N8N Localy Run

n8n Local Setup Guide

Install n8n on your computer for free — with paid features unlocked

n PREREQUISITES: Windows / Mac / Linux + Internet connection + 5 minutes

1. Install Node.js

n8n runs on Node.js, so we need to install it first. This is a one-time setup.

n What to do:

1. Open your browser
2. Go to nodejs.org
3. Click the LTS (Long Term Support) version — it's the stable one
4. Download the installer for your OS (Windows / Mac / Linux)
5. Run the installer — click Next through all steps, keep defaults

n TIP: Always pick the LTS version, not Current. LTS is stable and tested.

Verify Installation:

Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

 node -v

If you see a version number like v20.x.x — Node.js is installed successfully.

n What you should see:

$ node -v
v20.18.1 ← Any version 18+ is fine
$ npm -v
10.8.2 ← npm comes bundled with Node.js

2. Install n8n

One command is all it takes. This installs n8n globally on your system.

Open Command Prompt / PowerShell / Terminal and run:

 npm i n8n -g

n Breaking it down:

npm → Node Package Manager (comes with Node.js)
i → Short for 'install'
n8n → The package we're installing
-g → Install globally (so you can use it from anywhere)

Wait for the installation to finish. It may take 1-2 minutes, depending on your internet speed.

n ERROR? If you get a permission error on Mac/Linux, run: sudo npm i n8n -g

3. Start n8n

Launch n8n for the first time. It will set up everything automatically.

In the same terminal, run:

 n8n start

This takes a minute the first time. Once it's ready, you'll see a message with a URL.

n What you should see in the terminal:

Editor is now accessible via:
http://localhost:
Press 'o' to open in browser

Now open your browser and go to:

localhost:

You'll see the n8n signup screen. Create your account — this is local, only on your machine.

n NOTE: n8n has no desktop icon. You always start it via a terminal command and open it in
your browser.

4. Unlock Paid Features (Free!)

n8n offers a free community license that unlocks paid features like execution history, debug mode,

and more.

n What to do:

1. Inside n8n, go to Settings (bottom-left gear icon)
2. Click on Community or License
3. Enter your email address
4. Click the 'Send Me' button
5. Check your email — you'll receive a license key

If you get an activation error, run this in your terminal:

 n8n license: activate YOUR_LICENSE_KEY

Then restart n8n:

 n8n start

n DONE! Paid features are now unlocked. You get execution history, debug mode, and
more — all free.

Quick Reference Card

ACTION COMMAND

Install n8n

 npm i n8n -g

Start n8n

 n8n start

Open n8n in the browser at localhost:

Press "o" (in terminal)

Update n8n

npm update n8n -g

Check Node version

 node -v

Stop n8n

Ctrl + C (in terminal)

Activate license n8n license:activate KEY

Troubleshooting

n Problem: "npm" is not recognized

Fix: Node.js not installed properly. Reinstall from nodejs.org and restart your terminal.

n Problem: Permission denied (Mac/Linux)

Fix: Use sudo npm i n8n -g to install with admin permissions.

n Problem: n8n won't start

Fix: Make sure no other app is using port 5678. Or run: n8n start --port=

n Problem: License activation error

Fix: Copy the exact key from email. Run n8n license:activate KEY then restart.

n Problem: Page won't load in browser

Fix: Make sure terminal still shows n8n running. Don't close the terminal window.

@fullstackparody · Learning AI Automation · March 2026