Install and Updates

Installation is a standard Joomla plugin upload. Updates use the public extension feed or a manual ZIP install. Database scripts run when the manifest version increases. Uninstall removes the RCA ledger table; it does not remove J2Commerce products or orders created while the plugin was active.

Install the plugin

Download plg_content_rca_j2c_directdownload from https://recreatinganew.com. Log in as a Super User. Open System → Install → Extensions, upload the ZIP, and wait for the success message. The content plugin enables automatically on a fresh install.

Open System → Plugins and confirm Content - RCA J2C Direct Download is enabled. Open the plugin options once and read the shortcode note at the top. It repeats which tag is for direct download and which tags are for cart checkout through J2Commerce.

Post-install checks

Confirm J2Commerce is present. If the post-install message says the J2Commerce store component path is missing, install or repair J2Commerce before you expect downloads to work. This check mirrors the same guard used in RCA J2C Downloadable Files Sync so you are not surprised later on a half-installed shop.

Confirm the plugin media assets register on a content page. A raw browser-default button often means Web Asset Manager registrations were stripped by the template, not that the plugin failed to install.

Upgrade an existing install

Install the newer ZIP through System → Install → Extensions, or accept the update when Joomla Update offers a version from the public feed. Database update scripts run automatically when the manifest version increases. After upgrade, re-open plugin options in case new toggles appeared, then smoke-test one known-good shortcode on the front end.

If Joomla Update reports a checksum failure, confirm https://recreatinganew.com serves the ZIP version listed in the feed and that the feed SHA256 matches that file. Retry after the site owner confirms the live copy and feed were deployed together.

Uninstall and data retention

Uninstalling drops the RCA direct download ledger table created by this plugin. Export ledger data first if you need history after uninstall. Uninstall does not remove J2Commerce products, product files on disk, or J2Commerce orders that were created while order tracking was enabled for logged-in users.

Reinstall after uninstall

You may reinstall from the same ZIP or a newer version. A fresh install recreates the ledger table empty. Shortcodes in articles remain in place; they simply render again once the plugin is enabled and products still qualify.