---
title: "Settings Reference: Every Option in Download Plugins and Themes"
description: Every setting in Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard with its label, option key, type, default, and free or Pro.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-plugins-themes-settings-reference/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: References
---

# Settings Reference: Every Option in Download Plugins and Themes

This settings reference lists every option in [Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard/), with each option's admin label, stored option key, type, default value and whether it is free or Pro. Use it as a lookup when configuring Download Plugins and Themes or when reading the values from code.

All settings live at **WPFactory > Download plugins and Themes**. A **Settings** link on the **Plugins** screen (under this plugin) opens the same page. Every option is stored in the database with the prefix `alg_download_plugins_dashboard_`, so the field id `plugins_add_main_dir` is stored as `alg_download_plugins_dashboard_plugins_add_main_dir`.

![Advanced Settings section of the Download Plugins and Themes settings page](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Advanced-Settings.png)

### Directory

| Label | Option key (without prefix) | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Add plugin directory | `plugins_add_main_dir` | Yes / No | Yes | Free |
| Add theme directory | `themes_add_main_dir` | Yes / No | Yes | Free |

### Version

| Label | Option key (without prefix) | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Append plugin version | `plugins_append_version` | Yes / No | No | Free |
| Append theme version | `themes_append_version` | Yes / No | No | Free |
| Version separator character | `version_separator_char` | Text (1 character) | `.` | Free |

### Tools

The Tools section holds the two free **Download all** buttons rather than saved options. The buttons trigger the `alg_download_plugin_all` and `alg_download_theme_all` download actions. This section also shows your current WordPress memory limits, which matter for large sites.

### Advanced Settings

| Label | Option key (without prefix) | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ZIP library | `zip_library` | Select: ZipArchive / PclZip | ZipArchive (if available, otherwise PclZip) | Free |
| Temporary directory | `temp_dir` | Text | Empty (system temp directory) | Free |
| Auto Delete ZIP files | `delete_zip` | Yes / No | No | Pro |

### Download plugin link (Pro)

These options style the per-plugin download link on the Plugins screen. They are Pro only.

| Label | Option key (without prefix) | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Use custom color | `download_plugin_btn_use_custom_color` | Yes / No | No | Pro |
| Custom color | `download_plugin_btn_color` | Color | `#2271b1` | Pro |
| Font weight | `download_plugin_btn_font_weight` | Text | `400` | Pro |
| Text | `download_plugin_btn_text` | Text | Download ZIP | Pro |

### Periodical Downloads (Pro)

These options drive scheduled downloads. They are Pro only. For a walkthrough, see [How to schedule automatic plugin and theme downloads](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-plugins-and-themes/).

| Label | Option key (without prefix) | Type | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Periodical plugins downloads | `plugins_bulk_period` | Select (interval) | Do not download | Pro |
| Periodical themes downloads | `themes_bulk_period` | Select (interval) | Do not download | Pro |
| Plugins downloads path | `plugins_bulk_dir` | Text | `uploads/plugins-archive` | Pro |
| Themes downloads path | `themes_bulk_dir` | Text | `uploads/themes-archive` | Pro |
| Append plugin date & time | `plugins_append_date_time` | Yes / No | No | Pro |
| Append theme date & time | `themes_append_date_time` | Yes / No | No | Pro |
| Plugins output file(s) | `plugins_output_files` | Select: each / all / both | Each plugin's zip | Pro |
| Themes output file(s) | `themes_output_files` | Select: each / all / both | Each theme's zip | Pro |
| Plugins single ZIP file name | `plugins_single_zip_file_name` | Text | `plugins` | Pro |
| Themes single ZIP file name | `themes_single_zip_file_name` | Text | `themes` | Pro |

**Note:** the period options for periodical downloads are: Do not download, once a minute, hourly, twice daily, daily, weekly, and every 4 weeks.

### Get the Pro options

The Directory, Version, Tools, ZIP library and Temporary directory settings are free. The Download plugin link styling, Auto Delete ZIP files and Periodical Downloads options are unlocked by [Download Plugins and Themes in ZIP from Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard/) Pro. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/download-plugins-and-themes-from-dashboard/).

Related articles

- [Download Plugins and Themes: Developer Hooks and Filters Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-plugins-from-dashboard-developer-hooks-filters/)
- [Using Download Plugins and Themes on a WordPress Multisite Network](https://wpfactory.com/docs/plugin-not-working-on-wordpress-multisite-network/)
- [Download ZIP Link Not Showing on the Plugins or Themes Screen](https://wpfactory.com/docs/download-zip-button-not-showing/)
- [Getting Started: Download WordPress Plugins and Themes From Your Dashboard](https://wpfactory.com/docs/start/)
- [Download Plugins and Themes: Free vs Pro Versions Compared](https://wpfactory.com/docs/pro-vs-free-comparisons/)