diff --git a/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video.svelte b/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video.svelte
index ef4ab864..11f94d02 100644
--- a/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video.svelte
@@ -224,7 +224,6 @@
                             log_lvl: 0
                         });
 
-                        // window.postMessage({ type: 'download_event_file', hosted_file_id: idaa_archive_content_obj.hosted_file_id, filename: idaa_archive_content_obj.filename, auto_download: true }, '*');
                     }}
                     class:hidden={!$ae_loc.edit_mode}
                     class="novi_btn btn btn-sm lg:btn-md preset-tonal-primary hover:preset-filled-primary-500 min-w-72 lg:min-w-96"
diff --git a/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video_li.svelte b/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video_li.svelte
index 5692f766..b0a0fe33 100644
--- a/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video_li.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_clip_video_li.svelte
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@
                     log_lvl: log_lvl
                 });
 
-                // window.postMessage({ type: 'download_event_file', hosted_file_id: idaa_archive_content_obj.hosted_file_id, filename: idaa_archive_content_obj.filename, auto_download: true }, '*');
             }}
             class="novi_btn btn btn-sm lg:btn-md preset-tonal-primary hover:preset-filled-primary-500 min-w-72 lg:min-w-96"
             title={`Download this file:\n${hosted_file_obj.filename}\n[API] SHA256: ${hosted_file_obj?.hash_sha256?.slice(0, 10)}... Hosted ID: ${hosted_file_obj.hosted_file_id}`}
diff --git a/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_download_button.svelte b/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_download_button.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..62f6a795
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_download_button.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+    // *** Import Svelte specific
+    import * as Lucide from 'lucide-svelte';
+
+    // *** Import Aether specific variables and functions
+    import type { key_val } from '$lib/stores/ae_stores';
+    import { ae_util } from '$lib/ae_utils/ae_utils';
+    import { download_ae_obj_id__hosted_file } from '$lib/ae_core/core__hosted_files';
+    import {
+        ae_loc,
+        ae_sess,
+        ae_api
+    } from '$lib/stores/ae_stores';
+
+    interface Props {
+        log_lvl?: number;
+        hosted_file_id: null | string;
+        hosted_file_obj: null | key_val;
+        filename?: null | string;
+        max_length?: number;
+        auto_download?: boolean;
+        linked_to_type?: null | string;
+        linked_to_id?: null | string;
+        download_complete?: null | boolean;
+        download_percent?: number;
+        download_status_msg?: string;
+        classes?: string;
+        label?: import('svelte').Snippet;
+    }
+
+    let {
+        log_lvl = 0,
+        hosted_file_id,
+        hosted_file_obj,
+        filename = $bindable(null),
+        max_length = $bindable(30),
+        auto_download = true,
+        linked_to_type = $bindable(null),
+        linked_to_id = $bindable(null),
+        download_complete = $bindable(),
+        download_percent = $bindable(),
+        download_status_msg = $bindable('Not started'),
+        classes = 'btn btn-sm lg:btn-md preset-tonal-primary border border-primary-500 hover:preset-filled-primary-500 min-w-48',
+        label
+    }: Props = $props();
+
+    $effect(() => {
+        if (log_lvl) {
+            console.log(
+                `ae_comp__hosted_files_download_button.svelte hosted_file_id=${hosted_file_id}`,
+                hosted_file_obj
+            );
+        }
+    });
+
+    let ae_promises: key_val = $state({});
+
+    $effect(() => {
+        const file_id = hosted_file_obj?.id || hosted_file_obj?.hosted_file_id || hosted_file_id;
