> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mythicframework.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# First Start

> Starting your Mythic Framework server for the first time

This guide walks you through connecting to your server for the first time, verifying everything works, and creating your first character.

## Pre-Start Checklist

Make sure you've completed:

* MongoDB and MySQL running
* Mythic Framework deployed via [Server Setup](/installation/server-setup)
* `server.cfg` configured with license key, database connections, admin permissions

<Warning>
  If any of these aren't done, go back and finish them. Starting with incomplete config will cause errors.
</Warning>

## Starting the Server

**Windows:** Run `FXServer.exe` in your server directory. txAdmin starts automatically at `http://localhost:40120`.

**Linux:**

```bash theme={null}
cd ~/fivem-server
./run.sh
```

<Accordion title="Running as a systemd service (Linux production)">
  ```ini theme={null}
  [Unit]
  Description=Mythic Framework FiveM Server
  After=network.target mongodb.service mysql.service

  [Service]
  Type=simple
  User=your_username
  WorkingDirectory=/home/your_username/fivem-server
  ExecStart=/home/your_username/fivem-server/FXServer +exec server.cfg
  Restart=on-failure
  RestartSec=10

  [Install]
  WantedBy=multi-user.target
  ```

  ```bash theme={null}
  sudo systemctl daemon-reload
  sudo systemctl enable mythic-fivem
  sudo systemctl start mythic-fivem
  sudo journalctl -u mythic-fivem -f
  ```
</Accordion>

<Note>
  First start takes 2-5 minutes as databases initialize and resources compile. On first boot, Mythic automatically creates all MongoDB collections, MySQL tables, default items, jobs, locations, and indexes.
</Note>

## Connecting

### Localhost

Press `F8` in FiveM and type:

```
connect localhost:30120
```

### Remote

Make sure port 30120 is open in your firewall, then:

```
connect YOUR_SERVER_IP:30120
```

## First Login

When you connect for the first time:

1. **Loading screen** with Mythic branding
2. **Character creation** — enter name, DOB, gender, background
3. **Spawn selection** — pick a spawn point on the map
4. **You're in** — spawned into Los Santos

<Note>
  Character data is saved to MongoDB automatically. The character system is powered by `mythic-characters`.
</Note>

## Verify Systems

Once spawned, check that everything is working:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="HUD" icon="display">
    Health, armor, and status bars (hunger, thirst) should be visible.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Inventory" icon="box">
    Press your inventory keybind — UI should open with drag and drop working.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Phone" icon="mobile">
    Press your phone keybind — phone UI should open with apps visible.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Chat" icon="message">
    Press `T` — chat input should open. Send a test message.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Admin" icon="shield">
    If you set yourself as admin, type `/admin` — admin menu should open.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Check for Errors

Watch the server console for red error messages. Common issues:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Database connection errors" icon="database">
    Verify MongoDB and MySQL are running and connection strings in `server.cfg` are correct.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Resource load errors" icon="box-open">
    Check `resources.cfg` load order. `mythic-base` must load before everything else. Verify all resource folders exist in `resources/[mythic]/`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Character creation not showing" icon="user-xmark">
    Check `mythic-characters` is started. Look for errors in the F8 console. Verify database connection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="UI not showing" icon="display-slash">
    Check relevant resources are started. Clear FiveM cache at `%localappdata%\FiveM\FiveM.app\cache`. Restart FiveM.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Useful Console Commands

```bash theme={null}
status              # show connected players
restart mythic-xxx  # restart a resource
refresh             # reload server.cfg
quit                # graceful shutdown
```

## Backups

Set up database backups before going live:

```bash theme={null}
# MongoDB
mongodump --db fivem --out /backups/$(date +%Y%m%d)
mongodump --db auth --out /backups/$(date +%Y%m%d)

# MySQL
mysqldump -u root -p MythicFramework_345AE9 > /backups/mysql_$(date +%Y%m%d).sql
```

<Warning>
  Set up automated backups before opening to players. Database issues can mean data loss.
</Warning>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Configure Features" icon="sliders" href="/configuration/server-cfg">
    Customize server settings, economy, and more
  </Card>

  <Card title="Core Concepts" icon="brain" href="/concepts/architecture">
    Understand how Mythic Framework works
  </Card>
</CardGroup>