Install and launch a local server with FiveM

Updated on 04/09/2026 by Elise Voët

In this tutorial, we will see how to install and launch a local server with the software FiveM. FiveM is a modification of Grand Theft Auto V that allows us to create a custom server, add mods, and join this server in the game.

Prerequisites

• Install GTA V in the official version. You will therefore need an official key.
• Install CodeWalker.

Client Installation

1. Go to FiveM.net and click on Download Client.
2. Open the Downloads folder and launch FiveM.exe.
3. When the program asks, browse your GTA V installation directory and select GTA5.exe.
4. Click on Open to validate the path.

Update Game Data

• A message appears indicating that the local game data needs to be updated.
• Click on Yes.
• FiveM prepares the launch of the data. This step can take several minutes.
• When the loading reaches the step Connecting to Rockstar Games Services, the Rockstar Games Launcher will open in another window. Log in to your official account. You will need an official key.

Connect with Cfx.re

1. Read the Terms of Service.
2. If you accept them, click on I Accept to continue.
3. A new window opens, asking you to log in with Cfx.re – do not skip this step!
4. Click on Sign in with Cfx.re.
5. Your browser opens. If you don't have one, create a Cfx account.
6. Click on Authorize to grant access.
7. Go back to FiveM: a message Welcome [Username] appears.
8. Click on Continue.

Local Server Installation

In order to be able to modify the game as we wish, we will create our own local server. There are several methods: we will use the tool txAdmin.

Download the Server (Windows)

1. Go to the Windows server build page (list of artifacts).
2. Download the latest recommended version (the latest stable build).
3. Extract the contents to where you want to keep them, for example: C:\FXServer\server.
4. Open the extracted directory. Its structure should look like this:

Start the Server

1. In the extracted server folder, double-click on FXServer.exe.
2. Your browser automatically opens to the txAdmin page.
   • Check that the PIN is filled in.
   • Click on Link Account.
3. Log in to your Cfx.re account in the tab that opens, then click on Yes, Allow.
4. Create a password that will be used to identify you on the server administration page, then click on Next.
5. Enter a name for your server (e.g.: "MyServer") and click on Next again.
6. Select Popular Recipes.
7. Choose the CFX Default FiveM template (it's the simplest one).

   Note: other templates exist, but some require a database server.

8. Click on Save (or choose another save path) to save the recipe configuration.
9. In the txAdmin interface, click on Recipe Deployer.
10. Check that the recipe appears correctly, then click on Next.
11. Go back to the Windows server build page on the Cfx.re portal in the Dashboard tab.
12. Click on Create a key, fill in a "Display Name" and click on the Generate button.
13. Copy the key and paste it into the field provided for this purpose on the http://localhost/ window that should have opened automatically earlier in your browser. If it wasn't the case, go back to the txAdmin window and click on the http://localhost/ address.
14. In the http://localhost/ window, click on Run Recipe.
15. If everything is correct, click again on Next.
16. Finally, click on Save & Run Server. The server starts and you should see the welcome message in the console.

We now have a functional FiveM server, managed via txAdmin.

You can:

• Modify the resources in the resources/ folder.
• Configure server settings in the server.cfg file.
• Invite your friends by giving them your IP and the port (default: 30120).

Game Launch

Now that FiveM and the server are installed, you can join them:

1. Launch FXServer.exe.
2. Launch FiveM If everything goes well, your server should appear in the interface.
3. Click on it. The game launches and you find yourself in GTA V, connected to the server you just configured.

Some Commands That Will Be Useful In-Game

• F8 – to launch the command chat and the same key to close the script overlay --> esc to close the command chat modal --> use Tab and the arrow keys to navigate through the tabs and settings of the command chat.
• tx - to launch the tx admin modal
• /restart <resource> – Restarts the specified resource
• /ensure <resource> – Loads the resource if it is not already active
• /stop <resource> – Stops the resource
• /refresh – Reloads the list of available resources

💡 Tip: All these commands must be executed from the txAdmin console or from the game chat (if you have administration rights).

Translated by AI from the French version.