Generate Artifact Download Links
The Generate artifact download links action creates temporary, signed download links for selected Files. Use the returned URLs in email messages, API requests, or later action steps when a recipient needs to download an email file, form upload, or generated file.
When to Use This Action
Use this action when:
- You need to share a form upload without attaching it directly to a message
- You need a temporary URL for a PDF created earlier in the workflow
- A later API action requires a downloadable file URL
Don't use this action when the destination accepts a direct file attachment. Use Send an Email or a PSA action with a Files section instead.
How It Works
- The action selects files from the public workflow properties you choose.
- It creates a signed URL for each selected file.
- It stores an array of link results in the configured results variable.
- Each link stops working at its expiry time or when the workflow history reaches its purge date, whichever happens first.
Configuration
File Selection
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Files | Add source rows in processing order. No files are selected by default. Sources can include email.attachments, email.inline_images, optional original-email files, input form fields, custom action results, and All Files. |
| Filename | Match filenames with * as a wildcard, such as *.pdf. Leave empty to match every filename. Each source row has this filter. |
| MIME type | Match MIME types with * as a wildcard, such as image/*. Leave empty to match every type. Each source row has this filter. |
| Maximum bytes | Include only files at or below this size. Leave empty to allow any size. Each source row has this filter. |
Use Up and Down to set source order. The action keeps the first occurrence when sources contain the same file. A file must match every populated filter on its source row. To filter every available file, add an All Files source and configure its row filters.
Selecting All Files includes every available file. In an email workflow, it creates and includes email.original_eml_file and email.original_email_as_image along with email attachments and inline images.
Link Settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Link Lifetime | Requested link lifetime in minutes. Minimum: 1. Default: 60. The workflow history purge date can shorten this lifetime. |
Returned Variables
Store the results in a variable to receive an array with one object per selected file.
| Variable | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
filename | string | Filename presented when the recipient downloads the file. |
url | string | Temporary signed download URL. |
expires_at | string | Expiry date and time in ISO 8601 format. |
For a results variable named downloadLinks, reference the first URL as:
If no files match, the action returns an empty array.
FAQs
Can I make a link permanent?
No. The link cannot outlive the workflow history. Send the file to long-term storage if you need retention beyond the history purge date.
What happens after the link expires?
The download request fails. Run the workflow again or generate another link while the artifact still exists.
Related Actions
- Generate PDF: create a PDF file
- Send an Email: attach Files directly to an email
- File Uploads in Forms: collect files from form visitors