GitDown

GitDown: turn a GitHub link into a download

GitDown is a client-side utility for grabbing a public GitHub file or directory as a zip, then sharing that exact download as a link someone else can use. Paste a GitHub URL, choose your download, and move on with your day (because downloading three files should not feel like filing taxes). Source code and releases live on GitHub: taylorsegell/TheGitDown.

Challenge

GitHub makes it easy to browse a repository, but pulling down one useful directory is still more ceremony than it needs to be. GitDown set out to:

1. Download a public file or nested directory without cloning an entire repository
2. Preserve sensible zip names and root-folder behavior
3. Generate shareable links that carry the selected GitHub URL and download settings
4. Keep the whole experience client-side, with no account or service sitting in the middle
5. Bring the same utility into the browser through a companion extension

Solution

GitDown treats a public GitHub URL as the starting point, not an obstacle. The web app parses the URL, resolves the branch when necessary, walks a directory through GitHub's Contents API, and builds a zip in the browser.

For whole repositories, it uses GitHub's archive download rather than rebuilding a wheel GitHub already ships. For files and subdirectories, it fetches the needed blobs and packages only what the user asked for. Simple rule: take the shortest path that still does the job.

Implementation

How the pieces fit together:

1. URL parsing: Shared core logic recognizes GitHub repository, file, and directory URLs, then extracts the owner, repository, ref, and path.
2. Reference resolution: When a URL does not name a branch, GitDown checks the repository's configured default branch instead of assuming main or master.
3. Selective download: Directory requests recurse through GitHub's Contents API, fetch file blobs, and assemble a zip with JSZip.
4. Browser-first delivery: The site saves completed archives in the browser, while the extension hands download URLs to chrome.downloads.
5. Shareable state: Hash-route query parameters preserve the source URL, file name, and root-directory preference in a reusable #/home link.

Key features

Download the part you need

• Paste a public GitHub file or directory URL
• Receive a zip containing the selected path rather than the whole repository
• Download complete repositories through GitHub's native archive endpoint

Shareable download links

• Generate links that retain the GitHub URL and download options
• Control the archive name with fileName
• Choose whether the selected directory becomes the zip root with rootDirectory

Progress and practical failure handling

• Track downloaded files while a directory is being processed
• Resolve default branches through the Repos API
• Surface rate-limit and download errors clearly when GitHub says no

Companion browser extension

• Download from the current GitHub tab through the toolbar popup
• Right-click a GitHub link and choose Download with GitDown
• Keep extension-only browser APIs separate from the shared download core

Results

GitDown turns a familiar annoyance into a small, direct workflow:

• Visitors get a zip from the GitHub path they actually care about
• Sharers get a durable deep link instead of a multi-step explanation
• Maintainers get an open-source React and TypeScript codebase with the web app, browser extension, and download logic clearly separated

Try it

Repository: clone or fork GitDown on GitHub, follow the README for setup, and point it at your own public GitHub URLs.

Live example: GitDown is available at gitdown.xyz.

GitDown stays deliberately small: public GitHub URLs in, useful downloads out. Keep it handy and let the repo do the talking.