Some file collections use a predictable address structure: the host and path stay the same while a number changes. If you already know that pattern, Simple Mass Downloader can generate a list for review instead of making you type every URL separately.
The generator expands a known pattern. It does not discover unknown filenames, verify that every generated address exists, or grant access to files that are restricted.
Verify the address structure first
Open two or three legitimate file URLs from the collection. Compare the changing portion carefully: the difference may be a file number, a directory, a date or a query parameter.
Check whether numbers use zero padding. photo-1.jpg and photo-001.jpg are different addresses. Also verify capitalization, suffix and the range’s endpoints.
Use this feature for resources you own or are authorized to access. A predictable path is not permission to enumerate private files.
Generate a numbered range
The following pattern illustrates twenty numbered image addresses:
https://example.com/images/photo-[001:020].jpg
The leading zeros preserve the three-digit structure. The intended first and last addresses are:
https://example.com/images/photo-001.jpg
https://example.com/images/photo-020.jpg
The example.com domain is reserved for documentation. Replace it with a real, authorized source and inspect the generated preview before using the list.
A common mistake is setting the last number one too high or omitting padding. Check both endpoints and a middle value rather than reviewing only the first row.
Use steps and enumerated values
A step can generate every second number:
https://example.com/files/report-[01:09:2].pdf
The expected numeric values are 01, 03, 05, 07 and 09. Confirm that those correspond to the files you actually need; skipping numbers may omit real resources.
An enumeration can represent a known set of alternatives:
https://example.com/assets/{red,green,blue}.png
Alphabetic ranges and combinations are also supported. When combining patterns, inspect the total count carefully: several ranges can multiply into a much larger collection than intended.
Preview, filter and test the generated list
Generation creates candidates, not confirmed successful downloads. Review the count, scan for malformed paths and try a small subset.
A server may return an error page with an HTTP success response, or redirect unavailable files to a generic landing page. Check the saved file contents as well as the visible extension.
Temporary links can also make a pattern unsuitable. If the address includes a signature or token bound to a specific resource, changing only the number may invalidate it. Obtain legitimate file links from the source rather than attempting to guess valid tokens.
Split large ranges before downloading
The URL Pattern generator allows up to 10,000 generated addresses, but the result collection is capped at 5,000 resources. Do not plan a 10,000-file download as one collected batch. Split the range into smaller, clearly bounded groups and confirm the retained count.
ZIP has separate file-count and input-size limits. Large numbered collections often fit standard downloads better than one giant archive. Review the save-mode comparison before choosing.
For sources with request limits, reduce simultaneous transfers and space requests appropriately. Gentle mode can reduce pressure; it does not bypass site restrictions or guarantee that a server will accept the batch.
Use a list when the pattern becomes fragile
A manually verified TXT or CSV list is preferable when filenames have gaps, exceptions or different access tokens. It is easier to audit an explicit list than a complicated expression that produces many nonexistent addresses.
The URL-list guide covers import validation and optional naming metadata. Once candidates are correct, add readable filename rules so the saved collection remains understandable.
If many generated addresses fail, stop and recheck the pattern. Repeated retries will not repair an incorrect path or create files that do not exist.
