Using JSON in FiveM

JSON is how simple data survives a server restart without setting up a database. Many scripts use it for config files, settings, whitelists, and temporary storage. This lesson teaches you to save, load, and update JSON files - the lightweight way to give your resource a memory.

You'll build: A resource that saves and loads player data using JSON - name, money, and job - and survives server restarts.
Time: ~20 minutes
You need: A local FiveM server, one resource folder, basic Lua knowledge.
You'll learn: What JSON is, json.encode() and json.decode(), SaveResourceFile and LoadResourceFile, real multi-player patterns, and when JSON beats a database.

BEFORE YOU START

Build it

Create the resource

A resource folder with a server script.

code

resources/qu_json_demo/
fxmanifest.lua
server.lua

code

fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'
server_script 'server.lua'

Save data to JSON

A .json file appears with your data inside.

code

-- Create a Lua table with player data
local playerData = {
name = "John",
money = 5000,
job = "police"
}

-- Convert to JSON and save to a file
SaveResourceFile(
GetCurrentResourceName(),       -- which resource owns this file
"playerdata.json",              -- the filename
json.encode(playerData),        -- convert table → JSON text
-1                              -- length: -1 means "all of it"
)

print("Data saved to playerdata.json")

Using JSON in FiveM

Build it

Create the resource

Save data to JSON

Load data from JSON

Update and re-save data

Store data for multiple players

Keep reading the full lesson