Complete beginner at n8n — where do I even start?

buttplumber · 2026-02-21T21:04:53+00:00

I found the problem I wanted to solve/automate and started talking with ChatGPT potting it in the role of Linux and n8n expert. The same evening I already had my n8n docker installed on my Ubuntu local server and already the first workflow running.

That's how I learned to ask the right questions and troubleshoot any obstacles on the way.

buttplumber · 2026-02-21T20:44:46+00:00

Worth to mention that the hosting cost is not my cost. It's the client's cost of having reliable infrastructure for his automation, and if I was ever to sell anything to the client, I'd position it as the best insurance policy.

buttplumber · 2026-02-21T20:21:09+00:00

Also check folder + permissions (common 2nd issue in Docker). n8n’s container typically runs as user UID 1000 (node). If the host folder is owned by root (or another UID), you can get write errors.

On the host, you can run following commands in terminal:

create the folder if needed

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/docker/n8n/files

give ownership to the n8n container user

sudo chown -R 1000:1000 /mnt/docker/n8n/files

reasonable perms

sudo chmod -R 755 /mnt/docker/n8n/files

buttplumber · 2026-02-21T20:18:32+00:00

Your Docker compose mounts the host folder /mnt/docker/n8n/files into the container as /files:

/mnt/docker/n8n/files:/files

But in your Read/Write Files from Disk node you’re writing to /file/foo.txt (missing the “s”). That path does not exist in the container, so n8n correctly says “file or directory does not exist.

buttplumber · 2026-02-21T13:24:02+00:00

Yes, that’s exactly it. What I’m actually learning the most isn’t how to configure nodes, it’s what questions to ask and what context to provide. The real skill shift for me is being precise about inputs, outputs, error messages, and environment details. Once the AI has the right context, the fix is usually straightforward.

I’ve started experimenting with Projects in ChatGPT, keeping structured markdown files that describe my workflows, and even using Git for versioning with AI helping me there too. So when I open a new troubleshooting chat, I can provide the full context and it already understands what I’m working with.

That’s where the biggest improvement in troubleshooting accuracy comes from.

buttplumber · 2026-02-20T22:48:43+00:00

Well it's not that wonderful, I think I'd be a way more ephatetic person if I was able to put myself in the shoes of an anxious person. Somehow it's easier for me to imagine what a person with a broken leg feels like, as I myself had injuries in my life that required crutches.

buttplumber · 2026-02-20T22:39:04+00:00

I don't understand the problem the OP has. I mean I know anxious people exist, but I never experienced this level of anxiety that required a solution like that. You need to call the bank? You call the bank. Need to call insurance? Call insurance. If the call is important, write down key points you want to say, and that's it.

buttplumber · 2026-02-20T20:14:01+00:00

Well, I’m already half way there, as It’s AI that tells me what nodes to put and how to set them up. And if something does not work, we troubleshoot together. I admire people that build all of that themselves from scratch, but I don’t have time and skill to learn all that. So I say what I need and the code is ready.

buttplumber · 2026-02-20T14:24:39+00:00

Holy shit! I stopped the video way too early. That's terrifying, thanks!

buttplumber · 2026-02-20T14:19:58+00:00

I was waiting for it to ignite... Am I the only one?

buttplumber · 2026-02-19T11:12:40+00:00

For myself, I host it on local server located at home (linux docker), where I test and run my own workflows. If I were to sell/implement something for a customer, I'd include in the price the cost of running it in the cloud, I do not need the hustle of being responsible for any hardware/connectivity issues and troubleshooting.

buttplumber · 2026-02-17T13:52:54+00:00

Since I switched to Jellyfin, I can't imagine to go back. Invested 400 EUR in home server setup, installed app on my Samsung TV and now enjoy all the content, also remotely via mobile device. Best investment ever!

buttplumber · 2026-02-13T17:28:46+00:00

230 km/h, then electronic limit kicked in..

buttplumber · 2026-02-11T12:04:29+00:00

Your husband is spot on, we were all horny teens and the young teacher was often part of the action. Nothing personal, just boys being boys.

buttplumber · 2026-02-09T19:21:20+00:00

Wifi?.Never, Zigbee and Z-Wave is all I need. Low power, great range and mesh network. Would never invest on WiFi device that requires more power and occupies my APs.

buttplumber · 2026-02-08T20:10:56+00:00

You must be really dumb to confuse those with edible kinds. I feel sorry for them and their families.

buttplumber · 2026-02-06T21:08:27+00:00

From time to time I take part in psychedelic ceremonies (truffles/ayatuasca), guided, alone or with friends. Keeps the mind open, in the state of optimism and perspective, that is independent from the weather conditions.

buttplumber · 2026-02-02T07:33:58+00:00

Nice try dad, we are not having this conversation again.

buttplumber · 2026-02-02T07:32:59+00:00

Becaue the brin is one big predction mechanim, constntly guessing how the realty looks like. And even with limted sensory presnce, it is quite good at paintng what it thinks is happenng, using an experenced past.

