If you run a FiveM (GTA V roleplay) server, you have heard the word “artifacts” more times than you can count. Every time something breaks, someone in your Discord says “update your artifacts.” But what actually are they, and how do you choose the right build? This guide explains what FXServer artifacts are, the difference between recommended, optional, and latest builds, and exactly how to update them safely without breaking your server.
What are FiveM server artifacts?
“Artifacts” is just the FiveM community’s name for the FXServer build files: the server binary plus the bundled citizen runtime that makes your server actually run. They are called build artifacts because they are the compiled output produced by Cfx.re’s automated build pipeline. Every time the platform is updated, a new numbered build is published.
The artifact is separate from your server data. Your server.cfg, your resources folder, and your database all live in a separate directory (cloned from the official cfx-server-data repository). The artifact is just the engine; your server-data folder is the car. This separation is the single most important thing to understand, because it is what makes updating safe: you swap the engine and keep the car.
Where to download artifacts: runtime.fivem.net
All official builds are published at runtime.fivem.net/artifacts. There are two platform listings you will use:
- Windows:
runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_server_windows/master/— downloads as aserver.7zarchive. - Linux:
runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/— downloads as anfx.tar.xzarchive.
Each build is labelled with a plain integer (for example 25770) and a timestamp. At the top of the listing page you will see two markers: LATEST RECOMMENDED and LATEST OPTIONAL, each showing the current build number for that channel. Those markers are how you identify which numbered build belongs to which channel.
Recommended vs latest vs optional
This is the question every server owner eventually asks. The builds are not three different downloads sitting in three folders — they are the same listing, with the recommended and optional builds flagged at the top. Here is how the three channels compare.
| Channel | What it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended (LATEST RECOMMENDED) | The build Cfx.re considers stable and tested for production. | Live roleplay servers. This is the safe default. |
| Optional (LATEST OPTIONAL) | A newer build that is generally stable but may carry minor issues. | When you need a fix or feature that has not reached recommended yet. |
| Latest | The newest build off the pipeline, untested for production. | Development and testing only — never your live server. |
The short version: run the LATEST RECOMMENDED build on your live server. Latest builds can introduce regressions that crash your server or, in the worst case, cause data issues — so test them on a separate instance first. Some popular frameworks and resources also publish a minimum supported artifact, so always check what your framework requires before chasing the newest number.
How to install and run an artifact
The first-time setup is the same as updating, minus the cleanup. On Windows you download server.7z, extract it with 7-Zip or WinRAR into a binaries folder, clone the server data, and launch:
git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data.git server-data
cd /d C:\FXServer\server-data
C:\FXServer\server\FXServer.exe +exec server.cfgOn Linux you download fx.tar.xz, extract it (you will need xz-utils), clone the data, and launch with the bundled run.sh:
tar xf fx.tar.xz
git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data.git ~/FXServer/server-data
bash ~/FXServer/server/run.sh +exec server.cfgBefore the server will accept players you must set your license key in server.cfg:
sv_licenseKey "licenseKeyGoesHere"If you do not have a key yet, see our FiveM Keymaster license key guide for registering one on the Cfx.re Portal.
How to update your artifacts
Because the artifact and your data are separate, updating is straightforward:
- Stop the server first — never swap files while FXServer is running.
- Back up your
server-datafolder and database. Always. - Download the new LATEST RECOMMENDED build (
server.7zon Windows,fx.tar.xzon Linux) from runtime.fivem.net. - Replace only the extracted artifact folder (the one containing
FXServer.exe/run.shand thecitizenfolder). Do not touch yourserver-data, yourserver.cfg, yourresources, or your database. - Start the server and watch the console for resource errors.
On a managed control panel the process is usually a dropdown where you pick the build number and the panel handles the swap for you. If you would rather not juggle 7-Zip archives and command lines at all, our managed FiveM hosting plans let you switch artifact builds from a single click, with backups taken automatically before each change.
Once your artifacts are sorted, the next pieces of a working RP server are the framework and database layer — see our guides on installing QBCore and setting up oxmysql. For the full setup reference, our FiveM documentation walks through every step.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I update FiveM artifacts?
There is no fixed schedule. Update when a new recommended build fixes a bug you are hitting, when a resource or framework you use requires a newer build, or roughly every few weeks to stay current. There is no benefit to chasing every single build — stability matters more than the latest number for a live server.
Will updating artifacts delete my resources or config?
Not if you do it correctly. Your resources, server.cfg, and database live in the separate server-data folder, which you never overwrite during an update. You only replace the extracted artifact (engine) folder. Still, back up before every update — it costs nothing and saves you on the rare bad build.
What does the artifact build number actually mean?
It is an incrementing integer assigned by Cfx.re’s build pipeline — a higher number is simply a newer build. The numbers shown next to LATEST RECOMMENDED and LATEST OPTIONAL on the artifacts listing tell you which specific build is currently flagged for each channel, so you can match the number to the build you download.
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