Dependencies
A dependency declares that this download requires another download (or an external resource) to work. Dependencies surface on the download view page so visitors know what to grab first.
Two kinds of dependency
| Type | What it points at |
|---|---|
| Internal | Another download on the same site. The link auto-resolves to the target's title and view URL. |
| External | A free-form label and URL pointing anywhere off-site. Useful for engines, runtimes, frameworks, or upstream projects. |
Both types live in the same list and render in registration order on the download view page.
Enabling dependencies on a category
Dependencies are on per category by default. An admin can disable them at AdminCP > [MC] Downloads Manager > Categories > (category) > Dependencies enabled.
When the toggle is off, the dependency editor and the public dependency block are hidden for downloads in that category.
Adding dependencies
From the download edit page, switch to the Dependencies tab.
For an internal dependency:
- Click Add internal.
- Search by title in the picker. Only downloads visible to you appear.
- Optionally add a note. Notes show under the dependency on the public view.
For an external dependency:
- Click Add external.
- Enter a label (the visible text), a URL, and an optional note.
Save the form. The new rows appear immediately on the download view page.
Re-ordering and removing
Drag rows to re-order them. The order on the edit form is the order visitors see.
Click the trash icon to remove a row. Removal takes effect on save.
What viewers see
The download view page shows a Dependencies block listing each entry:
- Internal dependencies render as a link to the target download with its current title and icon.
- External dependencies render as a link to the URL with the label you set.
- Notes render below each entry.
If a target download is later deleted or moved out of the visitor's view scope, the row is omitted from the public list. The internal link is still stored and reappears if the target becomes viewable again.
Audit log
Saves to the dependency list are recorded in the audit log under the download's row.
Permissions
| Permission | Effect |
|---|---|
| Manage dependencies | Required to add, edit, remove, or reorder dependencies on a download you can edit. |
Co-owners with the Edit team flag also need this permission to manage dependencies.