This project demonstrates the deployment of a self-hosted n8n automation platform using Docker, with secure remote access enabled via ngrok. The setup allows workflows and AI-driven automation pipelines to be accessed from anywhere while the local server is running.

• Deployed n8n locally using Docker containers
• Persisted workflow data using Docker volume mapping
• Exposed the local n8n server to the public internet using ngrok
• Enabled webhook and editor access for remote workflow execution
• Designed the setup to support AI agent–based automation workflows

• Automation Platform: n8n
• Containerization: Docker Desktop
• Networking / Tunneling: ngrok
• Operating System: Windows
• Data Persistence: Docker volume (filesystem mode)

• Created an ngrok account and accessed the dashboard
• Downloaded ngrok for Windows
• Authenticated ngrok locally using:

ngrok config add-authtoken <YOUR_NGROK_AUTH_TOKEN>

• Installed Docker Desktop
• Pulled the official n8n Docker image from Docker Hub
• Created a local directory to persist n8n workflow data

• Ran the n8n Docker image with:

  • Host port mapped to container port 5678
  • Volume mapping for persistent data storage
  • Environment variables configured for external access

• Started an HTTP tunnel to expose the local n8n service:

ngrok http 5678

• Used the generated public ngrok URL to access n8n remotely

• n8n editor accessible from any device using the ngrok URL
• Workflows remain persistent across container restarts
• Webhooks and triggers function correctly over the public endpoint
• Suitable foundation for AI agent orchestration and automation pipelines

• Add Docker Compose configuration
• Secure access using ngrok authentication
• Integrate LLM-based AI agents into n8n workflows
• Deploy on a cloud VM for 24/7 availability

This project focuses on infrastructure deployment and automation, not application-level coding, and reflects real-world practices used in AI workflow orchestration.