breaking: Signal removal of official support for direct download of Cypress (#32249)

* breaking: Signal removal of official support for direct download of Cypress

BREAKING: Signal removal of official support for direct download of Cypress

* add PR link

* Update cli/CHANGELOG.md

Co-authored-by: Mike McCready <[email protected]>

---------

Co-authored-by: Mike McCready <[email protected]>

Author: jennifer-shehane

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3-install-issue.yml

@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ body:
       options:
         - npm
         - yarn
-        - Direct download
         - pnpm
         - other
     validations:

cli/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ _Released 08/12/2025 (PENDING)_
 - In order to better align with best practices, `@cypress/webpack-batteries-included-preprocessor` no longer includes certain browser built-ins that were automatically provided by Webpack 4. The removed built-ins are `assert`, `constants`, `crypto`, `domain`, `events`, `http`, `https`, `punycode`, `querystring`, `string_decoder`, `sys`, `timers`, `tty`, `url`, `util`, `vm`, and `zlib`. However, we know that certain built-ins are popular, given that many users have files that are shared between their Cypress tests and node context. Because of this, `@cypress/webpack-batteries-included-preprocessor` will ship with built-in support for `buffer`, `path`, `process`, `os`, and `stream`. If there is a built-in that isn't supported by default and you need to add support, please refer to the Webpack [resolve.fallback](https://webpack.js.org/configuration/resolve/#resolvefallback) documentation and the [`@cypress/webpack-batteries-included-preprocessor` README](../npm/webpack-batteries-included-preprocessor/README.md). Addresses [#31039](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/31039).
 - The application under test's `pagehide` event in Chromium browsers will no longer trigger Cypress's `window:unload` event. Addressed in [#31853](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/31853).
 - The `Cypress.SelectorPlayground` API has been renamed to `Cypress.ElementSelector`. This API was renamed to accommodate its use for defining `selectorPriority` in Cypress Studio and our future [`cy.prompt` release](https://on.cypress.io/cy-prompt-early-access?utm_source=docs&utm_medium=app-changelog&utm_content=cy-prompt-release). Additionally, the `getSelector` method and the `onElement` option of `defaults` were removed from this API. Addresses [#31801](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/31801). Addressed in [#31889](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/31889) and [#32098](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/32098).
+- The direct download option for installing Cypress is no longer supported. Users should install via a package manager. Addressed in [#32249](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/32249).
 - **Component Testing breaking changes:**
   - Removed support for Angular 17. The minimum supported version is now `18.0.0`. Addresses [#31303](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/31303).
   - `@cypress/angular` now requires a minimum of `zone.js` `0.14.0`. Addresses [#31582](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/31582).

cli/__snapshots__/install_spec.js

@@ -260,8 +260,6 @@ Installing Cypress (version: 1.2.3)
 
 ⚠ Warning: It looks like you've installed Cypress globally.
 
-  This will work, but it's not recommended.
-
   The recommended way to install Cypress is as a devDependency per project.
 
   You should probably run these commands:

cli/lib/tasks/install.js

@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ const displayCompletionMsg = () => {
     logger.warn(stripIndent`
       ${logSymbols.warning} Warning: It looks like you\'ve installed Cypress globally.
 
-        This will work, but it'\s not recommended.
-
         The recommended way to install Cypress is as a devDependency per project.
 
         You should probably run these commands: