Link Templates

Overview

Link templates control how download packages appear when embedded in pages using shortcodes. They define the button style, layout, and information displayed alongside the download link. WPDM includes 23+ built-in link templates.

Prerequisites

• WordPress Download Manager installed
• At least one published package
• Understanding of shortcodes

Quick Start

Use a link template with the shortcode:

[wpdm_package id="123" template="link-template-developer"]

Or set the default template at Downloads > Settings > User Interface.

Available Link Templates

Basic Templates

Button Styles

Compact Templates

Icon-Based Templates

Minimal Templates

Using Link Templates

With Shortcode

Specify template in the shortcode:

[wpdm_package id="123" template="link-template-developer"]

Default Template

Set the default at Downloads > Settings > User Interface:

• Find Default Link Template dropdown
• Select your preferred template
• Save changes

All shortcodes without explicit template use this default.

Per-Package Template

Set template for specific package:

• Edit the package
• Go to Package Settings > General
• Select Template
• Save package

Template Comparison

link-template-default

The simplest template:

• Download button only
• No additional information
• Minimal footprint

Output:
┌─────────────────┐
│    Download     │
└─────────────────┘

Best for: Inline mentions, minimal space

link-template-developer

Detailed developer-focused view:

• Package title
• Version number
• File size
• Download count
• Download button

Output:
┌───────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 📦 Package Name                       │
│ Version: 2.1.0 | Size: 5.2 MB         │
│ Downloads: 1,234                      │
│ [Download]                            │
└───────────────────────────────────────┘

Best for: Software downloads, technical content

link-template-flavor

Visual card with image:

• Featured image/icon
• Package title
• Short description
• Download button

Output:
┌───────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ┌──────┐                             │
│  │ IMG  │  Package Name               │
│  └──────┘  Short description here...  │
│            [Download]                 │
└───────────────────────────────────────┘

Best for: Visual showcases, product listings

link-template-flavor-developer

Combines flavor and developer styles:

• Image thumbnail
• Title and description
• Version, size, downloads
• Download button

Best for: Complete package presentation

Template Elements

Each template may include:

Customizing Display

CSS Styling

Each template has specific CSS classes. Add custom styles in:

• Theme’s style.css
• Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS
• Custom CSS plugin

Example:

/* Style the developer template */
.wpdm-link-template-developer {
    border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
    border-radius: 8px;
    padding: 20px;
}

.wpdm-link-template-developer .wpdm-download-link {
    background: #4f46e5;
    color: white;
}

Template-Specific Classes

Viewing Available Templates

In Admin

• Go to Downloads > Templates
• Click Link Templates tab
• Browse all templates with previews

Template Files Location

Built-in templates:

/wp-content/plugins/download-manager/src/Package/views/link-templates/

Theme overrides:

/wp-content/themes/your-theme/download-manager/

Selecting the Right Template

Template Output Examples

In Content

Download the latest version of our app:
[wpdm_package id="123" template="link-template-default"]

In Grid

    [wpdm_package id="123" template="link-template-flavor"]
    [wpdm_package id="124" template="link-template-flavor"]
    [wpdm_package id="125" template="link-template-flavor"]

Troubleshooting

Template Not Found

Cause: Typo in template name

Solution:

• Check spelling exactly
• Use template name without .php
• Verify template exists at Downloads > Templates

Styling Issues

Cause: Theme CSS conflicts

Solution:

• Inspect with browser developer tools
• Add more specific CSS selectors
• Use !important if necessary

Template Not Changing

Cause: Cache or per-package override

Solution:

• Clear caching plugins
• Check package-level template setting
• Verify shortcode has correct template param

Related Documentation

• Page Templates
• Creating Custom Templates
• Template Tags Reference
• [[wpdm_package] Shortcode](/doc/shortcodes/wpdm-package/)

Last updated: January 2026
Applies to: WordPress Download Manager 7.x