# n8n for Beginners: Build Your First No-Code Workflow (Hostinger VPS Setup) Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj5VHo55QLw Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Bj5VHo55QLw Generated: 2025-09-16T07:32:16.022+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview This tutorial demonstrates how to set up n8n on a Hostinger VPS and build your first no-code workflow, connecting Gmail and Dropbox to automate file saving. **Key Points:** - The video guides users through setting up n8n on a Hostinger VPS, covering the initial installation and configuration. - It explains how to connect n8n to Gmail by creating an OAuth client ID and secret in Google Cloud Platform, enabling API access. - The tutorial demonstrates adding Dropbox as a resource by creating an app on the Dropbox Developers platform, specifying permissions, and obtaining API keys. - Users learn to build a basic workflow: a Gmail trigger detects emails with attachments, a 'Get a message' node processes the email, and an 'Upload a file' node saves the attachment to a specified Dropbox folder. - The workflow filters Gmail triggers to include only emails with attachments and sets the correct file path in Dropbox. - The process involves obtaining client IDs and secrets from both Google Cloud and Dropbox, and then inputting them into n8n nodes. - The tutorial concludes with executing the workflow and confirming successful integration, showing the attachment being uploaded to Dropbox. ![Screenshot at 00:00: A man in a plaid shirt and glasses stands in front of a computer screen displaying a workflow diagram, gesturing with his hands as he introduces the topic of workflow automation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-00-00.png) **Context:** This tutorial focuses on setting up and utilizing n8n, an open-source workflow automation tool, for beginners. It specifically guides viewers through the process of self-hosting n8n on a Hostinger Virtual Private Server (VPS) and then building a practical workflow that integrates Gmail and Dropbox to automate the saving of email attachments. The tutorial emphasizes a no-code approach, making it accessible for users without extensive programming knowledge. ## Detailed Analysis This tutorial guides beginners through building their first no-code workflow using n8n, focusing on a practical integration between Gmail and Dropbox for automated file management. The process begins with the crucial step of setting up n8n on a Hostinger VPS, which involves accessing the Hostinger control panel, selecting a server location, choosing an operating system (Ubuntu 24.04), and creating a root password for secure access. After the VPS setup, the tutorial details the necessary steps to connect n8n to external services like Gmail and Dropbox. For Gmail integration, it involves navigating the Google Cloud Console to create a project and an OAuth client ID, enabling the Gmail API, and configuring the consent screen and redirect URIs. This process generates the necessary client ID and secret keys required by n8n. Similarly, for Dropbox integration, users are guided to the Dropbox Developers platform to create an app, select scoped access, choose the 'App folder' option, name the app, and obtain the app key and secret. The tutorial then demonstrates building the workflow within n8n: starting with a 'Gmail Trigger' node set to activate on 'Message Received' and filtered for emails with attachments ('has:attachment'), followed by a 'Get a message' node configured to download attachments, and finally an 'Upload a file' node to save these attachments to a specific Dropbox folder named 'FromGmailAttachments'. After these configurations, the workflow is activated and executed, showing a successful transfer of an email attachment from Gmail to Dropbox. The tutorial also briefly touches upon other available triggers and actions within n8n, highlighting the platform's versatility for various automation needs. ### n8n Setup - Install n8n on Hostinger VPS using npm or Docker - Configure server and environment variables - Secure instance with SSL, SSO, or 2FA ### Gmail Integration - Create Google Cloud Project - Enable Gmail API - Configure OAuth consent screen - Obtain Client ID and Client Secret - Create Google API credential in n8n ### Dropbox Integration - Register as Dropbox Developer - Create a Dropbox App - Select Scoped Access and App Folder - Obtain App Key and App Secret - Configure Redirect URIs in n8n ### Workflow Creation - Add Gmail Trigger node - Configure trigger to detect emails with attachments - Add Get a message node to download attachments - Add Upload a file node to save attachments to Dropbox folder - Execute workflow to test ![Screenshot at 00:00: A man in a plaid shirt and glasses stands in front of a computer screen displaying a workflow diagram, gesturing with his hands as he introduces the topic of workflow automation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:53: Screenshot of a web browser showing the n8n.io website, highlighting the URL bar with 'n8n.io' entered.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-00-53.png) ![Screenshot at 01:07: Screenshot of the n8n.io website pricing page, displaying 'Cloud' and 'Self-hosted' options with pricing tiers for Starter, Pro, and Enterprise plans.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-01-07.png) ![Screenshot at 03:04: Screenshot of the n8n documentation page titled 'Self-hosting n8n', showing installation guides and configuration options.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-03-04.png) ![Screenshot at 03:15: Screenshot of the n8n documentation for 'Docker Installation', detailing prerequisites and setup commands.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-03-15.png) ![Screenshot at 04:53: Screenshot of the Hostinger website, displaying VPS hosting plans with pricing and features.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-04-53.png) ![Screenshot at 08:17: Screenshot of the Hostinger VPS setup screen, showing fields for creating a root password and adding an SSH key.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-08-17.png) ![Screenshot at 09:25: Screenshot of the n8n setup wizard asking for owner account details like email, name, and password.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-09-25.png) ![Screenshot at 10:06: Screenshot of the n8n dashboard showing a list of workflows, including 'Gmail Trigger' and 'Get a message' nodes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-10-06.png) ![Screenshot at 10:44: Screenshot of a sample n8n workflow designed to automatically respond to emails, showing the visual flow of nodes from trigger to action.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Bj5VHo55QLw/00-10-44.png)