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
index 6e3537d2..f0b6f245 100644
--- a/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_download_button.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/ae_core/ae_comp__hosted_files_download_button.svelte
@@ -174,6 +174,16 @@ let shortened_filename = $derived(
     })
 );
 
+let is_url_file = $derived.by(() => {
+    const raw_filename = (hosted_file_obj?.filename ?? '').toLowerCase();
+    const extension = (hosted_file_obj?.extension ?? '').toLowerCase();
+    return (
+        raw_filename.startsWith('http://') ||
+        raw_filename.startsWith('https://') ||
+        extension === 'url'
+    );
+});
+
 let direct_download_url = $derived.by(() => {
     if (!show_direct_download || !hosted_file_obj) return '';
     // IMPORTANT: For Direct Link Mode, we MUST use the V3 Action endpoint to support Random String IDs.
@@ -190,6 +200,19 @@ let direct_download_url = $derived.by(() => {
 
 async function handle_click() {
     const file_id = hosted_file_obj?.hosted_file_id ?? hosted_file_id;
+
+    // URL-backed records are intentionally not downloaded. Callers are expected
+    // to provide a custom click handler that opens the URL directly.
+    if (is_url_file) {
+        if (click) {
+            const result = click();
+            if (track_click_promise && result instanceof Promise) {
+                ae_promises[file_id] = result;
+            }
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
     download_complete = undefined;
     download_status_msg = 'Downloading...';