# Tools for ESX Development (/docs/getting-started/tools)

This page collects tools that make developing and running an ESX Legacy server easier: editor extensions for writing scripts, database clients for managing player data, and community web tools for assets like clothing and props. None of them are required, but the first two groups save time every day.

<Callout type="info" title="Third-party tools">
The tools below are made by independent developers. They are not maintained or audited by the ESX team or by this site. Review generated or merged files before you put them on a live server, and never upload your license key, database credentials or tokens to an online tool.
</Callout>

## Editor [#editor]

| Tool | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) | Free editor that most FiveM developers use. |
| [Lua (sumneko)](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=sumneko.lua) | Lua language server: autocomplete, diagnostics, go to definition and [annotations](/docs/getting-started/annotations). |
| [CfxLua IntelliSense](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=overextended.cfxlua-vscode) | Adds FiveM natives and the CfxLua syntax extensions (backtick hashes, compound assignment) to the language server. |
| [ESX VSCode](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Knoblauchbrot.esx-vscode) | Snippets and completion for ESX functions and variables. |
| [StyLua](https://github.com/JohnnyMorganz/StyLua) | Code formatter for Lua, so indentation and spacing stay consistent. |

## Server and database [#server-and-database]

| Tool | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| [txAdmin](https://txadm.in/) | Web panel shipped with every FiveM server build: deploy the [ESX recipe](/docs/getting-started/installation), live console, scheduled restarts, player management, bans. |
| [HeidiSQL](https://www.heidisql.com/) | Windows database client for MariaDB/MySQL. Import `legacy.sql`, browse the `users` table, export backups. |
| [DBeaver](https://dbeaver.io/) | Cross-platform database client, useful on Linux and macOS. |
| [oxmysql UI](https://overextended.dev/oxmysql) | With `set mysql_ui true`, admins can open an in-game view of query times to find slow queries. |
| [Cfx.re docs](https://docs.fivem.net/) | Official native reference, resource manifest documentation and server commands. |

## Community web tools [#community-web-tools]

These are the tools listed by the official ESX documentation. All have a free tier.

| Tool | What it is used for |
| --- | --- |
| [Durty Cloth Tool](https://gta.clothing/) | Prepare and merge custom clothing for FiveM servers. |
| [Forge (Plebmasters)](https://forge.plebmasters.de/) | Search GTA V game assets such as peds, vehicles, props and their names and hashes. Handy when you need the exact model name for a script or config. |
| [Smart Merge V](https://smartmerge.de/) | A Plebmasters tool for combining many add-on resources into fewer ones. |
| [SwisserAI](https://ai.swisser.dev/) | An AI assistant focused on FiveM scripting. Treat its output like any generated code: read and test it before use. |

## Tips for choosing tools [#tips-for-choosing-tools]

- Prefer tools that work on your own files offline when the data is sensitive. Your database dump contains player identifiers.
- When an AI tool or online generator gives you ESX code, compare it with this documentation. Many generate the deprecated `esx:getSharedObject` event pattern or functions that do not exist in ESX Legacy.
- Merged clothing and vehicle packs can be large. Test the client load time after adding them; slow downloads are a common cause of players stuck while joining.

## Related [#related]

- [Your first ESX resource](/docs/getting-started/first-resource)
- [Annotations](/docs/getting-started/annotations)
- [Coding practices](/docs/getting-started/coding-practices)