diff --git a/src/core/directives/directives.module.ts b/src/core/directives/directives.module.ts
index f60c2d19d..84a102748 100644
--- a/src/core/directives/directives.module.ts
+++ b/src/core/directives/directives.module.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import { CoreSupressEventsDirective } from './supress-events';
 import { CoreUserLinkDirective } from './user-link';
 import { CoreAriaButtonClickDirective } from './aria-button';
 import { CoreOnResizeDirective } from './on-resize';
+import { CoreDownloadFileDirective } from './download-file';
 
 @NgModule({
     declarations: [
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ import { CoreOnResizeDirective } from './on-resize';
         CoreUserLinkDirective,
         CoreAriaButtonClickDirective,
         CoreOnResizeDirective,
+        CoreDownloadFileDirective,
     ],
     exports: [
         CoreAutoFocusDirective,
@@ -55,6 +57,7 @@ import { CoreOnResizeDirective } from './on-resize';
         CoreUserLinkDirective,
         CoreAriaButtonClickDirective,
         CoreOnResizeDirective,
+        CoreDownloadFileDirective,
     ],
 })
 export class CoreDirectivesModule {}
diff --git a/src/core/directives/download-file.ts b/src/core/directives/download-file.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b0d798584
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/directives/download-file.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+// (C) Copyright 2015 Moodle Pty Ltd.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+import { Directive, Input, OnInit, ElementRef } from '@angular/core';
+import { CoreFileHelper } from '@services/file-helper';
+import { CoreDomUtils } from '@services/utils/dom';
+import { CoreWSFile } from '@services/ws';
+
+/**
+ * Directive to allow downloading and open a file. When the item with this directive is clicked, the file will be
+ * downloaded (if needed) and opened.
+ */
+@Directive({
+    selector: '[core-download-file]',
+})
+export class CoreDownloadFileDirective implements OnInit {
+
+    @Input('core-download-file') file?: CoreWSFile; // The file to download.
+    @Input() component?: string; // Component to link the file to.
+    @Input() componentId?: string | number; // Component ID to use in conjunction with the component.
+
+    protected element: HTMLElement;
+
+    constructor(element: ElementRef) {
+        this.element = element.nativeElement;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Component being initialized.
+     */
+    ngOnInit(): void {
+        this.element.addEventListener('click', async (ev: Event) => {
+            if (!this.file) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            ev.preventDefault();
+            ev.stopPropagation();
+
+            const modal = await CoreDomUtils.showModalLoading();
+
+            try {
+                await CoreFileHelper.downloadAndOpenFile(this.file, this.component, this.componentId);
+            } catch (error) {
+                CoreDomUtils.showErrorModalDefault(error, 'core.errordownloading', true);
+            } finally {
+                modal.dismiss();
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+}