Resources & Server Setup

What is fxmanifest.lua?

fxmanifest.lua is the manifest file at the root of every FiveM resource. It tells the server which game the resource targets, which manifest version it is written for, which scripts run on the client and the server, and which extra files are sent to players and how the game should load them. A folder without a manifest is not a resource and cannot be started. For a vehicle, the manifest is mostly a list of meta files and the data_file lines that register them.

Required lines

Two lines are needed in every manifest. fx_version selects the manifest version, and should be cerulean for anything new. game states which game the resource supports: gta5 for FiveM, rdr3 for RedM, or common for resources that touch no game-specific features.

lua

fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

The smallest valid manifest

A resource with just these two lines and a stream folder is already a working replace vehicle or map, because streamed assets are registered automatically.

Complete example for an add-on vehicle

lua

fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

author 'Your Name'
description 'My add-on car'
version '1.0.0'

files {
    'data/vehicles.meta',
    'data/handling.meta',
    'data/carcols.meta',
    'data/carvariations.meta',
}

data_file 'HANDLING_FILE' 'data/handling.meta'
data_file 'VEHICLE_METADATA_FILE' 'data/vehicles.meta'
data_file 'CARCOLS_FILE' 'data/carcols.meta'
data_file 'VEHICLE_VARIATION_FILE' 'data/carvariations.meta'

client_script 'vehicle_names.lua'

The manifest is Lua, so strings need quotes, lists need braces and commas, and a single syntax error stops the whole resource from loading.

Writing the manifest by hand? The FXManifest Generator produces a valid one. Open the FXManifest Generator

Common directives

Directive	Purpose
`fx_version`	Manifest version. Required.
`game` / `games`	Supported game or list of games. Required.
`files`	Files sent to clients that are not scripts or streamed assets, such as metas and UI files.
`data_file`	Registers a file from `files` with the game as a specific data type.
`client_script` / `client_scripts`	Scripts that run on each player's game.
`server_script` / `server_scripts`	Scripts that run on the server.
`shared_script` / `shared_scripts`	Scripts loaded on both sides.
`dependency` / `dependencies`	Resources that must be started before this one.
`ui_page`	The HTML page for a resource with an on-screen interface.
`author`, `description`, `version`	Optional metadata.

Paths in files and the script directives accept glob patterns, so 'data/**/*.meta' matches every meta file under the data folder.

Common mistakes

Meta listed in files but no data_file line, or the reverse: the file needs both. With either one missing, the game never reads it.
Wrong path: paths are relative to the resource root and must match the real folder and file names exactly. Linux servers are case-sensitive.
Listing .yft or .ytd files: unnecessary. They belong in the stream folder.
The file is named fxmanifest.lua.txt: Windows hides known extensions by default, so a manifest created in Notepad can end up with the wrong name.
Still using __resource.lua: the old manifest name still loads, but new resources should use fxmanifest.lua.
Resource never started: a correct manifest does nothing until the resource is started from server.cfg.

The free FXManifest Generator writes a valid manifest for vehicle, script and UI resources, and the Resource Inspector checks an existing one against the files actually in the resource.

Frequently asked questions

Where does fxmanifest.lua go?

In the root of the resource folder, next to the stream and data folders. The folder name is the resource name used with ensure in server.cfg.

What is the difference between fxmanifest.lua and __resource.lua?

__resource.lua is the older manifest file name. fxmanifest.lua replaced it and uses fx_version and game lines instead of a resource manifest version string. New resources should use fxmanifest.lua.

Do I need to list stream files in fxmanifest.lua?

No. Everything in a folder named stream is registered automatically and must not be added to files.

FXManifest GeneratorValid fxmanifest.lua for vehicles, scripts and UI resources.Resource InspectorFind out why a car spawns invisible: checks the manifest, stream files, asset memory and metas.

fx_version 'cerulean'The manifest version line. 'cerulean' is the current value for new resources.data_fileThe manifest directive that tells the game what each meta file is.stream folderThe folder whose models and textures are streamed to players automatically.server.cfg (ensure / start)The server startup file, and the commands that start your resources.vehicles.metaRegisters the vehicle: model name, textures, handling ID, audio, layout and class.

More in Resources & Server Setup: Spawn Name & Model Hash, Add-On vs. Replace

Skip the manual work

Paste a gta5-mods.com vehicle link and get a FiveM-ready resource with the manifest and metas in place. 3 free conversions, no signup.

3 conversions free, no account needed
2 more free if you leave an email
After that: $15 once for unlimited conversions and the Pro tools, no subscription

Convert a mod free See all plans Get Unlimited now for $15

All wiki terms Guides Tools FAQ