Installing FiveM (FXServer) Dedicated Server
Step-by-step guide to downloading and installing FXServer binaries on your Pterodactyl-managed VPS.
Overview
FiveM runs on FXServer, the CitizenFX multiplayer framework. Installation involves downloading the latest artifact build, extracting it alongside a cloned copy of the default server data repository, and pointing the binary at a valid server.cfg. This guide covers both Linux and Windows paths.
Prerequisites
- A VPS or dedicated node accessible through your Pterodactyl/WISP panel
- SSH or panel console access with a user that has write access to the server directory
- Git installed (Linux:
git; Windows: Git for Windows or panel-provided shell) - A valid FiveM license key (see Getting and Configuring Your FiveM License Key)
Recommended Directory Layout
Create the following structure before downloading anything:
FXServer/
server/ ← extracted binaries go here
server-data/ ← cloned cfx-server-data repo goes here
server.cfg
resources/
On Linux:
mkdir -p ~/FXServer/server
mkdir -p ~/FXServer/server-data
Downloading the Artifact
Linux
Navigate to the artifacts listing and grab the latest recommended build:
https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/
Find the highest build number marked as recommended. Download and extract it into your server/ directory:
cd ~/FXServer/server
wget https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/9290-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/fx.tar.xz
tar xf fx.tar.xz
rm fx.tar.xz
The Linux entry point is run.sh, a wrapper script that sets up the proot environment.
Windows
Navigate to:
https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_server_windows/master/
Download the latest recommended .zip, extract it into your server\ folder. The Windows entry point is FXServer.exe.
Cloning Server Data
The default resource set lives in the CitizenFX server data repository. Clone it into server-data/:
cd ~/FXServer
git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data server-data
This gives you the resources/ folder and a starter server.cfg that you will edit next.
Starting the Server
Linux
cd ~/FXServer/server
bash run.sh +exec ../server-data/server.cfg
Windows
FXServer.exe +exec ..\server-data\server.cfg
If txAdmin is enabled (it is by default in modern builds), the process will wait for you to complete setup at http://localhost:40120 before the server fully starts.
Pterodactyl / WISP Panel Notes
If your hosting provider uses a FiveM egg, the startup command and artifact paths are pre-configured. You typically only need to:
- Set your
SERVER_LICENSE_KEYvariable in the panel startup tab. - Edit
server.cfgthrough the panel's file manager. - Click Start — the egg handles artifact download on first boot.
Check your panel egg documentation for the exact variable names, as they vary between egg maintainers.