A step‑by‑step guide to connect DigitalOcean with n8n, deploy securely, and automate snapshots, scaling, and alerts—fast. Includes Docker/Caddy setup, API tokens, and ready‑to‑copy workflows.

Hosting & Domains

How to Connect DigitalOcean with n8n (Step‑by‑Step) to Automate Your Business Workflows

Want to spin up reliable automations without babysitting servers? This guide shows you exactly how to connect DigitalOcean with n8n—so you can deploy in minutes, secure it properly, and start triggering real business workflows (snapshots, scaling, alerts) today.

👉 Start with DigitalOcean using my link for a fast, clean setup: https://m.do.co/c/7ed566d1ca58 (this supports the guide—thank you!)

Table of contents [Show]

What You’ll Build (Fast)
Two Ways to Deploy n8n on DigitalOcean
- Option A — The Quickest: DigitalOcean 1‑Click App
- Option B — Docker Compose on a Fresh Droplet (Recommended for Control)
Secure the Basics (5 Minutes)
Connect n8n to the DigitalOcean API
Ready‑to‑Use Automations (Copy/Paste)
Deployment Options (Quick Comparison)
FAQs
Your Next Step

What You’ll Build (Fast)

A production‑ready n8n instance on DigitalOcean (1‑Click or Docker).
Free HTTPS via Caddy or a reverse proxy.
Secure auth + Postgres persistence for stability.
API credentials wired into n8n to automate: droplet snapshots, new server creation, health alerts, and more.

Why DigitalOcean + n8n?

One‑click n8n Droplet gets you online fast. DigitalOcean
Official n8n on DigitalOcean guide (uses Docker Compose + Caddy). n8n Docs
SSL via reverse proxy is the recommended approach. n8n Docs

👉 Ready? Create your account/droplet here: https://m.do.co/c/7ed566d1ca58

Two Ways to Deploy n8n on DigitalOcean

Option A — The Quickest: DigitalOcean 1‑Click App

Open the n8n 1‑Click on the DigitalOcean Marketplace and create a Droplet. DigitalOcean
Point your domain to the Droplet’s IP (A record).
Log in to n8n via the URL provided and set your credentials.

Best for testing and getting live fast. You can refine and secure more later.

Option B — Docker Compose on a Fresh Droplet (Recommended for Control)

Create a Droplet (Ubuntu LTS, 2GB+ RAM recommended). DigitalOcean Docs
Install Docker & Docker Compose, then deploy n8n with Caddy + Postgres following the official DigitalOcean hosting guide for n8n. n8n Docs+1

Sample docker-compose.yml (production‑ready skeleton):

yaml

version: "3.8" services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:15-alpine
    environment:
      - POSTGRES_USER=n8n
      - POSTGRES_PASSWORD=change-me
      - POSTGRES_DB=n8n
    volumes:
      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    restart: unless-stopped

  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n:latest
    depends_on: [postgres]
    environment:
      - N8N_HOST=n8n.yourdomain.com
      - N8N_PORT=5678
      - WEBHOOK_URL=https://n8n.yourdomain.com/
      - DB_TYPE=postgresdb
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=postgres
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=5432
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8n
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=n8n
      - DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=change-me
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=use-a-strong-password
      - EXECUTIONS_DATA_PRUNE=true
      - EXECUTIONS_DATA_MAX_AGE=336
      - TZ=UTC
    volumes:
      - n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n
    restart: unless-stopped

  caddy:
    image: caddy:2
    depends_on: [n8n]
    ports:
      - "80:80"
      - "443:443"
    volumes:
      - ./Caddyfile:/etc/caddy/Caddyfile
      - caddy_data:/data
      - caddy_config:/config
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  postgres_data:
  n8n_data:
  caddy_data:
  caddy_config:

Caddyfile

Caddy will automatically fetch and renew TLS certificates, giving you HTTPS out of the box. n8n Docs

Pro tip: Use Postgres for production; SQLite is default but Postgres improves stability and scaling. n8n Docs+1

👉 Launch your Droplet here and follow along: https://m.do.co/c/7ed566d1ca58

Prompt: Clean DevOps dashboard screenshot mockup of Docker Compose services (n8n, Postgres, Caddy) running on a DigitalOcean Droplet, dark UI, terminal panes, subtle DigitalOcean blue accents, professional SaaS style.
Short description: Visualizes the stack we’re deploying.