+        if (file_id && $ae_sess?.api_download_kv[file_id]?.percent_completed) {
+            download_percent =
+                $ae_sess.api_download_kv[file_id].percent_completed;
+        }
+    });
+</script>
+
+{#if hosted_file_id && hosted_file_obj}
+    {@const file_id = hosted_file_obj.id || hosted_file_obj.hosted_file_id || hosted_file_id}
+    <button
+        type="button"
+        disabled={!$ae_loc.trusted_access}
+        class={classes ?? 'btn'}
+        onclick={() => {
+            download_complete = false;
+            download_status_msg = 'Downloading...';
+            ae_promises[file_id] = download_ae_obj_id__hosted_file({
+                    api_cfg: $ae_api,
+                    hosted_file_id: file_id,
+                    return_file: true,
+                    filename: filename ?? hosted_file_obj.filename,
+                    auto_download: auto_download,
+                    log_lvl: log_lvl
+                })
+                .then((result) => {
+                    if (result === null) {
+                        console.log('File not found (404)');
+                        download_complete = null;
+                        download_status_msg = 'File not found';
+                    } else if (result === false) {
+                        console.log(
+                            'Possible error with API server (check network and server status)'
+                        );
+                        download_complete = false;
+                        download_status_msg = 'Failed to download';
+                    } else {
+                        // console.log('File found and downloaded');
+                        download_complete = true;
+                        download_status_msg = 'File downloaded';
+                    }
+                    return result;
+                });
+        }}
+        title={`Download this file:\n${filename ?? hosted_file_obj?.filename}\n[API] SHA256: ${hosted_file_obj?.hash_sha256?.slice(0, 10)}...\nHosted ID: ${file_id}\n Linked to: ${linked_to_type} ID: ${linked_to_id}`}
+    >
+        {#await ae_promises[file_id]}
+            <Lucide.Loader2 class="animate-spin mr-2" size={18} />
+            <span class="">
+                Downloading
+                {#if $ae_sess.api_download_kv[file_id]}
+                    {$ae_sess.api_download_kv[file_id]
+                        .percent_completed}%
+                {/if}
+                :
+            </span>
+        {:then}
+            {#if label}
+                {@render label()}
+            {:else}
+                {@const IconComp = ae_util.file_extension_icon_lucide(hosted_file_obj?.extension)}
+                <IconComp size={18} class="mr-2" />
+                <span class="grow">
+                    {ae_util.shorten_filename({
+                        filename: filename ?? hosted_file_obj?.filename,
+                        max_length: max_length
+                    })}
+                </span>
+            {/if}
+        {/await}
+
+        {#if download_complete === null}
+            <span class="text-red-800 dark:text-red-200 ml-2">File not found</span>
+        {:else if download_complete === false}
+            <span class="text-red-800 dark:text-red-200 ml-2">Failed to download!</span>
+        {/if}
+    </button>
+{:else}
+    <button type="button" disabled class={classes ?? 'btn'} title="No file selected">
+        <Lucide.FileX size={18} class="mr-2" />
+        <span class="grow"> No file info </span>
+    </button>
+{/if}
diff --git a/src/lib/ae_core/core__hosted_files.ts b/src/lib/ae_core/core__hosted_files.ts
index de719244..fcdeb946 100644
--- a/src/lib/ae_core/core__hosted_files.ts
+++ b/src/lib/ae_core/core__hosted_files.ts
@@ -180,6 +180,53 @@ export async function delete_ae_obj_id__hosted_file({
     return result;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Download a hosted file (V3 Action)
+ * Uses the new /v3/action/... standard.
