Simplified file downloads for your Electron app

• One function call instead of having to manually implement a lot of boilerplate.
• Saves the file to the users Downloads directory instead of prompting.
• Bounces the Downloads directory in the dock when done. (macOS)
• Handles multiple downloads.
• Shows badge count (macOS & Linux only) and download progress. Example on macOS:

$ npm install electron-dl

This is probably what you want for your app.

const {app, BrowserWindow} = require('electron');
const electronDl = require('electron-dl');

electronDl();

let win;
(async () => {
	await app.whenReady();
	win = new BrowserWindow();
})();

This can be useful if you need download functionality in a reusable module.

const {BrowserWindow, ipcMain} = require('electron');
const {download} = require('electron-dl');

ipcMain.on('download-button', async (event, {url}) => {
 	const win = BrowserWindow.getFocusedWindow();
 	console.log(await download(win, url));
});

It can only be used in the main process.

Type: BrowserWindow

Window to register the behavior on.

Type: string

URL to download.

Type: Object

Type: boolean
Default: false

Show a Save As… dialog instead of downloading immediately.

Note: Only use this option when strictly necessary. Downloading directly without a prompt is a much better user experience.

Type: string
Default: User's downloads directory

Directory to save the file in.

Type: string
Default: downloadItem.getFilename()

Name of the saved file.

This option only makes sense for electronDl.download().

Type: string
Default: Download Error

Title of the error dialog. Can be customized for localization.

Type: string
Default: The download of {filename} was interrupted

Message of the error dialog. {filename} is replaced with the name of the actual file. Can be customized for localization.

Type: Function

Optional callback that receives the download item. You can use this for advanced handling such as canceling the item like item.cancel().

Type: Function

Optional callback that receives a number between 0 and 1 representing the progress of the current download.

Type: Function

Optional callback that receives the download item for which the download has been cancelled.

Type: boolean
Default: false

Reveal the downloaded file in the system file manager, and if possible, select the file.

Type: boolean
Default: true

Shows the file count badge on macOS/Linux dock icons when download is in progress.

After making changes, run the automated tests:

$ npm test

And before submitting a pull request, run the manual tests to manually verify that everything works:

npm start

• electron-debug - Adds useful debug features to your Electron app
• electron-context-menu - Context menu for your Electron app
• electron-store - Save and load data like user preferences, app state, cache, etc
• electron-unhandled - Catch unhandled errors and promise rejections in your Electron app

MIT © Sindre Sorhus