EDITOR_BASE_URL=https://n8n.community N8N_PROTOCOL=http WEBHOOK_TUNNEL_URL=https://n8n.community N8N_PERSONALIZATION_ENABLED=false N8N_DIAGNOSTICS_ENABLED=false ``` --- ## ⚙️ Step 3: Create `docker-compose.yml` ```yaml # docker-compose.yml version: "3.7" services: n8n: image: n8nio/n8n:latest restart: always ports: - "5678:5678" env_file: - .env volumes: - ./n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n environment: - N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_ALLOWED=true - N8N_TUNNEL_SUBDOMAIN=your-subdomain # Optional ``` --- ## 🌍 Step 4: Launch n8n ```bash docker compose up -d ``` Check logs: ```bash docker logs -f n8n ``` --- ## 🔐 Step 5: Access Your n8n Editor - Locally: `http://localhost:5678` - Remotely (if using a tunnel): via `n8n.community` (MCP handles public tunnel) --- ## ☁️ Optional: Use Cloudflare Tunnel (Zero Trust) ```bash cloudflared tunnel --url http://localhost:5678 ``` --- ## 🧪 Step 6: First Workflow 1. Go to your n8n instance. 2. Create a simple trigger like HTTP Request ➝ Respond with Message. 3. Test it with the tunnel or MCP URL. --- ## 📦 Step 7: (Optional) Install Community Nodes You can now install any free community package under `Settings ➝ Community Nodes`. --- ## 📁 Volumes Your workflows and data will be stored in: ```bash ./n8n_data/ ``` --- ## ✅ Tips for Zero Cost Hosting | Platform | Use | |--------------|------------------------------| | Railway | Free Docker hosting | | Render | Free web services | | Replit | For testing | | Cloudflare | Tunneling + free domain | | n8n MCP | Free tunnel proxy to public | --- ## 🚨 Security - Always use strong username/password in `.env` - For production, use HTTPS (Cloudflare tunnel or NGINX) --- ## ✅ Done! Your zero-cost n8n is now live and running with Docker and MCP!