The FiveM framework landscape has evolved significantly, and QBOX — built on the Overextended ecosystem — represents the next generation of server development. If you have been running QBCore and wondering whether it is time to upgrade, or if you are starting a new server and want the most modern foundation available, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about QBOX in 2026.

What Is QBOX?

QBOX is a FiveM framework that builds on top of the Overextended library ecosystem. Rather than being a completely new framework written from scratch, QBOX takes the familiar QBCore structure and replaces its core systems with Overextended libraries — delivering better performance, cleaner code, and a more modular architecture.

Think of it this way: QBCore provided the blueprint for how a roleplay server should work. QBOX takes that blueprint and rebuilds it with modern engineering practices, leveraging battle-tested libraries that each do one thing exceptionally well.

The key difference is that QBOX is not a monolithic framework. Instead, it is a collection of independent, well-maintained libraries that work together seamlessly. This modular approach means you can update individual components without breaking your entire server.

The Overextended Ecosystem

Understanding QBOX requires understanding the Overextended libraries it depends on. Here are the core components:

ox_lib

The foundation library that provides shared utilities, UI components, and developer tools. ox_lib includes a powerful callback system, progress bars, context menus, input dialogs, notification system, and much more. Almost every modern FiveM resource uses ox_lib in some capacity, making it the most widely adopted library in the ecosystem.

ox_inventory

A complete inventory system that replaces qb-inventory or qs-inventory. It features a clean, performant UI, proper item metadata handling, weapon attachments, crafting support, shops, and stash management. ox_inventory is significantly more performant than older inventory solutions and supports both item-based and weapon-based systems natively.

ox_target

The targeting system that replaces qb-target or bt-target. ox_target provides the eye/interaction system that lets players interact with entities, objects, and zones in the world. It is lighter and faster than its predecessors while maintaining full compatibility with the targeting API that script developers expect.

oxmysql

The MySQL driver that handles all database communication. oxmysql replaces mysql-async and ghmattimysql with a more efficient, well-maintained alternative. It supports prepared statements, transactions, and connection pooling out of the box, with better error handling and query performance.

ox_doorlock

A door management system for locking and unlocking doors with proper synchronization. It replaces qb-doorlock and nui_doorlock with a cleaner implementation that handles door states reliably across all players.

Why Migrate from QBCore to QBOX?

There are several compelling reasons to consider the switch:

• Performance — Overextended libraries are optimized for minimal resource usage. Servers running QBOX consistently report lower tick times and better player capacity compared to equivalent QBCore setups.
• Active development — The Overextended team maintains their libraries actively with regular updates, bug fixes, and new features. QBCore development has slowed considerably.
• Code quality — ox libraries follow modern Lua best practices with proper typing, documentation, and consistent APIs. This makes development and debugging significantly easier.
• Modular updates — Update ox_inventory without touching ox_lib. Fix a bug in ox_target without restarting your entire framework. Each component is independent.
• Community momentum — New script releases increasingly target QBOX/Overextended first, with QBCore support as a secondary consideration. The ecosystem is shifting.
• Backward compatibility — QBOX maintains compatibility with many QBCore scripts through bridge modules, so migration does not require replacing every resource at once.

QBOX vs QBCore: Detailed Comparison

Aspect	QBCore	QBOX
Architecture	Monolithic framework	Modular library ecosystem
Inventory	qb-inventory (or qs-inventory)	ox_inventory
Target System	qb-target / bt-target	ox_target
UI Library	Custom per-resource	ox_lib (unified)
Database Driver	mysql-async / oxmysql	oxmysql (native)
Performance	Good	Excellent
Script Compatibility	Massive ecosystem	Growing + QB bridge
Documentation	Community wiki	Official docs site
Development Activity	Slowing	Very active
Learning Curve	Moderate	Moderate (easier if from QB)
Community Size	Very large	Growing rapidly

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Setting up a QBOX server from scratch involves the following steps:

Step 1: Server Artifacts

Download the latest FiveM server artifacts from the official Cfx.re builds page. QBOX works best with the latest recommended build. Extract them to your server directory.

Step 2: Database Setup

Install MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6+. Create a new database for your server. You will need the connection string in the format: mysql://user:password@localhost/database_name

Step 3: Install oxmysql

Download the latest release of oxmysql from GitHub. Place it in your resources folder. Add ensure oxmysql to your server.cfg before any other resource. Configure your database connection string in the server.cfg.

Step 4: Install ox_lib

Download ox_lib from the Overextended GitHub releases. Place it in your resources folder. It must load after oxmysql but before everything else. Run the included SQL file to create required database tables.

Step 5: Install QBOX Core

Clone or download the qbx_core repository. This is the heart of QBOX that handles player management, jobs, gangs, and core server functions. Import the SQL files and configure your server settings in the shared config.

Step 6: Install Remaining OX Libraries

Install ox_inventory, ox_target, and ox_doorlock in order. Each has its own SQL file and configuration. Follow the documentation for each library to set up default items, shops, and door configurations.

Step 7: Resource Load Order

Your server.cfg should load resources in this order:

• oxmysql
• ox_lib
• qbx_core
• ox_inventory
• ox_target
• ox_doorlock
• Your additional resources

Pros and Cons of QBOX

Pros

• Superior performance and lower resource consumption
• Actively maintained with regular updates
• Clean, well-documented codebase
• Modular architecture allows independent updates
• Growing script ecosystem
• QBCore backward compatibility via bridges
• Modern UI components through ox_lib

Cons

• Smaller script ecosystem compared to QBCore (though growing fast)
• Not all QBCore scripts work through the bridge without modifications
• Documentation, while good, is still expanding
• Fewer YouTube tutorials and community guides compared to QBCore
• Some premium scripts have not been updated for QBOX compatibility yet

Compatibility Notes

One of the biggest concerns when considering QBOX is script compatibility. Here is what you need to know:

QBCore bridge: QBOX includes a compatibility bridge that translates QBCore function calls to their QBOX equivalents. Many QBCore scripts work without modification through this bridge. However, scripts that deeply integrate with QBCore internals or use deprecated functions may need updates.

ESX scripts: ESX scripts are not compatible with QBOX. If you are migrating from ESX, you will need QBOX-native or QBCore versions of your resources.

Standalone scripts: Scripts that do not depend on any framework (standalone resources) work fine with QBOX, just as they do with any other framework.

Testing compatibility: Before migrating, test your critical scripts on a development server with QBOX. Start the resource, check for errors in the console, and verify core functionality works as expected.

Final Thoughts

QBOX represents the natural evolution of the QBCore framework, combining familiar concepts with modern engineering through the Overextended ecosystem. If you are starting a new server in 2026, QBOX is the recommended choice. If you are running an established QBCore server, the migration is worthwhile but should be planned carefully — test thoroughly on a development server and migrate resources incrementally rather than all at once. The FiveM development community is clearly moving toward Overextended libraries, and QBOX positions your server at the forefront of that shift.

Premium QBOX-Compatible Resources on VertexMods

Running the QBOX / Overextended stack? These premium scripts from VertexMods are compatible with ox_lib and the QBOX ecosystem:

• quasar-inventory-v3 — 35€ — Quasar Inventory V3 — works with ox_lib
• dispatch-mdt-quasar — 30€ — Quasar Dispatch + MDT
• drugs-creator — 50€ — Drugs Creator — configurable drug system
• robbery-creator — 65€ — Robbery Creator — multi-location heists
• jobs-creator-7 — 60€ — Jobs Creator — create any job, any framework