+ * Updated 2026-02-03
+ */
+export async function download_ae_obj_id__hosted_file({
+    api_cfg,
+    hosted_file_id,
+    return_file = true,
+    filename,
+    auto_download = false,
+    params = {},
+    log_lvl = 0
+}: {
+    api_cfg: any;
+    hosted_file_id: string;
+    return_file?: boolean;
+    filename?: string;
+    auto_download?: boolean;
+    params?: key_val;
+    log_lvl?: number;
+}) {
+    if (log_lvl) {
+        console.log(`*** download_ae_obj_id__hosted_file() *** id=${hosted_file_id}`);
+    }
+
+    const task_id = hosted_file_id;
+    const endpoint = `/v3/action/hosted_file/${hosted_file_id}/download`;
+
+    const query_params: key_val = { ...params };
+    if (filename) {
+        query_params['filename'] = filename;
+    }
+    query_params['return_file'] = 'true'; // V3 prefers string 'true' for bool flags in query
+
+    return await api.get_object({
+        api_cfg,
+        endpoint,
+        params: query_params,
+        return_blob: return_file,
+        filename,
+        auto_download,
+        task_id,
+        log_lvl
+    });
+}
+
 export const properties_to_save = [
     'id',
     'hosted_file_id',
diff --git a/src/lib/ae_utils/ae_utils.ts b/src/lib/ae_utils/ae_utils.ts
index 6f241ac4..83c3088a 100644
--- a/src/lib/ae_utils/ae_utils.ts
+++ b/src/lib/ae_utils/ae_utils.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {
 } from './ae_utils__files';
 import { get_obj_li_w_match_prop } from './ae_utils__get_obj_li_w_match_prop';
 import { file_extension_icon } from './ae_utils__file_extension_icon';
+import { file_extension_icon_lucide } from './ae_utils__file_extension_icon_lucide';
 import { process_permission_checks } from './ae_utils__perm_checks';
 import { iso_datetime_formatter } from './ae_utils__datetime_format';
 import { is_datetime_recent } from './ae_utils__is_datetime_recent';
@@ -337,6 +338,7 @@ export const ae_util = {
     shorten_string: shorten_string,
     shorten_filename: shorten_filename,
     file_extension_icon: file_extension_icon,
+    file_extension_icon_lucide: file_extension_icon_lucide,
     format_html: format_html,
     set_obj_prop_display_name: set_obj_prop_display_name,
     return_obj_type_path: return_obj_type_path,
diff --git a/src/lib/ae_utils/ae_utils__file_extension_icon_lucide.ts b/src/lib/ae_utils/ae_utils__file_extension_icon_lucide.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a78566be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/ae_utils/ae_utils__file_extension_icon_lucide.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+import * as Lucide from 'lucide-svelte';
+
+/**
+ * Returns a Lucide icon component based on the provided file extension.
+ * @param extension The file extension (e.g., 'pdf', 'jpg').
+ * @returns The Lucide icon component.
+ */
+export function file_extension_icon_lucide(extension: string | undefined | null): any {
+    const ext = extension?.toLowerCase() || '';
+    
+    const icon_map: Record<string, any> = {
+        'pdf': Lucide.FileText,
+        'doc': Lucide.FileText,
+        'docx': Lucide.FileText,
+        'txt': Lucide.FileText,
+        'rtf': Lucide.FileText,
+        
+        'xls': Lucide.FileSpreadsheet,
+        'xlsx': Lucide.FileSpreadsheet,
+        'csv': Lucide.FileSpreadsheet,
+        
+        'png': Lucide.FileImage,
+        'jpg': Lucide.FileImage,
+        'jpeg': Lucide.FileImage,
+        'gif': Lucide.FileImage,
+        'webp': Lucide.FileImage,
+        'bmp': Lucide.FileImage,
+        'svg': Lucide.FileImage,
+        
+        'mp3': Lucide.FileAudio,
+        'wav': Lucide.FileAudio,
+        'm4a': Lucide.FileAudio,
+        'flac': Lucide.FileAudio,
+        'aac': Lucide.FileAudio,
+        'aif': Lucide.FileAudio,
+        'aiff': Lucide.FileAudio,
+        
+        'mp4': Lucide.FileVideo,
+        'mkv': Lucide.FileVideo,
+        'mov': Lucide.FileVideo,
+        'avi': Lucide.FileVideo,
+        '3gp': Lucide.FileVideo,
+        
+        'ppt': Lucide.Presentation,
+        'pptx': Lucide.Presentation,
+        'key': Lucide.Presentation,
+        'odp': Lucide.Presentation,
+        
+        'zip': Lucide.FileArchive,
+        '7z': Lucide.FileArchive,
+        'rar': Lucide.FileArchive,
+        'tar': Lucide.FileArchive,
+        'gz': Lucide.FileArchive,
+        
+        'json': Lucide.FileJson,
+        
+        'html': Lucide.FileCode,
+        'htm': Lucide.FileCode,
+        'js': Lucide.FileCode,
+        'ts': Lucide.FileCode,
+        'css': Lucide.FileCode,
+        'php': Lucide.FileCode
+    };
+
+    return icon_map[ext] || Lucide.File;
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li.svelte b/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li.svelte
index 5b99a2b7..cf05d373 100644
--- a/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li.svelte
@@ -183,7 +183,6 @@
                                                     log_lvl: 0
                                                 });
 
-                                            // window.postMessage({ type: 'download_event_file', event_file_id: event_file_obj.event_file_id, filename: event_file_obj.filename, auto_download: true }, '*');
