How to Install Plugins from GitHub Releases
If you’ve been sent a link to a plugin’s Releases page, you are looking at the stable, ready-to-use versions of the software. Follow these steps to get the plugin running on your site.
1. Download the Plugin File
- Click on the Releases link of the GitHub repository.
- Find the version marked as Latest (usually at the top).
- Under the Assets section for that release, click the file ending in
.zip. - Important: Do not unzip the file on your computer. WordPress needs the file to remain in its
.zipformat to install correctly.
2. Upload to WordPress
- Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
- Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the screen.
- Click Choose File and select the
.zipfile you just downloaded. - Click Install Now.
3. Activate and Use
- Once the installation finishes, click the blue Activate Plugin button.
- Your plugin is now active! You can manage it from the main Plugins list.
Quick Troubleshooting Tips
- “Folder already exists”: If you are updating an existing version, WordPress will ask if you want to “Replace current with uploaded.” Click Yes to update.
- “The package could not be installed”: Ensure you downloaded the zip from the Assets section, not the “Source Code” link, as source code files sometimes require extra technical setup.
- Updates: Since these plugins aren’t on the official WordPress directory, they won’t always alert you to updates. Check back on the Releases page periodically for new versions.