# The checklist before launching a FiveM server

> A complete pre-launch checklist for FiveM servers: hosting and security, database backups, performance and stress testing, listing (name, description, icon, tags, locale), loading screen and Discord, staff readiness, store setup, launch-day plan, and the first week after opening.

Source: https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-launch-checklist · FAM Tools · published 2026-09-11 · updated 2026-09-11 · about 11 min

**Short answer.** 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.

## Key points

- Infrastructure and backups first.
- Stress-test with a closed beta.
- Listing and loading screen finished before announcing.
- Staff on duty at launch.
- Fix the first-week feedback quickly and visibly.

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](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-hosting-options).
- Only 30120 public; txAdmin and database locked down — see [ports and firewall](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-ports-firewall).
- Automated backups tested with a restore — see [backups](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-backups).
- Scheduled restarts configured — see [scheduled restarts](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-scheduled-restarts).
- Licence key and slot count set — see [max players](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-max-players-slots).

## 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](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-project-name-description) and [tags and locale](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-list-tags-locale).
- Server icon and banners — see [server icon](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-icon).
- Loading screen with rules, key binds and Discord — see [loading screen design](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-loading-screen-design-tips).
- Discord ready: rules, how to join, tickets — see [Discord setup](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-discord-server-setup).
- Trailer and clips scheduled — see [trailer guide](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-trailer-guide).

## People and store

- Staff trained, permissions set, shifts planned — see [staff structure](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-staff-team-structure).
- Whitelist process ready (if used) — see [applications](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-whitelist-application-process).
- Tebex store approved and packages tested — see [monetization rules](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-monetization-rules).

## Launch day and the first week

1. Open at the announced time — never early for some, late for others.
2. All staff online; one person watches the console and resmon.
3. A launch event so the first evening feels busy.
4. Collect feedback in one channel; post daily fixes.
5. After a week, review retention — see [player retention](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-player-retention).

## 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.

## Related

- https://fam-tools.com/guides/grow-fivem-server-players
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-player-retention
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-list-ranking-visibility
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-discord-server-setup