The checklist before launching a FiveM server
Two weeks out: hosting, security (ports, txAdmin, database), backups and restarts, performance under load. One week out: listing (project name, description, icon, banners, tags, locale), loading screen, Discord and rules, staff trained, store live. Launch day: a fixed time, staff on duty, announcements ready. First week: fix the top complaints fast and keep events running.
Launch day is the one day hundreds of people try your server at once — and it is when every weak spot shows: a slow query, a missing texture, an admin who cannot ban. This checklist is ordered so the boring things are done long before the exciting ones.
Two weeks before: infrastructure
- Host with enough CPU and DDoS filtering — see hosting options.
- Only 30120 public; txAdmin and database locked down — see ports and firewall.
- Automated backups tested with a restore — see backups.
- Scheduled restarts configured — see scheduled restarts.
- Licence key and slot count set — see max players.
Testing
- Closed beta with as many players as you can gather at once.
- Watch resmon and hitch warnings under load.
- Check oversized-asset warnings and download size for first joins.
- Test every job, shop and admin tool once end to end.
One week before: presentation
- Project name, description, tags and locale — see project name and description and tags and locale.
- Server icon and banners — see server icon.
- Loading screen with rules, key binds and Discord — see loading screen design.
- Discord ready: rules, how to join, tickets — see Discord setup.
- Trailer and clips scheduled — see trailer guide.
People and store
- Staff trained, permissions set, shifts planned — see staff structure.
- Whitelist process ready (if used) — see applications.
- Tebex store approved and packages tested — see monetization rules.
Launch day and the first week
- 1Open at the announced time — never early for some, late for others.
- 2All staff online; one person watches the console and resmon.
- 3A launch event so the first evening feels busy.
- 4Collect feedback in one channel; post daily fixes.
- 5After a week, review retention — see player retention.
Common questions
What should I check before launching a FiveM server?
Hosting and security, backups, performance under load, the server listing, loading screen, Discord, staff readiness and your store.
Should I run a beta before launch?
Yes — a closed beta with real players finds performance problems and bugs that solo testing never will.
When is the best time to launch?
When your target audience is online, typically an evening or weekend in their time zone.
What matters most in the first week?
Fast, visible fixes for the biggest complaints and enough activity that the server feels alive.
Want a loading screen you never have to debug?
Build it in the browser, export once, and edit it whenever — no HTML, no re-uploads.
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