If you've bought FiveM scripts before, you've seen the term escrow. Here's a plain-language breakdown of what it is, what it means for your server, and what you can and can't do with an escrowed resource.
The Short Version
Escrow is FiveM's built-in DRM system. When a script is escrowed, the Lua source code is encrypted and tied to your Keymaster license. The resource runs on your server, but the source isn't readable.
How It Works
Cfx.re (the company behind FiveM) runs the escrow infrastructure. When a developer uploads a resource through Tebex, the files are encrypted server-side. When your server starts:
- FiveM's runtime contacts the escrow servers
- It verifies your Keymaster license key matches the purchase
- The resource decrypts in memory and runs normally
This happens on every server restart. If your license isn't valid, the resource won't load.
What You Can Still Do
Escrow does not prevent you from:
- Using the script normally on your server
- Editing the
config.lua(config files are never escrowed) - Reading and modifying any provided
shared/orhtml/files that the developer left open - Running the resource on multiple servers tied to the same license key
What You Can't Do
You cannot:
- Read or modify the core Lua logic
- Extract and redistribute the resource
- Use it on servers not tied to your license
This protects the developer's work and ensures buyers are running legitimate, unmodified code.
Lifetime Updates
Because escrow is tied to Tebex, updates are automatic. When we push a new version, the next time your server restarts it pulls the latest build. You don't need to re-download anything manually.
Common Questions
Will it work on a rented server / zap-hosting / etc?
Yes — as long as the server's license key is registered to your Cfx.re account and your Tebex purchase is linked to that same account.
What if escrow servers are down?
FiveM maintains high availability for escrow. Brief outages are rare, and most resources have a short grace window before they fail to load.
Can I transfer my license?
Tebex purchases are tied to the account that bought them. You can add new Keymaster entries under the same account, but transferring to a different account isn't supported.
Questions about a specific purchase? Open a ticket in our Discord and we'll help you get sorted.