ForExampleZERO / ir-downloader

What is ir-downloader?

IR-Downloader is a GitHub Actions-based tool that downloads files from direct HTTP/HTTPS links and stores them permanently in your GitHub repository. Instead of relying on temporary Artifacts that expire after 90 days, files are committed directly to your repo and available for download anytime via the "Download ZIP" button. The tool automatically categorizes files into video, audio, image, document, or other folders, optionally encrypts them with 7-Zip, and splits large files into 90MB chunks to work around GitHub's file size limits. It handles files up to 30GB and includes retry logic for failed downloads.

Why is it gaining traction?

The hook here is bypassing GitHub's storage limitations while avoiding VPN costs. Developers can download files directly to their repo without temporary storage expiration. The retry mechanism (up to 10 attempts) and automatic file chunking make it surprisingly robust for large files. The workflow-based interface means no CLI knowledge is required—just paste a direct link, click "Run workflow," and grab the ZIP when it's done.

Who should use this?

This is specifically useful for developers in regions with restricted internet access who want to store large files on GitHub without VPN bandwidth costs. It's also handy for anyone needing permanent file hosting with GitHub's reliability rather than third-party services. If you need simple, permanent file storage attached to a repo without setting up your own server, this fills that gap.

Verdict

A clever workaround for GitHub's file size constraints, but with a 0.5% credibility score and only 19 stars, this is early-stage and community-supported. The documentation is clear and the workflow is user-friendly, but there's no indication of test coverage or active maintenance. Use it for non-critical storage needs, but verify the repo is actively maintained before depending on it for anything important.