n8n + HTTPS (nginx reverse proxy)

Run n8n with HTTPS using nginx as a reverse proxy. Works on localhost or your home network.

Prerequisites

• Docker & Docker Compose
• SSL certificates in certs/ (see below)

Quick start

1. Generate or add SSL certificates

You need cert.pem and key.pem in the certs/ folder.

Self-signed (local / home network):

# Windows (requires Git for Windows or OpenSSL - script auto-detects Git's OpenSSL)
.\generate-certs.ps1

# Linux / Mac / WSL
chmod +x generate-certs.sh
./generate-certs.sh

Windows without Git? Use WSL and run the bash script above.

See certs/CERTREADME.md for more options (Let's Encrypt, etc.).

2. Set your hostname (optional)

Create a .env file from the example:

cp .env.example .env

Edit .env and set N8N_HOST and WEBHOOK_URL to how you'll access n8n:

• localhost only: N8N_HOST=localhost (default)
• Home network: N8N_HOST=your-pc-name or N8N_HOST=192.168.1.100

3. Run

docker compose up -d

• HTTPS: https://localhost (or https://your-hostname)
• HTTP: http://localhost → redirects to HTTPS
• Direct n8n: http://localhost:5678 (bypasses nginx)

Files

File	Purpose
docker-compose.yml	n8n + nginx services
nginx.conf	Reverse proxy, SSL, HTTP→HTTPS redirect
certs/	Put cert.pem and key.pem here
.env	Override N8N_HOST and WEBHOOK_URL

Notes

• Self-signed certs: browsers will show a security warning—click through or add an exception.
• For webhooks from external services, use a hostname/IP they can reach (e.g. your public IP or a domain with port forwarding).
• Ensure your hostname resolves: add it to /etc/hosts (or C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) or use your machine's IP.