GitHub Smart Downloader

Download GitHub repositories, folders, or selected files as ZIP archives directly from your browser.

GitHub Smart Downloader pulls any GitHub repository, folder, or hand-picked files into a ZIP without cloning. No terminal commands, no backend proxy, and no waiting for git to copy half a gigabyte of node_modules you'll never read. What it does • Download folders & subdirectories: Grab just the folder or component you need directly from GitHub's tree view as a standalone ZIP. • Selective file bundling: Tick checkboxes next to specific files and folders to bundle them into a single clean ZIP, with directory structure preserved. • Inline file sizes: See file and folder sizes displayed directly in GitHub’s file table before you download anything. • Direct raw file downloads: 1-click download any single file instantly without ZIP wrapping, right from the table row or context menu. • Full branch & tag navigator: Switch branches and release tags in milliseconds with type-ahead search right inside the popup—zero page reloads. • Auto-skip node_modules forever: Built-in exclusion presets for Node.js, Python (.venv), Java/Maven, and build directories (`dist`, `build`). Custom packs are one click away. • Live progress & cancel: Monitor download byte throughput, file counts, and status in real-time toasts. Abort large downloads anytime mid-flight. Why it stays out of your way • Native GitHub integration: Seamlessly blends into GitHub's UI. No annoying popups or page-blocking modals. Light and dark modes follow your GitHub theme. • Intelligent client-side engine: Runs entirely in your browser using Chrome offscreen compression. Zero files or tokens ever touch a third-party server. • Shared archive caching: Downloading multiple folders from the same repo only fetches the tree once, saving your bandwidth and API quota. • Secure token storage: Add an optional Personal Access Token (PAT) to boost your rate limit from 60 to 5,000 requests/hr. Your token is encrypted with AES-GCM before entering Chrome storage and never leaves your machine. Open source (MIT) and 100% self-contained. No telemetry, no backend servers, no tracking, no accounts. How to use it 1. Open any GitHub repository. 2. Select a branch, or tick checkboxes next to the files and folders you want. 3. Click "Download Selected" or use the toolbar popup. Get your ZIP instantly.