N8N
n8n Configuration
How to configure and customize your n8n instance on OpenCloud.
Configure n8n
After deploying n8n, you can customize it through environment variables and the n8n settings panel.
Default configuration
OpenCloud sets up n8n with sensible defaults:
| Setting | Default Value | What it does |
|---|---|---|
N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY | Auto-generated | Encrypts your saved credentials (API keys, passwords) |
DB_TYPE | postgresdb | Uses your PostgreSQL database |
GENERIC_TIMEZONE | Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh | Sets the timezone for scheduled workflows |
EXECUTIONS_DATA_PRUNE | true | Automatically deletes old execution data |
EXECUTIONS_DATA_MAX_AGE | 336 (14 days) | How long to keep execution history |
N8N_DIAGNOSTICS_ENABLED | false | Telemetry is disabled for privacy |
Common customizations
Change the timezone
If you're not in Vietnam, update the timezone:
- Go to your n8n application > Environment Variables
- Update
GENERIC_TIMEZONEandTZto your timezone (e.g.,America/New_York,Europe/London) - Save and restart the application
Change execution history retention
By default, n8n keeps execution data for 14 days. To change this:
- Go to Environment Variables
- Update
EXECUTIONS_DATA_MAX_AGE(value in hours, e.g.,720= 30 days) - Save and restart
Change the language
- Go to Environment Variables
- Update
N8N_DEFAULT_LOCALE(e.g.,vifor Vietnamese,enfor English) - Save and restart
Important: Encryption key
Never change or delete
N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY after you've saved credentials in n8n. This key encrypts all your stored API keys and passwords. Changing it will make all saved credentials unreadable.Connecting n8n to other services
Inside n8n, you can add "credentials" to connect to external services:
- Open your n8n dashboard
- Go to Settings > Credentials
- Click Add Credential
- Search for the service (e.g., Google Sheets, Slack, GitHub)
- Follow the on-screen instructions to authenticate
Custom domain
To access n8n from your own domain, see Custom Domains. After connecting a domain, n8n automatically updates its webhook URLs to use your new domain.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| n8n won't start | Check that your PostgreSQL database is running |
| Workflows don't trigger on schedule | Verify the timezone setting is correct |
| Credentials don't work | Check that N8N_ENCRYPTION_KEY hasn't been changed |
| Execution history is missing | Data is automatically pruned after 14 days by default |
Need help? Check the n8n logs for error messages, or submit a support ticket.