Step 1: Install Docker Desktop

Go to:

Docker Desktop Download

1. Download Docker Desktop for Apple Silicon (M-series).

2. Open the .dmg file.

3. Drag Docker to the Applications folder.

4. Open Docker.

5. Wait until Docker says Engine Running.

You can verify by opening Terminal:

docker --version

You should see something like:

Docker version 28.x.x

Step 2: Create a folder for n8n

Open Terminal.

mkdir ~/n8n
cd ~/n8n

Step 3: Start n8n

Run this command:

docker volume create n8n_data

docker run -it --name n8n \
-p 5678:5678 \
-v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n

This downloads n8n automatically the first time. (npm)

Step 4: Open n8n

Open your browser.

Go to:

http://localhost:5678

You'll see the n8n welcome page.

Create:

• Your account

• Email

• Password

Done.

Step 5: Stop n8n

Press:

Ctrl + C

or

docker stop n8n

Step 6: Start it again later

Whenever you want to use n8n:

docker start n8n

Then open:

http://localhost:5678

Step 7: View running containers

docker ps

Step 8: View all containers

docker ps -a

Step 9: Remove n8n (optional)

docker stop n8n
docker rm n8n

Even Easier: Run without installing globally

If you already have Node.js, you can simply run:

npx n8n

or install it globally:

npm install -g n8n
n8n start

However, Docker is generally preferred because it keeps everything isolated and makes updates easier. (npm)

Update n8n

Pull the latest image:

docker pull docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n