                                         }}
                                         class="btn btn-sm lg:btn-md preset-tonal-primary hover:preset-filled-primary-500 min-w-72 lg:min-w-96"
                                         title={`Download this file:\n${event_file_obj.filename}\n[API] SHA256: ${event_file_obj.hash_sha256.slice(0, 10)}... Hosted ID: ${event_file_obj.hosted_file_id} Event File ID: ${event_file_obj.event_file_id}`}
diff --git a/src/routes/events/ae_comp__event_file_obj_tbl.svelte b/src/routes/events/ae_comp__event_file_obj_tbl.svelte
index 06952d1b..720d1263 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/ae_comp__event_file_obj_tbl.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/ae_comp__event_file_obj_tbl.svelte
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@
     // import { events_loc, events_sess, events_slct, events_trigger, events_trig_kv } from '$lib/stores/ae_events_stores';
     // import { events_func } from '$lib/ae_events_functions';
     import MyClipboard from '$lib/app_components/e_app_clipboard.svelte';
+    import AE_Comp_Hosted_Files_Download_Button from '$lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_download_button.svelte';
 
     // export let display_mode: string = 'default'; // 'default', 'compact', 'minimal', 'launcher'
 
@@ -371,64 +372,27 @@
                     {#each $lq__event_file_obj_li as event_file_obj}
                         <tr class:dim={event_file_obj?.hide}>
                             <td class="px-4 py-2">
-                                <button
-                                    disabled={!allow_basic &&
-                                        !allow_moderator &&
-                                        !$ae_loc.trusted_access}
-                                    onclick={() => {
-                                        // ae_promises[event_file_obj?.event_file_id]
-                                        ae_promises[event_file_obj?.event_file_id] =
-                                            api.download_hosted_file({
-                                                api_cfg: $ae_api,
-                                                hosted_file_id: event_file_obj?.hosted_file_id,
-                                                return_file: true,
-                                                filename: event_file_obj?.filename,
-                                                auto_download: true,
-                                                log_lvl: 0
-                                            });
-
-                                        // window.postMessage({ type: 'download_event_file', event_file_id: event_file_obj?.event_file_id, filename: event_file_obj?.filename, auto_download: true }, '*');
-                                    }}
-                                    class="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-primary hover:preset-filled-primary-500 min-w-72"
-                                    title={`Download this file: ${event_file_obj?.filename} [API] -- SHA256 hash: ${event_file_obj?.hash_sha256.slice(0, 10)}...`}
+                                <AE_Comp_Hosted_Files_Download_Button
+                                    hosted_file_id={event_file_obj?.hosted_file_id}
+                                    hosted_file_obj={event_file_obj}
+                                    classes="btn btn-sm preset-tonal-primary hover:preset-filled-primary-500 min-w-72"
                                 >
-                                    {#await ae_promises[event_file_obj?.event_file_id]}
-                                        <span class="fas fa-spinner fa-spin mx-1"></span>
-                                        <span class="">
-                                            Downloading
-                                            {#if $ae_sess.api_download_kv[event_file_obj?.hosted_file_id]}
-                                                {$ae_sess.api_download_kv[
-                                                    event_file_obj?.hosted_file_id
-                                                ].percent_completed}%
-                                            {/if}
-                                            :
+                                    {#snippet label()}
+                                        <span class="grow">
+                                            {ae_util.shorten_filename({
+                                                filename: event_file_obj?.filename,
+                                                max_length: 30
+                                            })}
                                         </span>
-                                    {:then}
-                                        <!-- <span class="fas fa-download mx-1"></span> -->
+
                                         <span
-                                            class="fas fa-{ae_util.file_extension_icon(
-                                                event_file_obj?.extension
-                                            )}"
-                                        ></span>
-                                        <!-- <span class="text-sm">
-                        Download:
