n8n Tutorial: Build Your First Workflow in 15 Minutes

n8n is one of the best automation tools in 2026, and it's completely free to self-host. But most tutorials make it seem more complicated than it is. This guide takes you from zero to a working automation in 15 minutes. No prior experience needed. What is n8n? n8n (pronounced "n-eight-n") is a visual automation tool. You connect apps together with a drag-and-drop interface. When something happens in App A, n8n automatically does something in App B. Think: "When I publish a blog post, automatically share it on Instagram, Reddit, and Telegram." Why n8n Instead of Zapier? Free self-hosted — Zapier starts at $30/month No execution limits — Run as many automations as you want Code nodes — Add JavaScript when visual nodes aren't enough Self-hosted privacy — Your data stays on your server 500+ integrations — Plus custom HTTP requests for any API Step 1: Install n8n (2 Minutes) Option A: Try Instantly (No Install) npx n8n This runs n8n temporarily on your machine. Open http://localhost:5678 in