ESX Framework Guide — Complete FiveM ESX Server Setup and Configuration

ESX Legacy requires FiveM Artifact 5000+ and txAdmin. From the txAdmin setup wizard, select ESX Legacy recipe. This installs: es_extended (core framework), esx_society (job management), esx_billing (invoicing system), esx_datastore (persistent data storage). After deployment, verify with 'start es_extended' — look for 'ESX Legacy has started'. Default admin: edit 'Config.AdminIP' or use esx_adminmenu for staff management. Connect to verify everything loads correctly.

Core scripts: esx_inventory (inventory system), esx_skin (character appearance), esx_phone (phone system with apps), esx_garage (vehicle storage), esx_property (housing), esx_policejob, esx_ambulancejob, esx_mechanicjob, esx_shops, esx_banking. Quality of life: esx_status (needs/hunger/thirst), esx_basicneeds (food/drink items), esx_vehicleshop (vehicle purchases). Install via the FiveM forums or GitHub. Most ESX scripts need configuration — always check config.lua files before enabling.

ESX economy spans multiple modules. Starting cash: es_extended/config.lua 'Config.StartingCash = 10000'. Job salaries: each job script's config.lua sets pay rates. Shop prices: esx_shops/config.lua item buy/sell prices. Vehicle pricing: esx_vehicleshop/config.lua. Banking: esx_society handles business accounts. Economy tuning tips: set realistic prices relative to job pay (1 hour work = 10-15 bread). Create item value hierarchy: basic items cheap (<$100), rare items expensive ($5k+). Review and adjust monthly.

ESX Legacy (1.10+) is the actively maintained version. Key improvements over older ESX: SQL queries optimized 40% faster, event system refactored for lower overhead, removed deprecated functions, added proper resource start/stop handling. Migration from ESX 1.9: backup database, replace es_extended and core scripts, run migration SQL. Most 1.9 scripts work on Legacy. Some heavily modified servers need script-by-script testing. Legacy is recommended for all new servers and existing servers should migrate.

ESX can be resource-heavy. Optimize: disable unused modules in es_extended/config.lua ('Config.EnableSocietyPayouts: false' if not using societies). Set 'Config.UseItemDeleter: true' to remove dropped items quickly. In server.cfg: 'sv_scriptHookAllowed 1' for profiler access. Use txAdmin's resource monitor — ESX with 40 scripts should use 2-4ms per tick. Heavy scripts over 1ms should be optimized or replaced. ESX Legacy optimized runs 50-55 FPS on our 8GB plan.