WPBay allows theme sellers to upload an optional Companion Plugins ZIP alongside a theme product. This keeps the marketplace rule clean: plugins must not be bundled inside the theme ZIP, but sellers can still provide required or recommended plugins professionally.

What This Feature Solves

Some WordPress themes need extra plugins for demos, custom blocks, widgets, importers, or theme-specific functionality. Instead of placing those plugins inside the theme ZIP, sellers can upload them as a separate file.

This keeps the theme package clean, easier to review, and safer for buyers.

Seller Workflow

When uploading or editing a theme product, sellers can add:

• Main theme ZIP
• Optional Companion Plugins ZIP
• Documentation URL or documentation ZIP

The Companion Plugins ZIP is only available for theme products. It is not shown for plugins, scripts, or services.

Sellers can also replace or remove the Companion Plugins ZIP when editing the product.

Important Packaging Rule

Sellers should not include plugins inside the main theme ZIP.

Correct structure:

theme-product.zip
companion-plugins.zip
documentation.zip or documentation URL

Incorrect structure:

theme-product.zip
  /theme-folder
  /plugins/plugin-one.zip
  /plugins/plugin-two.zip

If plugins are detected inside the theme ZIP, the upload/review can be blocked.

Review Process

Reviewers can download the Companion Plugins ZIP from the pending product review screen using the short Plugins button.

This lets reviewers inspect the theme package and companion plugins separately before approval.

Buyer Experience

After purchase, buyers see the companion plugins inside the same theme download listing.

The order download area shows:

Download theme
Download companion plugins
View docs / Download docs

The Companion Plugins ZIP is not shown as a separate product row. It is grouped with the purchased theme so the order page stays clean and understandable.

Updates and Removal

When a seller updates the Companion Plugins ZIP:

• The old companion ZIP is replaced.
• Existing completed buyers keep access to the updated companion download.
• The download button remains grouped under the theme listing.

When a seller removes the Companion Plugins ZIP:

• The file and related metadata are removed.
• Existing companion download permissions are revoked.
• Buyers no longer see the companion plugins button.

Security Rules

The Companion Plugins ZIP is validated before storage.

WPBay checks that:

• The file is a .zip.
• The file size is within the allowed limit.
• ZIP paths are safe.
• Dangerous file types are blocked.
• The archive does not expand beyond the allowed size.
• The package can be opened and inspected.

This helps prevent unsafe uploads and protects buyers, reviewers, and the marketplace.

Best Practice for Sellers

Use the Companion Plugins ZIP only for plugins that are genuinely needed or strongly recommended for the theme.

Recommended contents:

companion-plugins.zip
  plugin-one.zip
  plugin-two.zip

or:

companion-plugins.zip
  plugin-one/
  plugin-two/

Do not include unrelated plugins, premium third-party plugins without redistribution rights, or plugins that require separate licensing unless this is clearly explained in the product documentation.

Summary

The Companion Plugins ZIP feature gives theme sellers a simple professional way to provide plugin dependencies without violating the marketplace packaging rule. Themes stay clean, reviewers can inspect files separately, and buyers get everything they need from one organized download area.