🔄 Threads & Loops

What are Threads?

Threads in RedM are asynchronous processes that run independently without blocking the main script execution. They’re essential for creating continuous loops, delays, and background tasks.

Threads allow multiple things to happen “at the same time” without freezing the game!

CreateThread

The primary way to create a thread in RedM:

CreateThread(function()
    print('This runs in a thread!')
end)

Basic Thread Example

-- CLIENT SIDE
CreateThread(function()
    print('Thread started')
    Wait(5000) -- Wait 5 seconds
    print('5 seconds later')
end)

-- Main script continues immediately
print('Main script continues')

Output:

Main script continues
Thread started
(5 seconds pass)
5 seconds later

Wait() Function

Wait(milliseconds) pauses the current thread without freezing the game.

CreateThread(function()
    print('Starting countdown')

    for i = 10, 1, -1 do
        print(i)
        Wait(1000) -- Wait 1 second
    end

    print('Countdown complete!')
end)

NEVER use Wait(0) in a loop unless absolutely necessary! It runs every frame and kills performance.

Good Wait Times

-- BAD - Runs every frame (60+ times per second!)
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        -- Check something
        Wait(0)
    end
end)

-- GOOD - Runs every second
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        -- Check something
        Wait(1000)
    end
end)

-- BETTER - Runs only when needed
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        if someCondition then
            -- Do something
        end
        Wait(5000) -- Check every 5 seconds
    end
end)

Infinite Loops

Threads that run forever:

CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        -- This runs continuously
        print('Still running...')
        Wait(1000)
    end
end)

Real Example from RSG:

-- CLIENT SIDE (Status checks)
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()

        if IsPedDeadOrDying(ped) then
            -- Player is dead, handle death
            TriggerEvent('player:client:onDeath')
        end

        Wait(1000) -- Check every second
    end
end)

Conditional Loops

Loop Until Condition

CreateThread(function()
    local ready = false

    while not ready do
        -- Wait for player to load
        local PlayerData = RSGCore.Functions.GetPlayerData()
        if PlayerData and PlayerData.citizenid then
            ready = true
        end
        Wait(100)
    end

    print('Player is ready!')
end)

Loop While Condition

CreateThread(function()
    local inVehicle = true

    while inVehicle do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()

        if not IsPedInAnyVehicle(ped) then
            inVehicle = false
        else
            -- Update vehicle HUD
            DisplayRadar(true)
        end

        Wait(100)
    end

    print('Player exited vehicle')
end)

SetTimeout

Run code once after a delay (doesn’t block):

SetTimeout(5000, function()
    print('This runs after 5 seconds')
end)

print('Main script continues immediately')

Real Example from RSG:

-- SERVER SIDE (Give item after delay)
RSGCore.Commands.Add('giveitem', 'Give item to player', {
    {name = 'id', help = 'Player ID'},
    {name = 'item', help = 'Item name'}
}, true, function(source, args)
    local targetId = tonumber(args[1])
    local itemName = args[2]

    lib.notify(source, {
        description = 'Item will be delivered in 5 seconds...',
        type = 'info'
    })

    SetTimeout(5000, function()
        exports['rsg-inventory']:AddItem(targetId, itemName, 1, nil, nil, 'admin-command')

        lib.notify(source, {
            description = 'Item delivered!',
            type = 'success'
        })
    end)
end)

Multiple Threads

You can run multiple threads simultaneously:

-- Thread 1: Health regeneration
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()
        local health = GetEntityHealth(ped)

        if health < 200 then
            SetEntityHealth(ped, health + 1)
        end

        Wait(5000) -- Regen every 5 seconds
    end
end)

-- Thread 2: Stamina check
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()
        local stamina = GetPlayerStamina(PlayerId())

        if stamina < 50 then
            print('Low stamina!')
        end

        Wait(2000) -- Check every 2 seconds
    end
end)

-- Both threads run independently!

Breaking Out of Loops

Using break

CreateThread(function()
    local count = 0

    while true do
        count = count + 1
        print('Count:', count)

        if count >= 10 then
            break -- Exit the loop
        end

        Wait(1000)
    end

    print('Loop finished!')
end)

Using return

CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()

        if IsEntityDead(ped) then
            print('Player died, stopping thread')
            return -- Exit the entire thread
        end

        -- Do something

        Wait(1000)
    end
end)

Thread Control Patterns

Start/Stop Thread

-- CLIENT SIDE
local activeThread = false

local function startMonitoring()
    if activeThread then return end
    activeThread = true

    CreateThread(function()
        while activeThread do
            -- Monitor something
            print('Monitoring...')
            Wait(1000)
        end
        print('Monitoring stopped')
    end)
end

local function stopMonitoring()
    activeThread = false
end

-- Usage
startMonitoring()
Wait(5000)
stopMonitoring()

