---
title: How to Customize What Goes Into Your Download ZIP
description: "Control what goes into a WordPress plugin or theme download ZIP: include the main folder or not, and add the version number."
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-dashboard-downloads/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
tags:
  - Download Plugins and Themes from Dashboard
---

# How to Customize What Goes Into Your Download ZIP

To control your download ZIP, go to WPFactory > Download plugins and Themes and use the Directory and Version sections. Add plugin directory and Add theme directory keep or drop the main folder, and Append plugin version and Append theme version add the version to the filename. These settings are free in Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard.

### Where the settings are

Go to **WPFactory > Download plugins and Themes** in your WordPress admin. The options below are in the **Directory** and **Version** sections at the top of the page.

![Directory and Version settings for Download Plugins and Themes](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Directory.png)

### Directory options

**Add plugin directory** and **Add theme directory** decide whether the top-level folder is kept inside the ZIP.

- Set to **Yes** (the default) to include the main folder, so the ZIP unzips to `my-plugin/...`, ready to re-install.
- Set to **No** to store the inner files only, without the wrapping folder.

### Version options

**Append plugin version** and **Append theme version** add the version number to the ZIP filename, which is handy for keeping track of releases.

- With **Append plugin version** set to **Yes**, a download becomes `my-plugin.2.1.0.zip` instead of `my-plugin.zip`.
- **Version separator character** sets the single character placed between the name and the version. The default is a dot (`.`), so `my-plugin` at version `2.1.0` becomes `my-plugin.2.1.0.zip`.

### Options reference

| Label | Option key | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Add plugin directory | `alg_download_plugins_dashboard_plugins_add_main_dir` | Yes / No | Yes | Free |
| Add theme directory | `alg_download_plugins_dashboard_themes_add_main_dir` | Yes / No | Yes | Free |
| Append plugin version | `alg_download_plugins_dashboard_plugins_append_version` | Yes / No | No | Free |
| Append theme version | `alg_download_plugins_dashboard_themes_append_version` | Yes / No | No | Free |
| Version separator character | `alg_download_plugins_dashboard_version_separator_char` | Text (1 character) | `.` | Free |

Click **Save settings** after changing anything. Settings apply to future downloads only.

### Get more from Download Plugins and Themes

These packaging options are free. [Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard/) Pro adds scheduled downloads, date and time in the filename, and bulk selected downloads. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard/).

Related articles

- [How to Customize the Download ZIP Link on the Plugins Page](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-download-zip-link/)
- [How to Download a Single Plugin or Theme as a ZIP](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-single-plugin-or-theme/)
- [How to Bulk Download Selected Plugins as a ZIP](https://wpfactory.com/docs/bulk-download-selected-plugins/)
- [How to Auto-Delete ZIP Files After Download](https://wpfactory.com/docs/auto-delete-zip-after-download/)
- [Bulk Download Plugins and Adding the Version to the ZIP Name](https://wpfactory.com/docs/bulk-download-plugins-themes/)

 

[![Download Plugins and Themes from WordPress Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Download-Plugins-and-Themes-from-Dashboard.webp)](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard-wordpress-plugin/)