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

# Before you buy

> What your server needs to run an Element Labs product, and the questions asked most before a purchase.

Check this page against your server before you buy. Almost every product that fails to start on a
new server is missing one of the requirements below, not broken.

## What every product needs

| Requirement | Details |
| - | - |
| A FiveM server | Products are built for FiveM (GTA V). RedM is not supported. |
| `element_sdk` | Free, downloaded from the Cfx.re portal next to your product. One copy serves every product. |
| A Cfx.re account that owns the product | The download and the right to run it are bound to the account that bought it. See [Licensing](https://docs.elementlabs.net/policies/licensing.md). |
| Access to your server files | You install by copying the product's folders and `element_sdk`, and adding lines to `server.cfg`. |

## What some products need

Each product's overview page lists exactly what it needs. These are the possibilities:

| Requirement | Needed when |
| - | - |
| A framework: `es_extended` (ESX), `qb-core` (QBCore) or `qbx_core` (Qbox) | The product needs to know who a player is: their character, job or money. Some products run without one and say so. |
| A supported inventory | The product gives, takes or watches items. |
| A supported database resource | The product saves data between restarts. |
| A menu, text input or targeting resource | The product opens menus or targets through yours. |

The resources each of those can be, by exact folder name, are in
[Supported resources](https://docs.elementlabs.net/compatibility/supported-resources.md).

## Frequently asked

> **Do I need ESX, QBCore or Qbox?**
>
> Only if the product needs one, and its overview page says so. Any of the three works: no product
> is written for one of them in particular. A server that runs its own framework can connect it
> with [Use your own framework or resources](https://docs.elementlabs.net/scripting/custom-provider.md).

> **My inventory or notification resource is not on the list. Will it work?**
>
> Notifications, help text, progress bars and fuel fall back to the product's own version when
> none of yours is recognised. Inventories, databases, menus, text input and targeting have no
> fallback. If yours is not listed, it can still be connected by a scripter with
> [Use your own framework or resources](https://docs.elementlabs.net/scripting/custom-provider.md).

> **Can I edit the product's code?**
>
> No. The product's scripts are protected. Everything meant to be changed is in its `configs`
> folder (settings) and `locales` folder (text), and both are documented key by key on the
> product's own pages.

> **Can I run it on more than one server?**
>
> On the servers your Cfx.re account is allowed to run it on. See
> [Licensing](https://docs.elementlabs.net/policies/licensing.md).

> **Does the product update itself?**
>
> No. When a newer release exists, your server console says so once at start, and you install it
> when you choose. See [Update a product](https://docs.elementlabs.net/get-started/update.md).

> **Does it send anything from my server?**
>
> `element_sdk` checks once per start whether a newer release exists, and reports errors raised
> inside Element Labs resources. Both can be turned off. Exactly what is sent, and what never is, is
> in [Privacy and data](https://docs.elementlabs.net/policies/privacy.md).

> **Can I translate it?**
>
> Yes. Every piece of text is in a language file you can edit, and you can add a language the
> product does not ship. See [Languages](https://docs.elementlabs.net/configure/languages.md).


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