# Item Definition Precedence

# Item Definition Precedence

Deterministic reference/database/provider ownership rules.

**Applies to:** `Nord Inventory v2.0.0`
# Item definition precedence

Nord Inventory uses one deterministic rule:

1. **Database row exists for the item name** → the database definition is authoritative.
2. **No database row exists** → `shared/items.lua` / `shared/weapons.lua` is used as reference fallback.

Editing a reference/base item from Admin Studio creates or updates its database row. The reference file is never mutated. Reverting a base override removes the database row; only then does the reference definition become active again.

This prevents a base item from being simultaneously resolved from the file and the database.

## Restart behaviour

Resource/server startup is read-only for item definitions. Existing rows in `nord_inventory_custom_items` are never replaced, disabled, deleted, or reseeded from the Lua reference files during boot. Disabled DB rows still own their names and block reference fallback.