If you want to access your n8n workflows from anywhere in the world, running n8n with Docker and exposing it using ngrok is one of the easiest setups.
This guide helps you:
- Run n8n inside Docker
- Keep workflows persistent
- Expose n8n publicly with ngrok
- Access workflows remotely
- Use webhooks from Telegram, WhatsApp, APIs, etc.
Requirements
Install these first:
- Docker Desktop
- ngrok account
Step 1 — Install Docker
Windows
Install Docker Desktop:
After installing in cmd check version by following command:
docker --version
Ubuntu/Linux
Download Docker Desktop
Install gnome-terminal:
sudo apt install gnome-terminal
Navigate to where you download docker desktop like "/Downloads"
Install Docker:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt install ./docker-desktop-amd64.deb
Check:
docker --version
Step 2 — Create n8n Data Folder
This stores workflows permanently.
mkdir n8n-data
Linux users:
sudo chown -R 1000:1000 n8n-data
Step 3 — Run n8n in Docker
Run this command:
docker run -it --name n8n \-p 5678:5678 \-v ./n8n-data:/home/node/.n8n \n8nio/n8n
Now open:
http://localhost:5678
You’ll see the n8n setup screen.
Step 4 — Create ngrok Account
Create free account:
Download ngrok and install it.
Step 5 — Connect ngrok Account
Copy your auth token from dashboard.
Run:
ngrok config add-authtoken YOUR_TOKEN
Step 6 — Expose n8n Publicly
Run:
ngrok http 5678
You’ll get something like:
https://abc123.ngrok-free.app
Now anyone with this link can access your n8n instance.
Step 7 — Configure n8n for Webhooks (Important)
Without this, webhook URLs may fail.
Stop the old container:
docker stop n8ndocker rm n8n
Run again with webhook settings:
docker run -it --name n8n \-p 5678:5678 \-e WEBHOOK_URL=https://YOUR-NGROK-URL.ngrok-free.app \-v ./n8n-data:/home/node/.n8n \n8nio/n8n
Replace:
YOUR-NGROK-URL
with your actual ngrok domain.
Step 8 — Test Webhook
Create workflow:
Webhook → Respond to Webhook
Activate workflow.
Copy webhook URL.
Open it in browser.
If it responds:
Workflow executed
Everything works.
Bonus — Run n8n in Background
Instead of interactive mode:
docker run -d --restart unless-stopped \--name n8n \-p 5678:5678 \-e WEBHOOK_URL=https://YOUR-NGROK-URL.ngrok-free.app \-v ./n8n-data:/home/node/.n8n \n8nio/n8n