Restart Thread

local currentThread = nil

local function restartThread()
    -- Stop existing thread
    if currentThread then
        currentThread = false
    end

    -- Start new thread
    currentThread = true

    CreateThread(function()
        local thisThread = currentThread

        while thisThread do
            if thisThread ~= currentThread then
                break -- This thread was restarted
            end

            -- Do work
            print('Working...')
            Wait(1000)
        end
    end)
end

Common Thread Patterns

Pattern 1: Entity Proximity Check

Check if player is near an entity/location:

-- CLIENT SIDE
CreateThread(function()
    local shopLocation = vector3(2633.0, -1220.0, 53.0)
    local inRange = false

    while true do
        local playerCoords = GetEntityCoords(PlayerPedId())
        local distance = #(playerCoords - shopLocation)

        if distance < 2.0 and not inRange then
            inRange = true
            -- Show prompt
            lib.showTextUI('[E] Open Shop')
        elseif distance >= 2.0 and inRange then
            inRange = false
            -- Hide prompt
            lib.hideTextUI()
        end

        -- Check every frame when close, less often when far
        Wait(inRange and 0 or 1000)
    end
end)

Pattern 2: Player State Monitor

Monitor player state changes:

-- CLIENT SIDE
CreateThread(function()
    local wasInVehicle = false

    while true do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()
        local inVehicle = IsPedInAnyVehicle(ped)

        if inVehicle and not wasInVehicle then
            -- Just entered vehicle
            TriggerEvent('player:enteredVehicle')
            wasInVehicle = true
        elseif not inVehicle and wasInVehicle then
            -- Just exited vehicle
            TriggerEvent('player:exitedVehicle')
            wasInVehicle = false
        end

        Wait(500)
    end
end)

Pattern 3: Timed Buff/Debuff

Apply effect for a duration:

-- CLIENT SIDE
local function applySpeedBoost(duration)
    CreateThread(function()
        local ped = PlayerPedId()

        -- Apply boost
        SetPedMoveRateOverride(ped, 1.5)

        lib.notify({
            description = 'Speed boost active!',
            type = 'success'
        })

        -- Wait for duration
        Wait(duration)

        -- Remove boost
        SetPedMoveRateOverride(ped, 1.0)

        lib.notify({
            description = 'Speed boost ended',
            type = 'info'
        })
    end)
end

-- Usage
applySpeedBoost(10000) -- 10 second boost

Pattern 4: Cooldown System

Prevent spam by adding cooldowns:

-- CLIENT SIDE
local lastUsed = 0
local cooldown = 5000 -- 5 seconds

local function useAbility()
    local currentTime = GetGameTimer()

    if currentTime - lastUsed < cooldown then
        local remaining = math.ceil((cooldown - (currentTime - lastUsed)) / 1000)
        lib.notify({
            description = 'Cooldown: ' .. remaining .. 's',
            type = 'error'
        })
        return
    end

    lastUsed = currentTime

    -- Use ability
    print('Ability used!')
    TriggerServerEvent('abilities:server:useAbility')
end

Pattern 5: Resource Load Wait

Wait for other resources to load:

-- CLIENT SIDE
CreateThread(function()
    -- Wait for core to be ready
    while not RSGCore do
        Wait(100)
    end

    -- Wait for player data
    while not RSGCore.Functions.GetPlayerData().citizenid do
        Wait(100)
    end

    -- Now safe to use
    print('Player loaded:', RSGCore.Functions.GetPlayerData().citizenid)
end)

Performance Optimization

Dynamic Wait Times

Adjust wait time based on conditions:

CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()
        local playerCoords = GetEntityCoords(ped)
        local nearbyPlayers = RSGCore.Functions.GetPlayersInScope(playerCoords, 50.0)

        -- Update more frequently when players are nearby
        local waitTime = #nearbyPlayers > 0 and 500 or 2000

        -- Do something with nearby players

        Wait(waitTime)
    end
end)

CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local ped = PlayerPedId()
        local vehicle = GetVehiclePedIsIn(ped, false)

        if vehicle ~= 0 then
            -- Player in vehicle, update HUD
            DisplayRadar(true)
            Wait(100)
        else
            -- Player not in vehicle, sleep longer
            DisplayRadar(false)
            Wait(1000)
        end
    end
end)

Real RSG Framework Examples

Example 1: Duty System

-- CLIENT SIDE (rsg-policejob)
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local PlayerData = RSGCore.Functions.GetPlayerData()

        if PlayerData.job and PlayerData.job.name == 'police' then
            if PlayerData.job.onduty then
                -- Show police blip
                -- Enable police features
            else
                -- Hide police blip
                -- Disable police features
            end
            Wait(1000)
        else
            Wait(5000) -- Not police, check less often
        end
    end
end)

