How to create a FiveM script?

Learning how to create a FiveM script in 2025 is essential for any developer looking to build custom game modes, jobs, or mechanics on their GTA V multiplayer server. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced coder, understanding the fundamentals of Lua scripting, resource structure, and the FiveM native API will enable you to bring unique features to life. This comprehensive tutorial will guide you through every step, from setting up your development environment to deploying your first functional script on a live server.

Understanding FiveM Script Architecture

Before you create a FiveM script, it’s crucial to understand how FiveM organizes and executes resources. FiveM uses a resource-based system where each script or mod is contained within a folder called a resource. Every resource must include a fxmanifest.lua or __resource.lua file (the former is recommended in 2025) that declares metadata, dependencies, and the Lua files to be executed.

Resources can be split into three execution contexts:

• Client-side scripts: Run on each player’s game client, handling UI, camera, local events, and visual effects.
• Server-side scripts: Execute on the server, managing game logic, database calls, player authentication, and event routing.
• Shared scripts: Code accessible by both client and server, typically used for configuration or utility functions.

This architecture allows you to create a FiveM script that is both performant and modular. Hosting your server on a powerful platform like Nexus Games’ FiveM hosting, which leverages AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processors with 16 cores and 32 threads running under 5 GHz, ensures that your scripts execute smoothly even under heavy load.

Setting Up Your Development Environment

To create a FiveM script efficiently, you need a proper development environment. Start by installing a code editor with Lua support—Visual Studio Code is highly recommended. Install the vscode-lua extension and the FiveM Natives snippet pack for autocompletion of native functions.

Install FiveM Server Locally

Download the latest FiveM server artifacts from the official FiveM artifacts page. Extract the files into a dedicated folder and create a server.cfg file with the following basic configuration:

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

sv_maxclients 32
sv_hostname "My FiveM Dev Server"
sv_licenseKey "your_license_key_here"

start mapmanager
start chat
start spawnmanager
start sessionmanager
start basic-gamemode
start hardcap
start rconlog

Run the server using FXServer.exe +exec server.cfg on Windows or ./run.sh +exec server.cfg on Linux. Once the server is running, you can connect via FiveM using localhost:30120.

Create Your First Resource Folder

Navigate to the resources folder in your server directory and create a new folder, for example my_first_script. Inside this folder, create three files:

• fxmanifest.lua
• client.lua
• server.lua

Your fxmanifest.lua should look like this:

fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

author 'Your Name'
description 'My First FiveM Script'
version '1.0.0'

client_scripts {
    'client.lua'
}

server_scripts {
    'server.lua'
}

Add ensure my_first_script to your server.cfg to load the resource on startup.

Writing Client-Side and Server-Side Logic

Now that your resource structure is in place, it’s time to write the actual scripting logic. Client-side scripts handle everything the player sees and interacts with, while server-side scripts manage backend operations and data integrity.

Client-Side Script Example

In client.lua, let’s create a simple script that displays a notification when the player presses a key:

Citizen.CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        Citizen.Wait(0)
        if IsControlJustPressed(0, 38) then -- E key
            TriggerEvent('chat:addMessage', {
                color = {255, 0, 0},
                multiline = true,
                args = {"System", "You pressed E!"}
            })
        end
    end
end)

This loop runs every frame (hence Citizen.Wait(0)) and checks if the E key is pressed. When pressed, it triggers a chat message. For better performance, consider increasing the wait time or using event-driven patterns instead of constant polling.

Server-Side Script Example

In server.lua, let’s create a command that announces a message to all players:

RegisterCommand('announce', function(source, args, rawCommand)
    local message = table.concat(args, ' ')
    if message ~= '' then
        TriggerClientEvent('chat:addMessage', -1, {
            color = {0, 255, 0},
            multiline = true,
            args = {"Announcement", message}
        })
    end
end, true) -- Restricts command to admins

This server-side command takes arguments, concatenates them into a message, and broadcasts it to all connected clients. The true parameter restricts usage to players with the command ACE permission.

Communication Between Client and Server

To create a FiveM script with dynamic interactions, you’ll need to pass data between client and server. Use TriggerServerEvent to send data from client to server, and TriggerClientEvent to send data from server to client.

Example in client.lua:

RegisterNetEvent('playerReward')
AddEventHandler('playerReward', function(amount)
    TriggerEvent('chat:addMessage', {
        args = {"Reward", "You received $" .. amount}
    })
end)

Example in server.lua:

RegisterCommand('givereward', function(source, args)
    local playerId = tonumber(args[1])
    local amount = tonumber(args[2])
    if playerId and amount then
        TriggerClientEvent('playerReward', playerId, amount)
    end
end, true)

This allows admins to reward specific players with in-game currency or items. Always validate input server-side to prevent exploits.

Advanced Techniques: Databases, Optimization, and Deployment

Once you’ve mastered the basics of how to create a FiveM script, you can integrate databases, optimize performance, and deploy your resources on a production server.

Database Integration with MySQL

Most FiveM servers use MySQL or MariaDB for persistent data storage. Install the mysql-async or oxmysql resource and configure the connection string in your server.cfg:

set mysql_connection_string "mysql://user:password@localhost/database?charset=utf8mb4"

Example server-side query:

MySQL.Async.fetchAll('SELECT * FROM users WHERE identifier = @identifier', {
    ['@identifier'] = identifier
}, function(result)
    if result[1] then
        print('User found: ' .. result[1].name)
    end
end)

Always use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Performance Optimization Tips

When you create a FiveM script, performance is critical, especially on servers with many players. Follow these best practices:

• Avoid using Citizen.Wait(0) in loops; increase wait times to 100–500ms when possible.
• Cache native function results instead of calling them repeatedly.
• Use event-driven programming instead of constant polling.
• Profile your scripts using the profiler command in the F8 console.
• Host your server on high-performance hardware like Nexus Games’ infrastructure, which uses DDR5 ECC RAM and NVMe SSD storage for lightning-fast read/write operations.

Deploying Your Script to Production

Once your script is tested locally, upload the resource folder to your production server’s resources directory. If you’re using Nexus Games’ Pterodactyl VPS hosting, you can manage file uploads via SFTP or the intuitive web panel. Add ensure your_resource_name to your server.cfg and restart the server.

Monitor server logs for errors and use tools like txAdmin for real-time server management and diagnostics. Nexus Games provides 1 Gbps bandwidth, ensuring smooth performance even during peak player activity.

Security Best Practices

Security is paramount when you create a FiveM script. Always validate client inputs on the server side, use ACE permissions to restrict sensitive commands, and encrypt sensitive data before storing it in databases. Regularly update your resources and dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities.

Consider implementing rate limiting on events to prevent spam and DDoS attacks. Use the RateLimiter pattern or third-party anti-cheat resources like EasyAdmin or vMenu with proper configuration.

Conclusion

Learning how to create a FiveM script opens endless possibilities for customizing your GTA V multiplayer experience. From simple commands to complex game modes with database integration, mastering Lua scripting and the FiveM API empowers you to build unique features that set your server apart. By hosting on reliable infrastructure like Nexus Games with AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processors and NVMe SSDs, you ensure your scripts run smoothly and your players enjoy lag-free gameplay. Start small, test thoroughly, and continuously optimize—your scripting journey begins now.

FAQ

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