Awesome Tools for FiveM Development (List)

Developing engaging and stable FiveM servers requires skill, creativity, and the right set of FiveM Development Tools.

Having the proper toolkit can significantly streamline your workflow, boost efficiency, and unlock new possibilities.

At FiveMX, we understand the challenges and complexities involved in bringing your FiveM vision to life.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of awesome tools, including some of our own innovative solutions, to help you build better, faster, and smarter.

Whether you’re scripting complex resources, designing custom maps, or managing your server, these tools are essential additions to your arsenal.

Code Editors & IDEs

Choosing the right environment to write and manage your code is fundamental:

Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

• A powerful, free, and highly popular code editor.
• Supports Lua, JavaScript, C#, and more.
• Offers a vast library of extensions, including some specifically tailored for FiveM development, enhancing syntax highlighting, autocompletion, and debugging.
• Highly customizable to fit your preferred workflow.

FxDK (Cfx.re Development Kit)

• An integrated development environment designed specifically for FiveM by the Cfx.re team.
• Provides automatic resource restarting when code changes are detected, saving valuable time.
• Features an integrated game console, server console, and resource monitor for real-time feedback.
• Includes FXCode (based on VS Code) with support for extensions.
• Offers a World Editor for visually creating and modifying maps.
• Simplifies server building and deployment with one-click actions.

Getting started

If you have FiveM installed – skip to step 2.

1. Install FiveM.
2. Next to FiveM.exe you’ll find a shortcut named FiveM - Cfx.re Development Kit (FxDK).
3. Follow intro or skip and start creating right away.

The FiveMX Toolkit

We’re constantly innovating to provide tools that address specific needs within the FiveM development community.

Check out our growing suite of specialized tools designed to enhance your productivity:

• FiveMX AI Assistant: Leverage AI to help with code generation, debugging, and optimization suggestions. Find it here: https://fivemx.com/tools/ai/
• FiveMX Code Converter: Easily convert code snippets between different formats or languages relevant to FiveM scripting. Access it here: https://fivemx.com/tools/converter/
• FiveMX Script Optimizer: Analyze and optimize your Lua scripts for better performance and reduced resource consumption. Try it out: https://fivemx.com/tools/fivem-script-optimizer/
• FiveMX Server Rules Generator: Quickly create a comprehensive set of server rules tailored to your community’s needs. Generate rules here: https://fivemx.com/tools/fivem-server-rules-generator/
• Explore All FiveMX Tools: Discover our complete range of utilities designed for FiveM creators: https://fivemx.com/tools/

In-Game Development & Debugging Menus

Tools you can use directly within the game environment are invaluable for quick testing and adjustments.

DevTools (Standalone Menu)

• A popular standalone toolkit menu specifically for developers.
• Allows easy management of player settings like health, armor, and weapons for testing scenarios.
• Features robust vehicle spawning and customization options.
• Provides control over world settings like time and weather.
• Includes entity debugging capabilities.
• Offers Noclip/Freecam functionality for easy world exploration.
• Includes options for HUD toggles and customization.

Resmon

• The official debugging and optimization tools built into the FiveM client.
• Access resource monitoring to check performance impacts.
• Utilize the event logger to track resource interactions.
• Employ the profiler to identify performance bottlenecks.
• Use network diagnostics for connection issues.
• View console and debug output directly in-game.
• Typically accessed via the F8 key (requires the Beta or Cutting Edge update channel to be enabled in FiveM settings).

Mapping & Design Resources

Creating immersive environments is key to a successful server.

CodeWalker

• A powerful, standalone application for viewing and editing GTA V map files (YMAP, YTYP, etc.).
• Widely used for creating custom MLOs (interior maps) and exterior map modifications.
• Offers a 3D viewport and a user-friendly interface for manipulating objects and entities.
• Find it on GitHub: https://github.com/dexyfex/CodeWalker

OpenIV

• An essential multi-purpose modding tool for GTA V and other RAGE engine games.
• Crucial for accessing and modifying game archives (RPF files).
• Used for installing custom textures, models (vehicles, peds, weapons), and audio files.
• Necessary for preparing custom assets before integrating them into FiveM resources.
• OpenIV Website: openiv.com

Map Builder

• A popular in-game resource/plugin enabling the creation of custom maps using existing game props.
• Allows developers to place, rotate, and scale thousands of objects directly within their server environment.
• Great for creating custom scenes, racetracks, or unique locations without external modeling software.

Yes, Map Builder is also compatible with FiveM.

Server Management & Version Control

Keeping your server running smoothly and managing your codebase efficiently is vital.

TXAdmin

• A comprehensive, web-based server management interface for FiveM servers.
• Provides real-time server performance monitoring.
• Offers extensive player management features (kick, ban, spectate, etc.).
• Includes tools for server configuration, resource management, and log viewing.
• Often included with popular FiveM server hosting providers or installable manually.

Git

• The industry standard for version control.
• Essential for managing your codebase, especially when collaborating with others.
• Allows you to track changes, revert to previous versions, and merge code from multiple developers seamlessly.
• Platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket provide hosting for your Git repositories.

Documentation

Never underestimate the power of good documentation.

FiveM API Documentation (Native Reference)

• The official documentation for FiveM’s native functions and events.
• Absolutely invaluable for understanding the capabilities and limitations of the FiveM platform.
• Provides details on functions for scripting player interactions, vehicles, world manipulation, UI, and much more.
• Bookmark the official natives page relevant to your target game build.

Using these FiveM Development Tools can dramatically improve your development process, helping you build more complex, stable, and engaging experiences for your players.

AI Tool

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do I need all these tools to start FiveM development?

• No, you don’t need every single tool, especially when starting out.
• Beginners should focus on a good code editor (like VS Code), the official FiveM Dev Tools (F8 console), the FxDK, and the FiveM API documentation.
• As your projects grow in complexity, you can incorporate tools like Git, TXAdmin, CodeWalker, and OpenIV as needed.

Q2: Are the FiveMX tools free to use?

• You can find specific details about each tool, including any potential costs or usage tiers, on their respective pages linked above.
• We aim to offer valuable resources, and many of our tools have free access levels.

Q3: Which code editor is best: VS Code or FxDK?

• Both are excellent choices with slightly different focuses.
• VS Code is a general-purpose editor with great FiveM extensions, ideal if you work on diverse projects.
• FxDK is specifically designed for FiveM, offering tighter integration with the game environment (like auto-restarts and integrated consoles), which can streamline the workflow significantly.
• Many developers use both, leveraging FxDK for its integrated features and VS Code for its broader capabilities and extension ecosystem.

Q4: Is learning Git really necessary for solo development?

• While not strictly mandatory for solo projects, learning Git is highly recommended.
• It provides invaluable version history, allowing you to easily revert breaking changes.
• It serves as a backup for your code.
• It’s an essential skill if you ever plan to collaborate or contribute to open-source projects.