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Definitive Guide: How to install n8n on a VPS with Docker (Step-by-Step)
n8n VPS Docker Seguridad Automatización DevOps

Definitive Guide: How to install n8n on a VPS with Docker (Step-by-Step)

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NIMxion Intelligence

The Ultimate n8n VPS Hosting Guide (2025)

Phase 1: Infrastructure

  • OS: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
  • Hardware: 2 vCPU / 4GB RAM recommended for production.

Phase 2: Setup

Install the modern Docker Engine and Compose plugin:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose-v2 -y

Phase 3: The Hardened docker-compose.yml

We use a spec-compliant Compose file with PostgreSQL 15, least-privilege security options, and automated 30-day log purging.

Phase 4: Management Commands

Run in background:

docker compose up -d

Phase 5: Security Layer (Nginx & SSL)

We bind n8n to

127.0.0.1
for safety, then use Nginx as a reverse proxy with Certbot for automated Let's Encrypt SSL certificates.

The Variable Encyclopedia

  • Encryption Key: Protects your API credentials.
  • Process Isolation: Ensures stability under heavy load.
  • Data Pruning: Keeps your storage clean by purging logs every 30 days.

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