Private PDF library for WordPress
Share private PDFs with the right people
Sherpa Private Documents gives members, staff and clients one place to find the PDFs they are authorised to access. Choose which WordPress roles can view your library, upload your documents and display them on a page of your website. Users must sign in to download.
A shared library with controlled access
Member reports, board papers, staff policies and client resources often need a different approach from public website downloads. Sherpa Private Documents stores PDFs outside the public website folders and checks the user’s access before serving a download.
Each selected role can view every published document in the library. Draft and trashed documents stay unavailable to readers, while document managers can organise and update the files from the WordPress dashboard.
Choose who can view
Select the WordPress roles that can access the shared library. Viewing documents does not give users permission to upload or manage them.
Private PDF storage
Keep files outside public website folders. Uploads and downloads stay blocked until private storage passes the plugin’s path checks.
Simple document management
Give each PDF a clear name and description. See file details, replace documents and choose whether each item is a draft or published.
A library on your website
Add the document library to an existing page with a shortcode, or create a draft library page from the plugin’s setup screen.
Optional password confirmation
Ask readers to confirm their WordPress account password before downloading. Turn this off for passwordless or single sign-on accounts.
Download activity
Optionally record download starts and denied access. Review activity by user and document without recording passwords or IP addresses.
How it works
- Prepare private storage. Follow the guided setup. Where automatic setup is available, your hosting provider must confirm that the storage location is not publicly accessible.
- Choose viewing roles. Decide which groups of WordPress users can access the library. Administrators manage documents by default.
- Upload and publish PDFs. Add a name, a short description and a PDF. Publish it when it is ready for authorised readers.
- Add your library page. Choose an existing page or create a draft, then let users sign in to find and download the documents.
Built for members, teams and clients
A practical fit for associations, boards, community groups and organisations sharing internal documents. It uses your existing WordPress accounts and roles, so you can manage the library alongside the rest of your website.
A clear setup path
The plugin explains what to do next: prepare storage, choose access and add the library to a page. If your hosting environment needs assistance, a copyable request gives your hosting provider the information needed to help.
Preparing for WordPress.org
Sherpa Private Documents is being prepared for the official WordPress Plugin Directory. Version 2.1.0 is undergoing final staging and compatibility checks. The directory download link will be added here once the plugin is approved.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give each user different documents?
This release provides one shared library. Every selected viewing role can access every published PDF. Individual user document assignments and separate document groups are not included.
What does my hosting need to support?
Your website needs a writable storage directory outside every public web directory, with no public exposure through other domains or aliases. Guided setup can help create it on suitable hosting, but your provider may need to configure or confirm the location. The library page and download requests must also be excluded from page and CDN caching.
Can I upload files other than PDFs?
Sherpa Private Documents currently supports PDFs only. Uploads are limited to 20 MB per file, or your hosting upload limit if that is lower.
Can readers share a PDF after downloading it?
Readers receive a downloadable PDF. The plugin controls access to downloads on your website; it does not prevent an authorised reader from sharing a downloaded copy or encrypt files at rest.
Will the original Shareholder Documents installation still work?
Existing document records, descriptions, shareholder access settings and the Please sign in with an account authorised to view these documents.
How is this different from Managed Documents?
Sherpa Managed Documents keeps public document URLs stable when files are replaced. Sherpa Private Documents is designed for a shared PDF library that authorised users must sign in to access.
Plugin details
- Current development version: 2.1.0
- Requires WordPress 6.4 or later and PHP 8.0 or later
- One shared PDF library for selected WordPress roles
- Optional account password confirmation and local download activity
- Existing shareholder document records and shortcodes supported
- Developed and maintained by Sherpa Digital
Need help deciding whether Sherpa Private Documents suits your website? Contact Sherpa Digital.