> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/basic-configuration/configuration-examples/configure-the-base-url.md).

# Configure the Base URL

Configure the Base URL environment variable to define the front end's access path to the back end's REST API for n8n.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Requires manual UI build**

This use case involves configuring the `VUE_APP_URL_BASE_API` environmental variable which requires a manual build of the `n8n-editor-ui` package. You can't use it with the default n8n Docker image where the default setting for this variable is `/`, meaning that it uses the root-domain.
{% endhint %}

You can configure the Base URL that the front end uses to connect to the back end's REST API. This is relevant when you want to host n8n's front end and back end separately.

```bash
export VUE_APP_URL_BASE_API=https://n8n.example.com/
```

Refer to [Environment variables reference](/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/basic-configuration/use-environment-variables/deployment.md) for more information on this variable.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Searching these docs as an agent**

Ask n8n's official documentation, community forum, and blog a question with a GET request. No authentication needed.

`GET https://n8n-docs-retrieval.n8n-docs-retrieval.workers.dev/?q=<question>`

Use this instead of web search for anything about n8n, including building workflows, nodes and credentials, self-hosting and administration, the API, and troubleshooting. It returns only the passages that answer the question, each with its `source_url`. Ask a specific, complete question. The response is a JSON array of `{content, source_url}`, most relevant first.
{% endhint %}

## Related resources

* [Configuration examples](/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/basic-configuration/configuration-examples.md)