Download the release archive and extract it into your installation. The src/addons/MC/DownloadsManager/ directory should sit alongside the other add-ons.
Navigate to AdminCP > Add-ons and click Install next to [MC] Downloads Manager. The add-on creates its own database tables and registers a route filter so /downloads/ resolves to the add-on.
The install seeds the default options, registers the permission groups (Downloads, Downloads moderator, Comments, Comments moderator, Reviews, Reviews moderator), creates an example category (id 1, "Example category"), grants the default permissions for each user group by mirroring matching forum and general permissions, and seeds six default widgets across the overview and category-sidenav positions.
Default category — id 1, "Example category", accept_new_downloads enabled. Rename or delete it after install.
Default permissions — the install mirrors permissions you already grant on forum / general (e.g. anyone who has forum.viewAttachment gets mcDownloads.download, anyone who has forum.postThread gets mcDownloads.create). Privileged toggles (bypassRateLimit, canSetPassword, etc.) and integer caps (e.g. bandwidthCapKBs) are not seeded — admins set those deliberately. A XF:PermissionRebuild job is auto-queued so the new grants take effect.
Default widgets — Featured downloads (carousel, contextual) above overview/category lists; Top downloads, Trending downloads, Recent reviews, Statistics in overview/category sidenav; New downloads in the core "What's new" overview.
Upgrades never re-seed — these defaults only apply on a fresh install. Existing installs stay untouched.
Visit AdminCP > [MC] Downloads Manager > Categories. Edit or rename the example category, or create new ones. See creating a category.
Navigate to AdminCP > Groups & permissions > Permissions and verify the default grants. Adjust per-group as needed. See permissions.
If you want auto-created discussion threads, edit each category and set Thread mode to "Optional" or "Required" with a forum chosen. See comments and threads.
Optionally remove branding under AdminCP > Setup > Options > [MC] Downloads Manager > General. See General options.