# Installation

> Setup guide for ML Smelter Stations

Category: SMELTER STATIONS · Source: https://miciomods.it/docs/ml-smelter-stations-installation · Last updated: 2026-07-28

## Overview

Placeable crafting stations for FiveM with fuel, durability, and timed cooking slots. Stations can be player-placed (persistent or temporary) or defined as fixed world points in config. XP system supports four providers: internal, ml_skills, DevHub, or custom.

## Quick Start

1. Download from [CFX Portal](https://portal.cfx.re)
2. Extract to your `resources` folder as `ml_smelter_stations`
3. Add to `server.cfg`:

**server.cfg**

```cfg
ensure oxmysql
ensure ox_lib
ensure ml_bridge
ensure ml_smelter_stations
```

> **WARNING:** Load Order
>
> `ml_smelter_stations` must start AFTER `ml_bridge`.

1. Register the station placement items in your inventory system (see Item Registration below)
2. Restart the server

## Database

Tables are created automatically on first start:

`ml_smelter_stations`: Stores persistent and fixed station positions, metadata (fuel state, cooking slots, durability), and ownership

`ml_smelter_xp`: Stores player XP and level data (only created when `Config.XP.Provider = 'internal'`)

## Item Registration

Register the following items in your inventory system. Each station type in `Config.Stations` requires a placement item:

- `campfire_kit`: Places a temporary campfire
- `forge_kit`: Places a persistent forge

Item names are configurable per station in `Config.Stations[stationType].item`.

> **TIP:** Durability Metadata
>
> Station items support a `furnacelife` metadata field (0-100) that preserves station durability when picked up and re-placed. The metadata is registered automatically on resource start.

## Verify

After starting, the version banner prints to the server console:

```lua
[ml_smelter_stations] Resource started
[ml_smelter_stations] Developed by Micio Mods | miciomods.it
```

With `Config.Debug = true`, the internal XP provider also logs when its table is ready:

```lua
[ml_smelter_stations] [XP] Internal database table ready.
```

**Troubleshooting**

- Station props not spawning. Verify the prop model names in `Config.Stations` are valid GTA V props. Enable `Config.Debug = true` to see spawn logs.
- Recipes not showing. Check that the recipe `category` matches one of the station's `cook_categories`.
- XP not tracking. Confirm `Config.XP.Enabled = true` and the `Provider` value matches a valid option (`'internal'`, `'ml_skills'`, `'devhub'`, `'custom'`).
- Station limit reached. Players can own up to `Config.MaxStationsPerPlayer` stations. Fixed stations do not count toward this limit.
- Old stations not being deleted. `Config.DeleteOld` must be a number (days). Check `Config.DeleteOptions` for conditions that prevent deletion (e.g., `DeleteOnlyIfEmpty`).