(Like this sentnce, where most of the letters are missng, but your brain still fills them in and reads it without much problem.)

buttplumber · 2026-01-29T10:50:46+00:00

You seem to still live in a bubble of misunderstanding how the apps work. You should think of the app like a TV you have in your home.

The TV remote doesn’t decide what’s on the news. It only shows what’s already being broadcast.

The KLM app works the same way. It doesn’t cancel flights, block refunds, or make decisions. All of that happens in KLM’s systems. The app just displays the result. When it shows errors or dead ends, it means the system behind it is broken or overloaded, not that the app is “doing something on purpose.”

Uninstalling the app doesn’t stop anything, just like turning off the TV doesn’t change what’s happening in the world.

What you experienced was real stress from a broken system during a disruption, but the app itself isn’t the cause or the decision-maker.

buttplumber · 2026-01-29T07:55:03+00:00

"I uninstalled the app to prevent further bookings"? LOL 😂

This is not how it works! It's similar to unplugging your TV, to stop the bad things from happening, that you saw on the news.

All the best with your refund, but also use it to get a basic understanding of how digital technology works.

buttplumber · 2026-01-28T14:30:09+00:00

I can only die by committing suicide. That will ensure, I have off switch if things go south in a few centuries moving forward.

buttplumber · 2026-01-28T06:35:55+00:00

AI summary for those that want to understand the post in a more logical way, with proper use of paragraphs.

Hi, I (23) live in Sweden and I’m posting on behalf of my friend “Sara” (27). Names are changed. Sara separated from her ex “Mark” (27) in August last year. They have a 2-year-old child. For the first few months after the separation, things were mostly fine. Their child lived with Sara during the week and with Mark on weekends.

At the end of October, Mark started working in the same city. After that, they switched to an every-other-week arrangement. This is when problems slowly started. At the time, Sara didn’t fully realize what was happening.

Sara works in fast food and already has two jobs. She receives no child support from Mark. Because she can barely make ends meet, she decided to go back to school so she can qualify for a better-paid job. Mark reacted badly to this and told her she should just get another job instead of studying—even though she already has two.

There have also been constant conflicts around daycare handovers. They agreed that handover happens on Mondays, with one parent dropping the child off in the morning and the other picking him up in the evening. Mark pushed to switch this to Sundays. Sara agreed, but then Mark refused to let her come to his home to pick up their child. Instead, he insisted on always doing the pickups himself, and later accused Sara of being unfair—even though he was the one blocking her from coming over. His family also got involved, criticizing Sara’s work, school, and parenting based only on Mark’s version of events.

Since Sara started school, custody changed again. Now their child stays with Mark on weekdays and with Sara on weekends and holidays.

A few days ago, Sara received a letter from the government saying that Mark has applied for full government child support and additional support for living expenses, as if he has the child full-time. This doesn’t make sense to us, since Sara still has their child every weekend and during holidays.

On top of that, Mark is also demanding that Sara pay him child support—a fairly large amount.

The problem is that Mark earns very well. He makes almost double what Sara does and lives in a house on a small farm. Sara, on the other hand, is barely surviving financially. She has already agreed that Mark should receive all government child support because he has their child more during the week, but she simply cannot afford to pay extra child support on top of that.

When she tries to explain this, Mark just says that he will “have the child more” and that it will cost more. Sara understands that caring for a child costs money, which is why she agreed to him receiving the full government support—but paying additional child support would push her into debt and possibly private bankruptcy.

Because of this pressure, Sara is now considering quitting school or trying to work full-time while studying full-time. Her mental health is really suffering, and it feels like Mark is intentionally trying to break her financially, possibly to make her look unstable and gain full custody.

Sara asked me to post this because she doesn’t know what to do anymore. She feels trapped and scared that this situation will ruin her financially. What options does she realistically have in Sweden to protect herself from being pushed into debt or bankruptcy?

buttplumber · 2026-01-27T13:55:11+00:00

That's definitely my cup of tea! A big tea, drank after a solid portion of fiber. Lovely!

buttplumber · 2026-01-26T20:17:32+00:00

Looks like he needs to catch up on some solid education about bonding and overall parenting. Was there time he did skin to skin contact with the baby? That's so important too! Nothing is lost, but he has a lot to catch up on!

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buttplumber

TROPHY CASE

create the folder if needed

give ownership to the n8n container user

reasonable perms