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n8n-docs/docs/try-it-out/quickstart.md
Deborah Barnard 109966a5f4 edits [skip ci]
2022-04-25 10:03:56 +01:00

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The very quick quickstart

This quickstart gives you a very quick taste of n8n. Its aim is to allow you to try out the UI, and introduce you to two key features: workflow templates and expressions. It doesn't include detailed explanations or explore concepts.

You will:

  • Install the desktop app
  • Load a workflow from the workflow templates library
  • Add a node and configure it using expressions.
  • Run your first workflow

Step one: Install and run n8n

n8n is available as a Cloud service, desktop app, npm module, and Docker image. For this quickstart, use the Desktop app.

!!! note "Linux users" This guide uses the n8n desktop app, which is available for Windows and Mac. If you're on Linux, sign up for a free Cloud trial, or use npm.

  1. Download for Windows or Download for macOS.
  2. Once the download finishes, extract the files.
  3. Run the installer. It has no configuration steps.
  4. Once installation is complete, n8n Desktop opens automatically in the Workflow templates view. There may be a small lag between installation completing and the app opening.

Step two: Open a workflow template

We've created a quickstart template using training nodes. This allows you to work with fake data, and avoids setting up credentials.

  1. On the Workflow templates view, search for Very quick quickstart.
  2. Click the Very quick quickstart template to preview it.
  3. Click Use this workflow to open the template in your own editor.

This is a simple workflow. It:

  1. Gets example data from the Customer Datastore node.
  2. Uses the Set node to extract just the data we want, and assign that data to variables. In this example, we use the customer name, ID, and description.

Double click a node to explore its settings and how it processes data.

Step three: Add a node

Add a third node to message each customer and tell them their description:

  1. Click Add node Add node icon.
  2. Search for Customer Messenger. n8n shows a list of nodes that match the search.
  3. Click Customer Messenger (n8n training) to add the node to the canvas.
  4. Make sure the Set node connects to Customer Messenger: close the Customer Messenger node, then drag the connector from the right side of Set to the left connection point on Customer Messenger.
  5. Double click the Customer Messenger node to open it.
  6. You're going to use expressions to create the Customer ID and Message:
    1. Next to Customer ID, click Parameter options Parameter options icon > Add Expression. n8n opens the expressions editor for this field.
    2. Copy this expression into the editor: 
      {{$json["customer_ID"]}}
    3. Close the expressions editor.
    4. Next to Message, click Parameter options Parameter options icon > Add Expression. n8n opens the expressions editor for this field.
    5. Copy this expression into the editor: 
      {{ "Hi " + $json.customer_name + ",  Your description is " + $json.customer_description }}
  7. Close the expressions editor, then close the Customer Messenger node.
  8. Click Execute workflow. n8n runs the workflow.

What's next?

  • Read n8n's longer try it out tutorial for a more complex workflow, and an introduction to more features and n8n concepts.
  • Take the courses.
  • Explore hosting options.
  • Check out example workflows: the n8n blog contains tutorials around popular examples, while the workflow templates gives you a community-sourced library of inspiration and starting points.