How to Create an ESX Server on FiveM

Building your own ESX server on FiveM doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right guidance and tools, you can create an engaging and dynamic roleplay environment that your players will love. This ultimate tutorial equips you with everything you need to set up, customize, and launch your ESX server. Let’s go.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the setup process, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

• A Windows-based VPS or dedicated server
• Administrator access to the server
• Basic knowledge of server management and file navigation
• FiveM server files OR a server template
• Essential ESX resources – Download ESX here

Having these in place will streamline your setup process…

Setting Up Your FiveM Server

1. Download and Install FiveM Server:
   • Download the latest server binaries
   • Extract the downloaded files to a directory of your choice on your server.
2. Server Configuration:
   • Navigate to the extracted directory.
   • Locate the server.cfg file and open it with a text editor.
   • Edit all settings as you like.

Installing ESX + Resources

The ESX Framework is a popular and comprehensive role-playing framework for FiveM servers, specifically designed to create immersive multiplayer experiences. It provides a range of tools, scripts, and functionalities that simplify the development and management of role-play scenarios. ESX handles essential aspects like player jobs, economies, inventories, and more. By using ESX, server developers can easily implement features such as police systems, banking, shops, and various other interactive elements that enhance the role-playing experience, all while seamlessly integrating with a database to save player data and server events.

1. Download ESX Framework
2. Add Resources to Your Server:
   • Move the downloaded ESX resources into your server’s resources directory. A common set of resources includes es_extended, essentialmode, and other essential ESX components.
3. Update server.cfg:
   • Edit the server.cfg file to include the ESX resources.
   • Save and close the server.cfg file.

Initializing the Database

A database is a system used to store, organize, and manage data in a structured way. In the context of FiveM servers, a database is essential for saving and managing all the data that occurs on the server, such as player information, game statistics, inventories, and other persistent data. This allows the server to maintain state and information across sessions, ensuring that when players reconnect, their progress, and game data are preserved.

1. Set Up MySQL Database:
   • Install MySQL server on your machine. Instructions can be found here.
   • Create a new database for your ESX server.
   • Make note of your database name, username, and password.
2. Configure ESX to Use Your Database:
   • Navigate to the es_extended resource folder.
   • Locate and open the config.lua file with a text editor.
   • Update the database credentials to match your MySQL setup
   • Save the file.
3. Import SQL Files:
   • Use a database management tool like Navicat or HeidiSQL to import ESX SQL files into your created database.

Customizing Your ESX Server

1. Add Custom Jobs and Items:
   • Modify esx_jobs and esx_inventory scripts to add or change job roles and inventory items.
   • Instructions for script modifications can be found in the ESX Documentation and the relevant resource readme files.
2. Install Additional Scripts and Mods:
   • Explore popular ESX scripts and mods for enhancing your server:
     • ESX Jobs: Create a variety of in-game jobs for players. – Click here for Jobs
     • ESX Vehicles: Add custom vehicles with realistic handling. – Click here for Vehicles
     • ESX Housing: Allow players to purchase, rent, and furnish homes.
   • Ensure each new script is added to the resources folder and included in server.cfg.

Starting Your ESX Server

With everything set up, you’re ready to start your server.

• Open a command prompt or terminal window.
• Navigate to your server’s directory:cd /path/to/your/server
• Run the server using:./run.sh +exec server.cfg

Your server should start, and it’s ready for players to join!

(Optional) Install SaltyChat

How To Add SaltyChat to FiveM Server

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Server Won’t Start:
  • Ensure all paths and configurations in server.cfg are correct.
  • Check for specific error messages in the console to pinpoint the issue.
• Database Connection Fails:
  • Verify that your MySQL server is running.
  • Check that the credentials in config.lua are correct.
• Resource Not Found:
  • Make sure all resources are correctly placed in the resources folder and listed in server.cfg.

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Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up an ESX server on FiveM. It’s time to invite players to join and start creating memorable roleplay experiences. Remember to frequently update your scripts and mods to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Next Steps?

How To Add FiveM Resources (Mods)