> 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/understand-the-architecture.md).

# Understand the architecture

Learn how n8n works and how it structures its database.

{% 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 %}

## In this section

* [How n8n works](/deploy/host-n8n/understand-the-architecture/how-n8n-works.md): understand n8n's architecture.
* [Understand the database](/deploy/host-n8n/understand-the-architecture/understand-the-database.md): understand the n8n database structure.

## Related resources

* [Host n8n](/deploy/host-n8n.md)
* [Install options](/deploy/host-n8n/install-options.md)
* [Configure n8n](/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n.md)
* [Keep n8n running](/deploy/host-n8n/keep-n8n-running.md)
* [Deploy as an OEM integration](/deploy/host-n8n/deploy-as-an-oem-integration.md)
* [Deploy with the AI starter kit](/deploy/host-n8n/deploy-with-the-ai-starter-kit.md)
* [Compare editions](/deploy/host-n8n/community-edition-features.md)