env var
N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_ENABLED
N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_ENABLED controls whether n8n can install and load community nodes.
- Use when
- self-hosted, community nodes
- First check
- Decide whether this n8n instance should allow community nodes at all.
- Time to check
- 5-10 minutes
- Next step
- Run the recommended steps, then verify a production execution.
Independent third-party notes. n8n is a trademark of its owner and is referenced only for compatibility and troubleshooting context.
Quick Answer
N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_ENABLED controls whether n8n can install and load community nodes.
Key Facts
- Variable
- N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_ENABLED
- Type
- Boolean
- Default
- true
- Effect
- When false, verified and unverified community packages are unavailable.
Recommended Steps
- Decide whether this n8n instance should allow community nodes at all.
- Set N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_ENABLED=false to disable installation and loading.
- Restart n8n after changing the variable.
- Check the nodes panel and logs to verify the setting.
Verification
- Community packages are no longer available when disabled.
- Existing production workflows are checked for community node dependencies.
Warnings
- Disabling community packages can break workflows that depend on installed community nodes.
- Use this as a deliberate security or operations choice, not as a casual cleanup step.