n8n GitHub Tutorial: From OAuth App Setup to First Automated Workflow in 15 Minutes

Table of Contents

When it comes to workflow automation, n8n is one of the fastest-growing open-source platforms in the world.

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With years of experience helping companies integrate tools like GitHub, Docker, and self-hosted apps, I can confidently say that n8n GitHub integration is one of the most powerful and flexible ways to automate your development and collaboration processes.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you step by step through:

Setting up a GitHub OAuth App
Connecting it with n8n GitHub credentials
Building your first n8n GitHub workflow (in under 15 minutes)
Covering essentials whether you’re on n8n Docker, n8n GitHub self-hosted, or cloud

By the end, you’ll have a working n8n GitHub integration that can save you hours of work every week.

Why Use n8n with GitHub?

GitHub already has integrations and webhooks, but n8n adds visual automation, advanced conditions, and multi-app workflows.

With n8n, you can automate:

Sending Slack or Discord notifications whenever a PR is merged
Adding issues to Notion or Trello automatically
Backing up repositories to Google Drive or S3
Triggering CI/CD jobs with specific GitHub events

Unlike closed tools like Zapier or Make, n8n is open-source, self-hosted, and has no high pricing limits.

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

A GitHub account
A running instance of n8n (Cloud, Self-hosted, or Docker)
Admin rights to create OAuth Apps on GitHub
Basic understanding of webhooks and API tokens

If you don’t yet run n8n, the easiest way is with n8n Docker:

bashdocker run -it --rm \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -e N8N_HOST="localhost" \
  -e N8N_PORT=5678 \
  -v ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

This launches n8n locally at http://localhost:5678.

Step 1: Create a GitHub OAuth App

Open your GitHub account settings
Navigate to Developer Settings > OAuth Apps > New OAuth App
Fill in:
- Application name: “n8n GitHub Integration”
- Homepage URL: your n8n domain (or http://localhost:5678 if local)
- Authorization callback URL: http://localhost:5678/rest/oauth2-credential/callback
After saving, copy your Client ID and Client Secret

These will connect GitHub to n8n securely.

Step 2: Add GitHub Credentials in n8n

Go to n8n’s Credentials section
Search for “GitHub” and select “OAuth2 API”
Enter your Client ID and Client Secret
Save & Authenticate
Once done, your n8n GitHub credentials are ready

This unlocks GitHub triggers, actions, and APIs directly within n8n workflows.

Step 3: Build Your First n8n GitHub Workflow

Let’s automate a simple example:

When a new issue is created in GitHub, send a Slack notification.

In n8n editor, click New Workflow
Add a GitHub Trigger node
- Choose event: New Issue
- Select your OAuth credentials
- Pick the repository (e.g., zie619/n8n-github)
Add a Slack (or Email) node
- Connect your Slack credentials
- Customize the message: “New GitHub issue created by {{$json[“user”][“login”]}}”
Connect the nodes and save

Now, each new GitHub issue instantly sends a Slack alert.

Step 4: Going Beyond Simple Workflows

Once you understand the basics, you can use:

n8n GitHub templates (pre-built community workflows)
n8n workflows with multiple apps (GitHub + Jira, GitHub + Asana, GitHub + Notion)
n8n GitHub self-hosted setup for enterprise security
Branch-specific triggers (only main)

For CI/CD automation, couple n8n GitHub with Docker, so workflows trigger deployments.

Advanced: Running n8n GitHub Self-Hosted

Self-hosted deployment gives you full control over data. With n8n Docker, set environment variables for GitHub OAuth:

textversion: '3'

services:
  n8n:
    image: n8nio/n8n
    ports:
      - "5678:5678"
    environment:
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin
      - N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=secret
      - N8N_OAUTH_GITHUB_CLIENT_ID=xxxx
      - N8N_OAUTH_GITHUB_CLIENT_SECRET=yyyy
    volumes:
      - ~/.n8n:/home/node/.n8n

Run with:

bashdocker-compose up -d

Now you have n8n GitHub integration running securely in your infrastructure.

Why Developers Love n8n GitHub

Open-source flexibility (no vendor lock-in)
Visually buildable workflows without coding
Extend with custom nodes or Python code execution
n8n GitHub templates make starting faster
Scale self-hosted with Docker/Kubernetes

n8n GitHub vs Zapier and Make

Feature	n8n GitHub	Zapier	Make (Integromat)
Open-source	Yes	No	No
Self-hosted option	Yes	No	No
Free tier limit	Unlimited locally	Limited tasks	Limited operations
Custom code support	Python, JS, APIs	Limited	Limited
Cost scaling	Free / server cost	Expensive	Medium

Practical Use Cases for n8n GitHub Workflows

Automatic PR Notifications → Slack/Discord team updates
Code Backup Automation → GitHub repo → Google Drive/S3
CI/CD Triggering → GitHub webhook to deploy via Docker
Issue Tracking → GitHub issues synced into Jira/Notion/Trello
Contributor Reports → Weekly GitHub stats emailed automatically

FAQs on n8n GitHub Workflows

Is n8n free to use?

Yes, n8n is open-source and free. You can self-host without limits.

How to use GitHub with n8n?

Add GitHub OAuth credentials in n8n and use triggers (new issues, PRs, commits) with actions (notifications, backups, custom APIs).

Is n8n a Chinese company?

No, n8n is a German company founded in 2019 by Jan Oberhauser.

Can I run n8n locally?

Yes, using n8n Docker or Node.js you can run it on your laptop.

Who is the CEO of n8n?

Jan Oberhauser is the founder and CEO.

What is the salary of Zapier?

While not directly related, Zapier average salaries are around $120k/year for engineering roles.

Can n8n run Python?

Yes, using the “Execute Command” or “Code” node.

Can I run n8n on my laptop?

Yes, n8n runs locally through Node.js or Docker.

Can I use n8n for commercial use?

Yes, both free self-hosting and paid enterprise versions are available.

What language does n8n use?

It’s written in TypeScript/Node.js.

Which is better, n8n or Make?

n8n is better for developers needing control and self-hosting. Make is easier for beginners but paid.

Is there a n8n certification?

Not yet, but community training exists.

How does n8n compare to Zapier?

Zapier is proprietary and limited, while n8n is open-source with unlimited local workflows.

Is n8n good for production?

Yes, with proper scaling and monitoring, it’s used by enterprises.

How much RAM does n8n use?

A small instance can run with 512MB–1GB RAM, but production workloads should start with 2GB+.