Getting Started with PulseMDT
PulseMDT is a free, full-featured law enforcement management system for FiveM roleplay servers. This guide covers what it does, what you need before you start, and how to get your server connected and your officers up and running.
What PulseMDT gives your server
Most FiveM RP communities want their law enforcement departments to feel realistic. That means officers should be able to look up vehicle registrations, run criminal history checks, file arrest reports, and coordinate on active calls, all in one place. PulseMDT covers all of that.
The system has two parts that work together. The first is the web dashboard at pulsemdt.com, where officers log in through Discord and access the full MDT interface from any browser. The second is the FiveM resource that runs on your game server, which adds an in-game MDT tablet, ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) integration for officers on patrol, and real-time location updates for dispatch.
Key features your department gets immediately after setup:
- NCIC database: look up characters, vehicles, and criminal records by name or plate
- Active calls board: dispatchers see all open calls with assigned units and locations
- BOLO alerts: mark wanted vehicles and suspects visible to all on-duty officers
- Shift management: officers clock in and out, with shift history tracked
- Arrest and incident reports: structured forms that stay on the record
- In-game MDT tablet: officers can access the dashboard without leaving the game
- Panic button: alerts all on-duty officers with the officer's location instantly
Before you start
PulseMDT is free and does not require a paid subscription, but there are a few things you need in place before setup:
A FiveM server you administrate
You need access to add and manage resources on your game server.
A Discord server for your community
PulseMDT uses Discord OAuth for authentication. Officers log in with their Discord account, so your Discord server is the source of truth for who has access.
A web host for the dashboard
The PulseMDT web dashboard and API need to run somewhere accessible from the internet. A VPS, dedicated server, or cloud host with Node.js support works fine.
MySQL database
PulseMDT stores characters, records, reports, and user data in MySQL. Most hosting providers include MySQL, or you can run it yourself.
How the setup works
Setup has three main steps: deploying the web dashboard, adding the FiveM resource to your game server, and connecting them with your API key.
Register your server on pulsemdt.com
Log into the PulseMDT web dashboard using your Discord account and set up your guild. This registers your Discord server and generates your API key.
Add the FiveM resource
Download the PulseMDT FiveM resource from the Discord and add it to your server's resources folder. Copy config.example.lua to config.lua and fill in your web dashboard URL and API key.
Add the resource to server.cfg
Add "ensure pulsemdt" to your server.cfg and restart your FiveM server. The resource will connect to your dashboard and start syncing.
Set up departments and roles
In the PulseMDT admin panel, configure your departments (Police, EMS, etc.) and link Discord roles to department access. Officers with the right role will have access when they log in.
Configuring the FiveM resource
The shared config.lua controls client-safe behavior. Keep credentials server-only in server.cfg:
The resource comes with a config.example.lua that documents every available option with descriptions. Copy it to config.lua and work through it top to bottom before your first server start.
Once it's running
After setup, officers log into the web dashboard at your pulsemdt.com domain with their Discord accounts. Anyone with the correct Discord role for their department gets access automatically, no manual approval needed.
In game, community members use /cad or the configured toggle key (F6 by default) to open the local terminal. Civilian records are limited to their Discord-linked characters, and operational panels appear only for their synced department roles. Administration remains web-only.
Dispatchers get their own view in the web dashboard: a live map with all on-duty units, an active calls board, and the ability to assign units to calls. Everything updates in real time as officers move and call statuses change.
Need help with setup?
Join the PulseSystems Discord for setup support, updates, and to get help from the community. Setup questions are welcome and usually answered quickly.