Tired of manual server maintenance? Learn how to automate your FiveM server updates using advanced scripts, git workflows, and txAdmin. Keep your ESX, QBCore, and Frozen Scripts assets up-to-date with zero downtime.
Introduction: The "Maintenance Mode" Nightmare
It is Friday night. Your player count is peaking, the roleplay is intense, and suddenly—a critical bug is found in your inventory script. You have to shut down the server, manually drag-and-drop files via FTP, pray you didn't overwrite a config file, and restart. By the time you are back online, half your players have moved to another city.
In 2025, uptime is everything. The most successful FiveM servers do not rely on manual drag-and-drop updates. They rely on automation.
Automating your server updates isn't just about saving time; it is about consistency, security, and professionalism. Whether you are running a legacy ESX Script framework or a modern QBCore setup, switching to script-based automation can transform your workflow from a chaotic chore into a seamless background process.
In this guide, we will break down how to use advanced scripting techniques, Git version control, and txAdmin to keep your server cutting-edge without the headache.
1. The Foundation: Automating Artifacts with txAdmin
Before we dive into custom scripts, we must address the engine running your server: the artifacts. Running an outdated server build can lead to crashes and incompatibility with newer Scripts.
The "One-Click" Solution
If you aren't using txAdmin, you are working too hard. txAdmin has a built-in feature to update your server artifacts automatically.
- How it works: It checks the FiveM repository for the latest recommended build and can apply it on the next restart.
- The Advanced Tweak: You can script a scheduled restart in your
server.cfgor txAdmin scheduler that pulls the latest artifact during off-peak hours (e.g., 4:00 AM).
Pro Tip: Always stick to the "Recommended" builds rather than "Latest" for production servers to avoid experimental bugs.
2. The "Advanced Script" Method: Git-Based Workflows
This is the secret weapon of top-tier servers. Instead of manually downloading zip files and uploading them via FileZilla, you treat your entire server resources folder as a Git Repository.
Why Git?
- Version Control: Did an update break your Police Job? With Git, you can revert to the previous version in seconds with a single command:
git revert. - Speed: Git only uploads the changes (lines of code), not the whole file. A 1GB update might take seconds.
The Automation Script
You can create a simple .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux) script to automate this process. Here is the logic flow for your custom update script:
- Pull Changes: The script runs
git pull origin masterto grab the latest files from your GitHub repository. - Cache Clear: It automatically deletes the
cache/folder to ensure new textures in your MLOs load correctly. - Restart Resource: It runs a command to restart the specific resource or the whole server.
Visualizing the Workflow:
Dev Server (Test Update) -> Push to GitHub -> Production Server Auto-Pulls Changes -> Restart.
3. Handling Premium Assets: The Keymaster Challenge
Automating updates for open-source resources is easy with Git. But what about premium, encrypted assets like those from Frozen Scripts?
Because FiveM uses the Keymaster system for asset protection, you cannot "git pull" these directly from the developer. However, you can still automate the deployment.
The "Staging" Strategy
- Download Manually: Download your updated EUP Pack or Vehicle Fleet from Keymaster.
- Commit to Your Private Repo: Unzip the validated asset into your local repo and commit it:
git commit -m "Updated Police Fleet". - Auto-Deploy: Your production server's automation script will detect this new commit and pull the validated files automatically.
This ensures that even your paid assets are version-controlled. If a new car pack causes texture loss, you can roll back immediately without needing to re-download the old zip file.
4. Database Automation: The Forgotten Step
Updates often come with database changes (SQL files). If you update a script but forget to run the SQL, your server will break.
Advanced Scripting Tip: Auto-SQL
For advanced users, you can write a script that scans for .sql files in your specific ESX or QB update folders.
- Check: Have these SQL lines been run before? (You can track this in a separate log table).
- Execute: If not, the script automatically applies the SQL changes to your database before the server starts.
- Backup: Always script a database dump (
mysqldump) before applying any automatic SQL updates.
5. When NOT to Automate
Automation is powerful, but it is not a magic wand. There are times when you should disable your scripts and go manual.
- Major Framework Overhauls: Moving from ESX v1 to ESX Legacy, or updating the core QBCore framework. These require manual file comparisons.
- Complex Dependencies: If you update an Inventory Script, it might break your Shops script. Automated scripts cannot check for logic errors, only file changes.
The Golden Rule:
Automate your Deployment (getting files to the server), but never automate your Testing. Always test updates on a local host first.
Conclusion: Work Smarter, Not Harder
In the world of FiveM hosting, the server owner who sleeps the most is the one who has automated the most. By implementing a Git-based workflow and utilizing advanced deployment scripts, you remove human error from the equation.
You can focus on building your community, planning events, and curating the best MLOs and Cars, knowing that your server's infrastructure is rock solid.
Ready to modernize your server?
Now that you have the workflow, you need the content. Browse our catalog of optimized, premium resources that are perfect for a high-performance, automated environment:
Disclaimer: Automation involves risk. Always ensure you have automated backups configured before implementing auto-update scripts. Frozen Scripts is not responsible for data loss caused by improper script configuration.