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Install a RedM server with VORP Core

Published on May 16, 2026 at 07:12 PM

Deploy a Red Dead Redemption 2 RedM server with the VORP Core Roleplay framework. This guide covers RedM artifacts installation, MySQL database, VORP Core and core resources to bootstrap a Western RP server.

Introduction

RedM is the FiveM equivalent for Red Dead Redemption 2: a multiplayer client that connects to custom servers. VORP Core is the reference Roleplay framework on RedM, comparable to ESX/QBCore on FiveM. It provides the character system, inventory, currency, jobs and base UI.

Prerequisites

Debian 12 or Ubuntu 22.04+ VPS at VeryCloud
4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB recommended
Root SSH access
A Cfx.re license (identical to FiveM, see step 6)
Basic FiveM/RedM knowledge (procedure is very similar)

Step 1: Update and dependencies

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y xz-utils curl wget git unzip mariadb-server

Step 2: Create a dedicated user

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash redm
sudo passwd redm
sudo su - redm

Step 3: Download RedM artifacts

RedM artifacts use the same system as FiveM, with a different URL.

Go to https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/ and get the latest recommended build. RedM uses the same binaries as FiveM, only the game branch differs.

mkdir -p ~/server && cd ~/server
wget https://runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_proot_linux/master/XXXX-XXXX/fx.tar.xz
tar xf fx.tar.xz && rm fx.tar.xz

Step 4: Create the server-data folder

mkdir -p ~/server-data/resources
cd ~/server-data
git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data.git .

Step 5: Configure MariaDB

sudo mysql_secure_installation
sudo mysql -u root -p

CREATE DATABASE vorp CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;
CREATE USER 'vorp'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'SecurePassword!';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON vorp.* TO 'vorp'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Step 6: Get a Cfx.re license

Same as FiveM: https://keymaster.fivem.net

+ New Server Key → enter the VPS IP → get the key.

Step 7: Install oxmysql (RedM compatible)

cd ~/server-data/resources
git clone https://github.com/overextended/oxmysql.git oxmysql

Step 8: Install VORP Core

cd ~/server-data/resources
mkdir -p [vorp]
cd [vorp]
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp-core-lua.git vorp_core
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_character.git vorp_character
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_inventory-lua.git vorp_inventory
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_metabolism.git vorp_metabolism
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/menu_base.git menu_base
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/progressBars.git progressBars
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/keys-mapper.git keys-mapper
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/MultiCharacter.git MultiCharacter

Step 9: Configure vorp_core

nano ~/server-data/resources/[vorp]/vorp_core/config/config_general.lua

Adapt:

Config.MySQL = {
    host = "localhost",
    user = "vorp",
    password = "SecurePassword!",
    database = "vorp",
    port = 3306
}

Config.Lang = "en"  -- or "fr"
Config.GameBuild = "1491"  -- current RedM version

Step 10: Import the SQL schema

VORP Core provides SQL files to import:

cd ~/server-data/resources/[vorp]/vorp_core
sudo mysql -u root -p vorp < installation/vorp.sql

Do the same for each VORP resource that has an installation/ or sql/ folder.

Step 11: Configure server.cfg

nano ~/server-data/server.cfg

Minimal content:

# === Endpoints ===
endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"
endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"

# === Server info ===
sv_hostname "RedM RP - VeryCloud"
sv_maxclients 32
sv_licenseKey "your-cfx-key"

# === Game build (RedM = rdr3) ===
gamename "rdr3"
sv_enforceGameBuild 1491

# === Database ===
set mysql_connection_string "server=localhost;database=vorp;userid=vorp;password=SecurePassword!"

# === Base resources ===
ensure mapmanager
ensure chat
ensure spawnmanager
ensure sessionmanager-rdr3
ensure rconlog
ensure scoreboard
ensure playernames
ensure hardcap

# === oxmysql ===
ensure oxmysql

# === VORP Core ===
ensure vorp_metadata_api
ensure vorp_core
ensure menu_base
ensure progressBars
ensure keys-mapper
ensure MultiCharacter
ensure vorp_character
ensure vorp_inventory
ensure vorp_metabolism

# === Admin permissions ===
add_principal identifier.discord:XXXXXXXX group.admin

Important: gamename "rdr3" is what distinguishes RedM from FiveM.

Step 12: First startup

cd ~/server-data
~/server/run.sh

Watch the console: all VORP resources should start with Started.

Connect from RedM (launched via the official RedM launcher): F8 → connect VPS_IP:30120.

Step 13: Systemd service

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/redm.service

[Unit]
Description=RedM Server (VORP)
After=network.target mariadb.service

[Service]
Type=simple
User=redm
WorkingDirectory=/home/redm/server-data
ExecStart=/home/redm/server/run.sh
Restart=always
RestartSec=10
LimitNOFILE=65536

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now redm

Step 14: Popular VORP resources

To flesh out the server:

cd ~/server-data/resources/[vorp]

# Jobs
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_jobs.git
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorpdoctor.git
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorpbanker.git
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_bountyhunter.git

# Economy
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_stores.git
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_hotel.git
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_horses.git

# RP mechanics
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_admin_lua.git vorp_admin
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_houses.git
git clone https://github.com/VORPCORE/vorp_doorlocks.git

Add each resource in server.cfg with ensure <name> and import the associated SQL.

Troubleshooting

"Game build mismatch"

Couldn't load resource X: invalid game build

Sync sv_enforceGameBuild in server.cfg with the version supported by your VORP version. Currently, RedM mostly uses build 1491.

MySQL connection refused

[oxmysql] [ERROR] Failed to establish connection

Test the connection:

mysql -u vorp -p -h localhost vorp

Check the mysql_connection_string in server.cfg (frequent typos on spaces).

Player dies instantly on spawn

VORP requires vorp_metabolism and vorp_character to be properly initialized. Check the logs on startup of these resources.

Empty inventory / disappearing items

Make sure the items table in the database is properly populated. Import the base SQL:

sudo mysql -u root -p vorp < ~/server-data/resources/[vorp]/vorp_inventory/installation/items.sql

Useful commands

# Service status
sudo systemctl status redm

# Logs
sudo journalctl -u redm -f

# Restart
sudo systemctl restart redm

# List VORP resources
ls ~/server-data/resources/[vorp]/

# Update all VORP resources
cd ~/server-data/resources/[vorp]
for d in */; do
    cd "$d"
    git pull
    cd ..
done

Conclusion

Your RedM server is operational with VORP Core. RedM remains a niche universe compared to FiveM, with a smaller but very active Western RP community. Going further:

Configure Discord and the whitelist
Add custom resources to stand out (saloons, period jobs, local economy)
Set up a RedM-compatible anti-cheat (VORP has its own system)

Resources

Official RedM documentation: https://docs.fivem.net/docs/game-references/rdr3
VORP Core GitHub: https://github.com/VORPCORE
RedM forum: https://forum.cfx.re/c/red-dead-redemption-2
VORP Discord: https://discord.gg/vorpcore