Server Launch Checklist

Before installing any FiveM software, you need a proper server. A VPS (Virtual Private Server) from providers like OVH, Contabo, or Hetzner works well for starting out. You need at least 8GB RAM and 4 CPU cores for 32 players.

• Purchase a VPS with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (recommended) or Windows Server
• SSH into your server and update packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
• Create a dedicated user for FiveM (don't run as root)
• Install required dependencies: git, curl, wget, xz-utils, mariadb-server
• Set up a firewall (ufw) and open ports 30120 (TCP+UDP) and 40120 (TCP)

# Create FiveM user and directory
sudo adduser fivem --disabled-password
sudo mkdir -p /home/fivem/server
sudo chown fivem:fivem /home/fivem/server

# Open required ports
sudo ufw allow 30120/tcp
sudo ufw allow 30120/udp
sudo ufw allow 40120/tcp
sudo ufw enable

FiveM server artifacts are the core server binaries. You need to download the latest recommended build from the Cfx.re build server.

# Download a recommended artifact (Linux)
# Get the current recommended build URL from:
#   https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/
cd /home/fivem/server
wget https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/<BUILD_ID>/fx.tar.xz
tar xf fx.tar.xz

# Verify installation
./run.sh --version

• Download artifacts from runtime.fivem.net
• Extract to your server directory
• Run the server once to generate initial configs
• The first run will start txAdmin setup wizard at http://YOUR_IP:40120

txAdmin is the web-based management panel for your FiveM server. It handles monitoring, restarts, player management, and more.

• Navigate to http://YOUR_IP:40120 in your browser
• Create your admin account with a strong password
• Link your Cfx.re account (required for server listing)
• Choose a deployment template: QBCore, ESX, or clean base
• Set your server name and configure the data path
• Wait for the template to download and database to initialize

The server.cfg file is the main configuration for your FiveM server. Every setting matters for performance and player experience.

# FiveM Coach by Quasar - Recommended server.cfg template

endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"
endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"

sv_hostname "Your Server Name | Custom Framework | Active Staff"
sv_maxclients 48
sv_licenseKey "your_cfx_license_key_here"

set steam_webApiKey "your_steam_api_key"
set sv_projectName "Your Server Name"
set sv_projectDesc "Brief description of your server"

# OneSync (required for 48+ players)
set onesync on
set onesync_population true

# Performance
# Pick a current build number from the Cfx.re "enforceGameBuild" docs;
# 3258+ is the modern range. Don't pin to old 2022-era builds like 2699.
set sv_enforceGameBuild 3258
set mysql_slow_query_warning 200

# Anti-cheat basics
sv_scriptHookAllowed 0
sv_enableNetworkedPhoneExplosions 0

# Resources
ensure mapmanager
ensure chat
ensure spawnmanager
ensure sessionmanager
ensure basic-gamemode
ensure hardcap
ensure baseevents

Most FiveM frameworks require a MySQL or MariaDB database. Set this up before installing your framework.

# Install MariaDB
sudo apt install mariadb-server -y
sudo mysql_secure_installation

# Create database and user
sudo mysql -u root -p
> CREATE DATABASE fivem;
> CREATE USER 'fivem'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YOUR_STRONG_PASSWORD';
> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON fivem.* TO 'fivem'@'localhost';
> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
> EXIT;

# MySQL connection string
set mysql_connection_string "mysql://fivem:YOUR_STRONG_PASSWORD@localhost/fivem?charset=utf8mb4"

If you used a txAdmin template, your framework is already installed. If not, follow the framework-specific guide:

• ESX: Clone es_extended and dependencies, import esx.sql
• QBCore: Use the qb-core installer (installs all core resources automatically)
• QBox: Fork from QBox GitHub, similar to QBCore but with improvements

After framework setup, install these core scripts. This is the minimum for a playable server:

• Inventory: ox_inventory (ESX/QB) or qb-inventory (QB) — handles items, weapons
• Phone: qb-phone or npwd — communication, banking app
• Housing: qb-houses or esx_property — own/rent properties
• Vehicles: garage + dealer + keys — buy, store, lock vehicles
• Jobs: police, EMS, mechanic, taxi at minimum — gives players things to do
• HUD: ps-hud or ox_hud — health, armor, hunger, minimap
• Clothing: illenium-appearance — character customization
• Banking: qb-banking or renewed-banking — deposits, ATMs

A broken economy kills servers faster than bugs. Players quit when money is too easy or too hard to earn.

• Set starting cash: $5,000-$10,000 (enough to eat and travel, not enough to buy everything)
• Starter jobs: $200-$500/cycle (trucker, miner, garbage collector)
• Mid-tier jobs: $500-$1,500/cycle (mechanic, taxi, fishing)
• High-tier jobs: $1,500-$5,000/cycle (police, EMS, lawyer) — require whitelist
• Vehicle prices: cheapest car $5,000, mid-range $50,000, luxury $200,000+
• Money sinks: fuel ($5-$20/fill), food/drink ($10-$30), repairs ($100-$500), fines

• txAdmin is your primary admin tool (already installed)
• Install qb-admin or ox_admin for in-game administration
• Configure ACE permissions in server.cfg for staff roles
• Create staff ranks: Admin, Moderator, Trial Moderator
• Set up logging: txAdmin logs all commands and connections
• Anti-cheat: consider a basic anti-cheat resource (not required for small servers)

# ACE Permissions
add_ace group.admin command allow
add_ace group.moderator command.kick allow
add_ace group.moderator command.ban allow

add_principal identifier.discord:YOUR_DISCORD_ID group.admin

Before opening your server to the public, complete every item on this final checklist:

• Stress test with 5-10 friends for 2+ hours
• Check server performance: resmon in F8, target all scripts under 5ms total
• Set up Discord server with rules, applications, and support channels
• Create loading screen with your server branding
• Add server to FiveM server list (automatic via license key)
• Write a compelling server description with keywords
• Take promotional screenshots (in-game, HUD hidden)
• Post in 5+ FiveM community Discord servers
• Monitor txAdmin for the first 24 hours (crashes, errors, player reports)
• Set up automatic restarts every 6 hours via txAdmin scheduler