How to Self-Host n8n (the Easy Way with AI)
n8n is a powerful open-source workflow automation tool—think Zapier or Make, but you own it. Self-hosting means no per-workflow fees, complete data privacy, and unlimited automations.
The catch? Traditional self-hosting requires setting up servers, Docker containers, reverse proxies, SSL certificates, and keeping everything running. That's where Zo Computer changes the game.
The fastest way to self-host n8n
With Zo Computer, you get a personal cloud server with an AI assistant that can set up services for you.
To self-host n8n, simply ask Zo to run our n8n setup prompt. That's it. Your AI will:
Install n8n on your server
Configure it as a managed service that auto-restarts
Set up a public URL (like
n8n-yourname.zocomputer.io)Configure webhooks, so external services can trigger your workflows
You'll have a fully functional n8n instance accessible from anywhere.
What makes this different
No Docker knowledge required. Most self-hosting guides assume you're comfortable with containers, compose files, and terminal commands. Zo handles the infrastructure so you can focus on building automations.
Always accessible. Your n8n runs on a real server with a public URL, not just localhost. Webhooks from Stripe, GitHub, Slack—they all just work.
Managed for you. If your n8n process crashes, it restarts automatically. Your workflows keep running even when you're not watching.
Your data, your server. Unlike cloud automation platforms, your workflows and credentials live on your own Zo Computer. No vendor lock-in, no per-task pricing.
What you can build with n8n
n8n connects to 400+ apps and services. Some popular automations:
Lead capture: Form submission → CRM → Slack notification → Email sequence
Content pipeline: RSS feed → AI summarization → Social media posting
DevOps alerts: GitHub PR → Code review checks → Team notifications
Data sync: Airtable changes → Google Sheets backup → Dashboard update
Customer support: Email received → Sentiment analysis → Ticket routing
The visual workflow builder makes it easy to create complex automations without writing code—though you can add JavaScript or Python nodes when you need custom logic.
Why self-host instead of n8n Cloud?
Self-hosting on Zo gives you:
Unlimited workflow executions — n8n Cloud charges $24-$624/month with execution limits
Your data stays on your server — Not on n8n's infrastructure
Full custom node support — Cloud has limitations
AI assistant built-in — Zo can help you build and debug workflows
One flat cost — n8n is included with your Zo Computer subscription
For hobbyists and small teams, self-hosting on Zo is dramatically more cost-effective. You're already paying for your Zo Computer—n8n is just another service it can run.
What else can you run on Zo?
n8n is just one example. Zo Computer is designed to be your personal server for all kinds of self-hosted software:
VS Code in browser for coding from anywhere
Remote development with your favorite IDE via SSH
Databases like PostgreSQL or Redis
Websites and web apps you build or deploy
Media servers, note-taking apps, dashboards—anything that runs on Linux
Your AI can help you set up and manage any of these, turning what used to require DevOps expertise into a simple conversation.
Resources
n8n documentation — Official guides and API reference
n8n workflow templates — Pre-built automations to get started
Zo n8n setup prompt – Our prompt for setting up n8n on your Zo Computer