n8n-advanced

Enhanced n8n with persistent Python packages, PostgreSQL database, and intelligent update system for professional workflow automation.

Quick Start

git clone https://github.com/StardawnAI/n8n-advanced.git
cd n8n-advanced/.devcontainer
docker-compose up -d

Access at: http://localhost:5678

Architecture Overview

This setup provides a production-ready n8n environment with:

• Persistent Data Storage: All workflows, credentials, and Python packages survive updates
• Intelligent Update System: Separate update paths for n8n, PostgreSQL, and Python packages
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Professional Monitoring: Python package installation status tracking

What's Included

• PostgreSQL Database: Persistent data storage with automatic backups
• Python Environment: Pre-configured with scientific computing libraries
• Update Scripts: Granular control over component updates
• Default Workflows: Pre-imported automation templates
• Monitoring System: Real-time status tracking for all components

Volume Persistence System

All data persists across container updates:

volumes:
  n8n_data:           # Workflows, credentials, executions
  postgres_data:      # Database content
  python_packages:    # Installed Python libraries

What survives updates:

• All workflows and credentials
• Database content and user accounts
• Python packages (both pre-installed and manually added)
• Custom configurations and settings

Update System

Individual Component Updates

# Update only n8n (30 seconds)
bash updates/update-n8n.sh

# Update only Python packages (1-2 minutes)
bash updates/update-packages.sh

# Update only PostgreSQL (30 seconds)  
bash updates/update-postgres.sh

# Update everything (2-3 minutes)
bash updates/update-all.sh

Automated Scheduling

Set up automatic updates with cron:

# Daily n8n updates
0 3 * * * /path/to/project/updates/update-n8n.sh >> /var/log/n8n-update.log 2>&1

# Weekly full updates
0 4 * * 0 /path/to/project/updates/update-all.sh >> /var/log/all-updates.log 2>&1

Python Package Management

Runtime Installation Process

Python packages install during container startup (not build time) for improved reliability:

1. Container starts with n8n running immediately
2. Workflows import within 30 seconds
3. Python packages install in background (5 minutes initial setup)
4. Status monitoring tracks installation progress

Monitoring Python Installation

# Check installation status
docker-compose exec n8n-advanced cat /home/node/.n8n/python-status

# Possible values: installing, ready, failed, updating

Adding New Packages

Method 1 - Runtime Installation (Temporary):

docker-compose exec n8n-advanced pip install new-package --break-system-packages

Method 2 - Persistent Installation:

1. Add package to requirements.txt
2. Run: bash updates/update-packages.sh
3. Package persists across all future updates

⚠️ CRITICAL: Windows Users

Container won't start? Fix line endings:

cd "path/to/n8n-advanced/.devcontainer"
(Get-Content setup-defaults.sh -Raw) -replace "`r`n","`n" | Set-Content setup-defaults.sh -NoNewline -Encoding ASCII

Prevention: In VS Code, change "CRLF" to "LF" in bottom-right status bar when editing .sh files.

Technical Considerations

Build vs Runtime: System packages install during build (30 seconds), Python packages install at container startup (5 minutes) for better reliability.

Fault Isolation: n8n starts immediately even if Python installation fails. Components degrade gracefully.

Cross-Platform: All scripts use /bin/bash for Windows/Linux compatibility.

Troubleshooting

Workflows Not Imported Automatically

# Manual import if needed
docker-compose exec n8n-advanced n8n import:workflow --input="/usr/src/app/default-workflows/" --separate

Container Won't Start (Windows)

• Most common cause: CRLF line endings in .sh files
• Fix: Use the PowerShell command above

Python Packages Not Available

# Check status
docker-compose exec n8n-advanced cat /home/node/.n8n/python-status
# Restart if failed
docker-compose restart n8n-advanced

Deployment with Custom Domain

For production deployment with custom domain and SSL:

• Google Cloud: GCP n8n Guide
• Oracle Cloud: Oracle n8n Guide

Replace the Docker commands in those guides with this repo URL.

Updates

Updates happen automatically via GitHub Actions. Your custom files are protected by .gitattributes merge strategies.