github repo> https://github.com/karimbaidar/n8n-localflow
I built LocalFlow: a safety layer for local and self-hosted n8n
I built LocalFlow because the hard part of running n8n is not only starting it.
The harder part is knowing whether you can recover it when something breaks.
n8n is powerful, but when you run it locally or self-host it, you quickly run into practical questions:
- Did I back up before updating?
- Did I back up the encryption key?
- Will credentials still decrypt after restoring?
- Can I test a backup before I need it?
- Is my self-hosted n8n actually healthy?
That is the problem LocalFlow is trying to solve.
LocalFlow is an independent open-source safety and operations tool for n8n users.
[Add image here: n8n running locally at 127.0.0.1:5678 after starting through LocalFlow]
The simple local start
The first experience is meant to be simple:
localflow start
Then n8n opens locally:
No Docker Desktop.
No system Node.js setup.
No global npm setup.
No admin rights for normal local use.
LocalFlow manages the local runtime, starts n8n, binds it to 127.0.0.1, waits until the editor is ready, and opens the browser.
But LocalFlow is not just a launcher
The bigger idea is recovery confidence.
The main commands are:
localflow doctor
localflow guard
localflow backup
localflow restore
localflow restore-test
localflow update
localflow rollback
The goal is to move from:
“I think I have a backup.”
to:
“I know this n8n setup is recoverable.”
Why backup is more than workflow export
When people think about backing up n8n, they often think about exporting workflows.
That is useful, but it is not the whole recovery story.
If you run n8n locally or self-host it, you also need to think about:
- the database
- credentials
- config
- the encryption key
- the n8n version
- the restore process
The encryption key is especially important. If the database is restored but the original encryption key is missing, credentials may not decrypt correctly.
So LocalFlow tries to treat backup as a full recovery problem, not just a file export problem.
Backup and restore
localflow backup creates a backup of important local n8n data, config, and the LocalFlow-managed encryption key.
localflow backup
localflow restore restores a backup and creates a safety backup first.
localflow restore backup.zip
localflow restore-test checks whether a backup is usable before you are in an emergency.
localflow restore-test backup.zip
That last part matters because a backup you never test is mostly hope.
Guard mode
LocalFlow also has Guard checks.
For local n8n:
localflow guard
For remote/self-hosted n8n:
localflow guard url --url https://your-n8n-domain.com
For Kubernetes or AKS:
localflow guard k8s --namespace n8n --selector app=n8n
For Azure App Service:
localflow guard azure-app --resource-group my-rg --name my-n8n-app
Cloud Guard checks are read-only.
The goal is not to change your infrastructure. The goal is to inspect it and show recovery or configuration risks.
What Guard should help answer
Guard is meant to answer questions like:
- Is n8n reachable?
- Is the local instance healthy?
- Is the backup recent?
- Is the encryption key protected?
- Are Kubernetes pods restarting?
- Are main and worker versions aligned?
- Is Azure App Service configured with the expected environment values?
- Is the setup likely recoverable?
It is still early, but that is the direction.
Who this is for
LocalFlow is for:
- people who want to run n8n locally without Docker
- n8n beginners testing workflows
- automation freelancers
- agencies managing client setups
- self-hosters
- teams running n8n on VMs, Docker, Kubernetes, AKS, or Azure App Service
What I want feedback on
LocalFlow is still early, and I would value feedback from n8n users and self-hosters.
The areas I care about most:
- Is the backup/recovery model useful?
- Is restore-test the right approach?
- What should localflow guard check next?
- Should cloud Guard focus more on Kubernetes, Azure App Service, Docker, or generic URL checks first?
- Are there edge cases around local n8n recovery that I am missing?
GitHub
https://github.com/karimbaidar/n8n-localflow
The project is open source under MIT.
Closing thought
The first version of LocalFlow was about making local n8n easier to start.
The bigger vision is about making n8n safer to operate.
Because once automations matter, the question changes.
It is no longer just:
“Can I run n8n?”
It becomes:
“Can I recover n8n when something breaks?”
That is the problem LocalFlow is trying to solve.
LocalFlow is an independent project. n8n is a trademark of n8n GmbH. LocalFlow is not endorsed by or affiliated with n8n GmbH.
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