Example 2: Health/Hunger System

-- CLIENT SIDE (rsg-core)
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local PlayerData = RSGCore.Functions.GetPlayerData()

        if PlayerData.metadata then
            local hunger = PlayerData.metadata.hunger or 100
            local thirst = PlayerData.metadata.thirst or 100

            if hunger <= 0 or thirst <= 0 then
                -- Apply damage
                local ped = PlayerPedId()
                local health = GetEntityHealth(ped)
                SetEntityHealth(ped, health - 5)
            end
        end

        Wait(30000) -- Check every 30 seconds
    end
end)

Example 3: Auto-Save

-- SERVER SIDE (rsg-core)
CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        Wait(300000) -- 5 minutes

        for src, Player in pairs(RSGCore.Players) do
            if Player then
                Player.Functions.Save()
            end
        end

        print('[AUTO-SAVE] Saved all player data')
    end
end)

Debugging Threads

Thread Identifier

CreateThread(function()
    local threadId = 'MyThread-' .. math.random(1000, 9999)
    print('^2[THREAD START]^7', threadId)

    while true do
        -- Your code
        Wait(1000)
    end

    print('^1[THREAD END]^7', threadId)
end)

Performance Monitor

CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local startTime = GetGameTimer()

        -- Your code here

        local endTime = GetGameTimer()
        local executionTime = endTime - startTime

        if executionTime > 50 then
            print('^3[WARNING]^7 Thread took', executionTime, 'ms')
        end

        Wait(1000)
    end
end)

Summary

Function	Purpose	Blocks Main Script
`CreateThread()`	Create async thread	No
`Wait(ms)`	Pause current thread	No (only pauses thread)
`SetTimeout(ms, cb)`	Run once after delay	No
`while true do`	Infinite loop	Only if no Wait()

Always use Wait() in loops to prevent freezing the game!

Best Practices

Use appropriate wait times (avoid Wait(0))
Break long operations into chunks
Clean up threads when no longer needed
Use dynamic wait times based on conditions
Monitor thread performance

Next Steps

Table Operations - Advanced table manipulation
Common Patterns - RSG Framework best practices
Performance Tips - Optimize your code

Need more help? Join the RSG Framework Discord!

Lua Fundamentals

🔄 Threads & Loops

What are Threads?

CreateThread

Basic Thread Example

Wait() Function

Good Wait Times

Infinite Loops

Conditional Loops

Loop Until Condition

Loop While Condition

SetTimeout

Multiple Threads

Breaking Out of Loops

Using break

Using return

Thread Control Patterns

Start/Stop Thread

Restart Thread

Common Thread Patterns

Pattern 1: Entity Proximity Check

Pattern 2: Player State Monitor

Pattern 3: Timed Buff/Debuff

Pattern 4: Cooldown System

Pattern 5: Resource Load Wait

Performance Optimization

Dynamic Wait Times

Sleep When Inactive

Real RSG Framework Examples

Example 1: Duty System

Example 2: Health/Hunger System

Example 3: Auto-Save

Debugging Threads

Thread Identifier

Performance Monitor

Summary

Best Practices

Next Steps

Lua Fundamentals

​What are Threads?

​CreateThread

​Basic Thread Example

​Wait() Function

​Good Wait Times

​Infinite Loops

​Conditional Loops

​Loop Until Condition

​Loop While Condition

​SetTimeout

​Multiple Threads

​Breaking Out of Loops

​Using break

​Using return

​Thread Control Patterns

​Start/Stop Thread

​Restart Thread

​Common Thread Patterns

​Pattern 1: Entity Proximity Check

​Pattern 2: Player State Monitor

​Pattern 3: Timed Buff/Debuff

​Pattern 4: Cooldown System

​Pattern 5: Resource Load Wait

​Performance Optimization

​Dynamic Wait Times

​Sleep When Inactive

​Real RSG Framework Examples

​Example 1: Duty System

​Example 2: Health/Hunger System

​Example 3: Auto-Save

​Debugging Threads

​Thread Identifier

​Performance Monitor

​Summary

​Best Practices

​Next Steps

What are Threads?

CreateThread

Basic Thread Example

Wait() Function

Good Wait Times

Infinite Loops

Conditional Loops

Loop Until Condition

Loop While Condition

SetTimeout

Multiple Threads

Breaking Out of Loops

Using break

Using return

Thread Control Patterns

Start/Stop Thread

Restart Thread

Common Thread Patterns

Pattern 1: Entity Proximity Check

Pattern 2: Player State Monitor

Pattern 3: Timed Buff/Debuff

Pattern 4: Cooldown System

Pattern 5: Resource Load Wait

Performance Optimization

Dynamic Wait Times

Sleep When Inactive

Real RSG Framework Examples

Example 1: Duty System

Example 2: Health/Hunger System

Example 3: Auto-Save

Debugging Threads

Thread Identifier

Performance Monitor

Summary

Best Practices

Next Steps