An initial set of DFPs is installed with the IDE.
After installation, DFPs are installed/managed automatically, using the Pack Manager in the IDE, which connects with the DFP repository on the web.
It's useful to know where the DFP source repositories are hosted, so you can archive the DFP file along with your IDE, compiler, and "packaged" project (.zip file) from MPLAB® X.
DFP Repository (MPLAB X IDE)
The DFP repository used by the Pack Manager in MPLAB X IDE is hosted on https://packs.download.microchip.com.
Note: DFPs from the Microchip DFP repository cannot be used with Atmel/Microchip Studio IDE.
DFP Repository (Atmel/Microchip Studio IDE)
The DFP repository used by the Pack Manager in Atmel/Microchip Studio IDE is hosted on https://packs.download.atmel.com.
Note: DFPs from the Atmel DFP repository cannot be used with MPLAB X IDE.
DFP File
DFP files are published with an .atpack extension. To view the contents of the DFP, simply replace the .atpack extension with .zip and open the archive on your computer.
Installing Downloaded DFP Files
Normally, DFPs are automatically downloaded/installed using the Pack Manager in MPLAB X IDE. The Pack Manager can also be used to manually install the downloaded file as shown below: