Introduction
What is SnailyCAD?
SnailyCAD is an open source Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and MDT for FiveM and other roleplay communities. It runs in the browser and is built with Next.js, React, TypeScript, Ts.ED and Node.js.
This edition
These docs cover the MySQL / MariaDB edition of SnailyCADv4, github.com/EWANZO101/snailycad-mysql.
What's different from the original SnailyCAD
| Original SnailyCAD | This edition |
|---|---|
| PostgreSQL only | MySQL 8 or MariaDB 10.6+, with tools to move a PostgreSQL CAD over |
Install by hand: Git, Node.js, pnpm, database, .env | One command on Ubuntu, then a setup wizard in your browser (Docker or standalone) |
| No radio | Radio built in: browser radio for dispatch, FiveM resource for units |
| Update from the terminal | Update CAD button on the admin dashboard, with a progress page while it builds |
| Login page links to snailycad.org | Login page notice you write yourself |
- MySQL / MariaDB support: run the CAD on MySQL 8 or MariaDB 10.6+ instead of PostgreSQL.
- Move from PostgreSQL: copy an existing CAD over with
pnpm convert:postgresor from CAD Settings. - One-line installers: one command on Ubuntu, Docker or standalone, finished in a browser setup wizard.
- Uninstaller: removes everything the installer added.
- Update CAD button: update from the admin dashboard; the site shows a progress page while it builds.
- Built-in radio: push-to-talk for dispatchers and admins on every CAD page, with a pop-out window; listen to many channels, talk on one.
- FiveM radio resource: units talk in game on Caps Lock, with a handheld, positional audio, earpieces and support for pma-voice, SaltyChat, TokoVOIP and mumble-voip.
- Tone presets: dispatch plays alert tones to everyone, a department, a unit or a call.
- Unit messages: private messages between on-duty units.
- Mini-CAD: a small floating panel with the latest 911 call.
- Recovery tools: get back into the CAD if you're locked out.
- Login page notice: tell players to ask your staff for help, not SnailyCAD.
- Demo mode: run a public demo CAD that resets itself.
- New look: refreshed dark interface, searchable admin sidebar and a new admin dashboard.
All the details: Updates — October 2026.
System requirements
- OS: Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 for the one-line install. Other Linux systems and Windows work with the manual install.
- CPU: 2 vCPUs or more
- RAM: about 4 GB of RAM + swap to build the CAD
- Disk: 8 GB free
- Database: MySQL 8 or MariaDB 10.6+ (the installers can set up MariaDB for you)
Installation
One-line install (recommended)
On a fresh Ubuntu server, run:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/EWANZO101/snailycad-mysql/main/scripts/installer/install.sh | sudo bash
It prints a link to a setup wizard. Open it in your browser, pick Docker or Ubuntu (standalone), and click through the steps. See One-line install for the details and the Docker-only and Ubuntu-only commands.
Other ways
- Docker: the one-line Docker installer, or Docker Compose by hand.
- MySQL / MariaDB by hand: any OS with Node.js, pnpm and a MySQL/MariaDB database.
- Manual install (PostgreSQL, upstream): the original SnailyCAD guides, for the official PostgreSQL edition.
Reverse proxies
Put the CAD behind a domain with HTTPS. It is safer, and the radio needs it to use the microphone. Cloudflare Tunnels is the easiest; NGINX if you already use it.
Updating
Use Admin → Dashboard → Update CAD, or see Updating.
Setting up SnailyCAD
Once the CAD opens in your browser, continue with the setup.