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Getting Started with Server

This page shows how to set up and run a SYNC MP server.

:::info Windows only The server is a Windows x64 program (altv-server.exe). There is no Linux build: transport encryption uses the Windows crypto library. On a VPS, use Windows Server 2019 or newer. :::

1. Requirements​

  • Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2019+, 64-bit.
  • Nothing else for JavaScript. The .NET 8 runtime ships inside the server folder (dotnet/runtime/), so C# resources run without installing .NET. You only need the .NET 8 SDK to build C# code.
  • Whatever your gamemode uses itself (for example MySQL and Redis for NeptuneEvo).

2. The server folder​

Keep every file in this folder together:

server/
├─ altv-server.exe          the server — run it from THIS folder
├─ nethost.dll              .NET hosting (required, do not delete)
├─ conf.json                server config (RAGE:MP format)
├─ packages/                server-side JavaScript packages (one folder = one package)
├─ dotnet/
│   ├─ runtime/             bundled .NET 8 + Bootstrapper.dll (GTANetworkAPI)
│   └─ resources/           server-side C# resources (one folder = one resource)
├─ client_packages/         everything players download
│   ├─ index.js             the client entry point
│   └─ game_resources/
│       └─ dlcpacks/        custom cars and clothes (<pack>/dlc.rpf)
├─ loadingscreen/           optional custom loading screen
├─ f1menu/                  optional custom F1 panel
└─ cache/ data/ logs/       working folders (created automatically)

3. Configure​

Edit conf.json. The format and keys are the same as RAGE:MP's:

{
  "name": "My Server",
  "gamemode": "freeroam",
  "maxplayers": 100,
  "port": 22005,
  "stream-distance": 500.0,
  "voice-chat": true,
  "csharp": "enabled",
  "enable-nodejs": true
}

All keys are listed in Server configuration.

4. Open the ports​

The server listens on two ports. Both must be reachable from the internet:

PortProtocolUsed for
port (default 22005)UDPthe game: connection, sync, events, voice
port + 1 (default 22006)TCPHTTP: client_packages, DLC packs, loading screen

With only the UDP port open, players connect and then hang while downloading files. The server tries UPnP on your router itself ("upnp": true by default), but on a VPS or behind a strict firewall you must open both ports by hand. See Networking, ports & security.

5. Start it​

Double-click altv-server.exe, or run it from a console in the server folder:

cd C:\server
.\altv-server.exe

A healthy start looks like this:

Loading NodeJS packages...
"server" package has been loaded.
Starting packages...
Server packages have been started.
...
dlcpacks: serving 2 DLC file(s), 466 MB (streamed from disk)
Started! Waiting for connections..

6. Connect​

Players connect through the launcher (server list or direct host:port). On the first visit the launcher downloads your client_packages and DLC packs, then starts the game straight into your server. Later visits only download what changed.

Next steps​