-                        </span> -->
-                                    {/await}
-
-                                    <span class="grow">
-                                        {ae_util.shorten_filename({
-                                            filename: event_file_obj?.filename,
-                                            max_length: 30
-                                        })}
-                                    </span>
-
-                                    <span
-                                        class="badge preset-filled-success-600-400 hover:preset-filled-success-700-300 text-xs"
-                                        class:hidden={!event_file_obj?.file_purpose}
-                                    >
-                                        {event_file_obj?.file_purpose}
-                                    </span>
-                                </button>
+                                            class="badge preset-filled-success-600-400 hover:preset-filled-success-700-300 text-xs"
+                                            class:hidden={!event_file_obj?.file_purpose}
+                                        >
+                                            {event_file_obj?.file_purpose}
+                                        </span>
+                                    {/snippet}
+                                </AE_Comp_Hosted_Files_Download_Button>
                                 <!-- {event_file_obj?.filename} -->
                             </td>
                             <td
diff --git a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/archives/[archive_id]/ae_idaa_comp__archive_content_obj_li.svelte b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/archives/[archive_id]/ae_idaa_comp__archive_content_obj_li.svelte
index 6cca43f3..e51ccc84 100644
--- a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/archives/[archive_id]/ae_idaa_comp__archive_content_obj_li.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/archives/[archive_id]/ae_idaa_comp__archive_content_obj_li.svelte
@@ -204,7 +204,6 @@
                                                 auto_download: true
                                             });
 
-                                        // window.postMessage({ type: 'download_event_file', hosted_file_id: idaa_archive_content_obj.hosted_file_id, filename: idaa_archive_content_obj.filename, auto_download: true }, '*');
                                     }}
                                     class="novi_btn btn btn-sm lg:btn-md preset-tonal-primary hover:preset-filled-primary-500 min-w-72 lg:min-w-96"
                                     title={`Download this file:\n${idaa_archive_content_obj.filename}\n[API] SHA256: ${idaa_archive_content_obj?.hash_sha256.slice(0, 10)}... Hosted ID: ${idaa_archive_content_obj.hosted_file_id} Archive Content ID: ${idaa_archive_content_obj.archive_content_id}`}
diff --git a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_edit.svelte b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_edit.svelte
index 6569ecb6..38ff7f09 100644
--- a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_edit.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_edit.svelte
@@ -581,7 +581,6 @@ Copy and paste link: <a href="${link_base_url}?post_id=${$idaa_slct.post_id}">${
                                                 log_lvl: 0
                                             });
 
-                                        // window.postMessage({ type: 'download_event_file', hosted_file_id: linked_obj.hosted_file_id_random, filename: linked_obj.filename, auto_download: true }, '*');
                                     }}
                                     class="novi_btn btn btn-sm lg:btn-md preset-tonal-tertiary border border-tertiary-500 hover:preset-filled-tertiary-500 min-w-48"
                                     title={`Download this file:\n${linked_obj.filename}\n[API] SHA256: ${linked_obj?.hash_sha256.slice(0, 10)}... Hosted ID: ${linked_obj.hosted_file_id_random} Archive Content ID: ${linked_obj.archive_content_id}`}
diff --git a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_view.svelte b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_view.svelte
index 022416f2..b2afe0c7 100644
--- a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_view.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/bb/ae_idaa_comp__post_obj_id_view.svelte
@@ -179,7 +179,6 @@
                                             log_lvl: 0
                                         });
 
-                                    // window.postMessage({ type: 'download_event_file', hosted_file_id: linked_obj.hosted_file_id_random, filename: linked_obj.filename, auto_download: true }, '*');
                                 }}
                                 class="novi_btn btn btn-sm lg:btn-md preset-tonal-tertiary border border-tertiary-500 hover:preset-filled-tertiary-500 min-w-48"
                                 title={`Download this file:\n${linked_obj.filename}\n[API] SHA256: ${linked_obj?.hash_sha256.slice(0, 10)}... Hosted ID: ${linked_obj.hosted_file_id_random} Archive Content ID: ${linked_obj.archive_content_id}`}