How to make a FiveM server from scratch

The problem

You want to run your own FiveM server (RP, freeroam or a test box) but don't know where to start: what to download, where to get the license, how to launch the panel and how to connect.

The cause

FiveM ships no single installer. A server is made of three pieces: the server binary (the FXServer artifact), a free cfx.re license that authorizes it, and txAdmin, the web panel that manages it. If any of the three is missing, the server won't boot or won't show up in the list.

The solution

Download the artifact, grab your license on keymaster, launch txAdmin and let it deploy a base (ESX or QBCore) or a blank server. This is the minimal server.cfg you'll end up with:

# minimal server.cfg — generated/edited after the txAdmin deploy

# Connection ports (TCP + UDP on the same port)
endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"
endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"

# Your free license from https://keymaster.fivem.net
sv_licenseKey "your_license_key_here"

# Server identity
sv_hostname "My first FiveM server"
sv_maxclients 48          # OneSync supports up to 1024; 48 is fine to start
sets locale "en-US"

# OneSync enabled (required for >32 players and most frameworks)
set onesync on

# Base resources (order matters: dependencies first)
ensure mapmanager
ensure chat
ensure spawnmanager
ensure sessionmanager
ensure hardcap
ensure es_extended   # or ensure qb-core if you use QBCore

# Optional Steam (get your key at https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey)
# set steam_webApiKey "YOUR_STEAM_API_KEY"

Step by step

1. 1.Download the FXServer artifact from runtime.fivem.net ('master' or 'recommended' build for Windows; on Linux use run.sh). Extract it into an empty folder dedicated to the server.
2. 2.Create a cfx.re account and go to keymaster.fivem.net to generate a free license (sv_licenseKey). Bind it to your IP or leave it dynamic if your IP changes.
3. 3.Check the requirements: CPU single-thread performance matters most (FiveM barely uses multiple cores), 4-8 GB of RAM to start, and MySQL/MariaDB installed if you'll use a database-backed framework.
4. 4.Boot the server for the first time: run FXServer.exe (Windows) or ./run.sh (Linux). txAdmin opens at http://localhost:40120 — sign in, create your admin user and paste the sv_licenseKey when prompted.
5. 5.In the txAdmin wizard pick a recipe: ESX Legacy or QBCore for a full RP base, or 'blank server' if you want to build from scratch. txAdmin downloads and installs everything automatically.
6. 6.Open port 30120 on both TCP and UDP in your router and firewall so others can connect (not needed for local play). Make sure your server.cfg has the endpoint and the ensure for your framework.
7. 7.Connect: open FiveM, press F8 for the console and type 'connect localhost' (or 'connect your_ip'). If you reach the spawn, your server is alive.

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