Uploading Releases
Where releases are stored#
Release ZIPs are stored on your WordPress server in wp-content/uploads/lc-releases/. License Cart writes an .htaccess (Apache) and web.config (IIS) into that folder so the files cannot be downloaded directly. They are only ever served through signed, five-minute download links handed out by the update API and the customer portal.
On nginx the .htaccess file has no effect. Add a location rule that denies direct access to /wp-content/uploads/lc-releases/ (see Common Issues). Without it anyone who guesses a file name can download your plugin.
Publishing a new version#
- Open License Cart → Updates and choose the product in the dropdown.
- Click + New Release.
- Fill in the form:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Product | Which product this release belongs to. |
| Version | Version string, for example 1.2.0. Must be higher than what customers have installed for an update to be offered. |
| Plugin ZIP File | The installable plugin or theme ZIP. Only .zip files that are real ZIP archives are accepted; the default size limit is 100 MB. |
| Requires PHP | Minimum PHP version passed to WordPress. Default 7.4. |
| Requires WordPress | Minimum WordPress version passed to WordPress. Default 5.8. |
| Changelog | Release notes shown in the WordPress “View version details” dialog on customer sites. |
- Click Upload & Publish. A progress bar shows the upload; the release appears in the table with its storage path and a Copy path button.
The newest active release (by release date) for a product is the one offered to customers. Uploading a new version makes it available immediately to every active license on its next update check.
Removing a release#
Delete removes the release record. The customer portal and update checks then fall back to the next-newest active release, or report “No updates available” if none remains.