Secure the Basics (5 Minutes)

Basic Auth: Keep your editor private using N8N_BASIC_AUTH_* variables (as shown above). Osher Digital
Domain & HTTPS: Terminate TLS at Caddy/reverse proxy (recommended by n8n). n8n Docs
Persistence: Map volumes for n8n and Postgres to avoid data loss.
Prune Executions: Control DB growth with EXECUTIONS_DATA_PRUNE=true and EXECUTIONS_DATA_MAX_AGE. n8n Community

Connect n8n to the DigitalOcean API

Step 1 — Create a Personal Access Token

In the DO dashboard: API → Generate New Token (read/write if you’ll create droplets/snapshots). DigitalOcean Docs

Step 2 — Add Credentials in n8n

Create a Generic credential or directly add a header in HTTP Request nodes:

Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_TOKEN> (all API calls must be HTTPS). DigitalOcean Docs

Step 3 — Test a Simple Call (List Droplets)

Method: GET
URL: https://api.digitalocean.com/v2/droplets
Header: Authorization: Bearer <token> DigitalOcean Docs+1

Prompt: n8n canvas close‑up showing an HTTP Request node configured with Bearer token to DigitalOcean API, modern dark theme, crisp UI focus on headers panel.
Short description: Shows the credential wiring inside n8n.

Ready‑to‑Use Automations (Copy/Paste)

1) Nightly Droplet Snapshot

Workflow: Cron → HTTP Request (POST)

URL: https://api.digitalocean.com/v2/droplets/{DROPLET_ID}/actions
Body: { "type": "snapshot", "name": "pre-maintenance-{{ $now }}" }
Header: Authorization: Bearer <token>
This uses DO’s Droplet actions endpoint to snapshot the server. Consider powering off first for consistency. DigitalOcean Docs+1

2) On‑Demand Worker Droplet

Workflow: Webhook → HTTP Request (POST)

URL: https://api.digitalocean.com/v2/droplets
Body example:

Header: Authorization: Bearer <token>
Use correct slugs for region/size/image (check the slug list). DigitalOcean Docs DEV Community

3) Health Alerts → Slack/Email

Workflow: Cron → HTTP (GET /v2/droplets) → IF (status/metrics) → Slack/Email node.
Add thresholds (CPU > 80%? Send alert & scale). DigitalOcean Docs

👉 Start building with a clean DO account from this link: https://m.do.co/c/7ed566d1ca58

Prompt: Infographic style diagram of n8n → DigitalOcean API → Slack/Email, with arrows and icons, teal and ocean‑blue palette, enterprise look.
Short description: Explains the alerting automation flow.

Deployment Options (Quick Comparison)

Option	Best For	Setup Time	SSL	Notes
DO 1‑Click n8n	Fastest start	Minutes	Yes	Simplest path for pilots. DigitalOcean
Docker + Caddy on DO	Control & scale	~30–45 min	Auto	Official guide; great for production. n8n Docs
n8n Cloud	Zero‑ops	Minutes	Managed	Hosted by n8n (no server work).
Other clouds	Existing contracts	Varies	Varies	Use the same reverse‑proxy + Docker approach. n8n Docs

Prompt: Clean table screenshot mockup comparing deployment paths, subtle DigitalOcean branding, modern SaaS dashboard aesthetic.
Short description: Visual summary of options.

FAQs

1) Do I really need Postgres?
For production, yes—Postgres is recommended for stability and growth; SQLite is default but better for small tests. n8n Docs+1

2) How do I secure the editor quickly?
Set N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true plus username/password environment variables, or use JWT/SAML later. Osher Digital

3) Can I trigger snapshots and new droplets entirely from n8n?
Absolutely—use HTTP Request nodes to call DO’s /v2/droplets and droplet actions endpoints with a Bearer token. DigitalOcean Docs+1

4) Where do I find valid region/size/image slugs?
Use DigitalOcean’s docs & slug references before creating droplets programmatically. DigitalOcean Docs DEV Community

5) How do I get HTTPS?
Terminate TLS at a reverse proxy (Caddy/Traefik)—it’s the recommended path and handles renewals automatically. n8n Docs

Your Next Step

You now have the blueprint to deploy, secure, and automate with DigitalOcean + n8n—no wasted time, no guesswork. Launch your Droplet and start shipping real workflows today.

👉 Claim your DigitalOcean setup now: https://m.do.co/c/7ed566d1ca58
Use this link as you follow the guide—it’s the fastest path to your first automation.

Tags:

DigitalOcean n8n workflow automation Docker Compose Caddy reverse proxy API automation DevOps Postgres SSL/TLS

Osama Goda

Alice. One of the court. All this time she saw them, they were gardeners, or soldiers, or.