diff --git a/category.php b/category.php
index 2496aea5..b62e0b8f 100644
--- a/category.php
+++ b/category.php
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ public function definition() {
 
         $id = optional_param('id', 0, PARAM_INT);
         $category = $DB->get_record_sql('
-            SELECT c.id, c.name, c.pid, c.internshare, c.shareall, c.iconmerge
+            SELECT c.id, c.name, c.pid, c.internshare, c.shareall, c.iconmerge, c.externaccess, c.hash
             FROM {block_exaportcate} c
             WHERE c.userid = ? AND id = ?
             ', array($USER->id, $id));
@@ -172,6 +172,8 @@ public function definition() {
             $category->shareall = 0;
             $category->id = 0;
             $category->iconmerge = 0;
+            $category->externaccess = 0;
+            $category->hash = '';
         };
 
         // Don't forget the underscore!
@@ -260,6 +262,27 @@ public function definition() {
             $mform->addElement('html', '</td></tr>');
             $mform->addElement('html', '<tr id="internaccess-groups"><td></td>' .
                 '<td><div id="sharing-grouplist">grouplist</div></td></tr>');
+
+            // External access (read-only link for non-logged-in users) — inside sharing submenu.
+            if (block_exaport_externaccess_enabled()
+                && has_capability('block/exaport:shareextern', context_system::instance())) {
+                $mform->addElement('html', '<tr><td colspan="2"><hr style="margin: 8px 0;" /></td></tr>');
+                $mform->addElement('html', '<tr><td>');
+                $mform->addElement('html', '<input type="checkbox" name="externaccess" value="1"' .
+                    ($category->externaccess ? ' checked="checked"' : '') . '/>');
+                $mform->addElement('html', '</td><td>' . get_string('externalaccess', 'block_exaport') . '</td></tr>');
+
+                // Show the external link if already enabled and category exists.
+                if ($category->id > 0 && $category->externaccess && $category->hash) {
+                    $url = block_exaport_get_external_category_url($category, $USER->id);
+                    $mform->addElement('html', '<tr id="externaccess-category-settings"><td></td><td>' .
+                        '<div style="padding: 4px;"><a href="' . s($url) . '" target="_blank">' . s($url) . '</a></div>' .
+                        '<div class="alert alert-info" style="margin-top: 5px;">' .
+                        get_string('externaccess_category_readonly', 'block_exaport') .
+                        '</div></td></tr>');
+                }
+            }
+
             $mform->addElement('html', '</table></div>');
             $mform->addElement('html', '</div></div>');
         };
@@ -292,6 +315,24 @@ public function validation($data, $files) {
         $newentry->internshare = 0;
     }
 
+    // Handle external access.
+    if (block_exaport_externaccess_enabled()
+        && has_capability('block/exaport:shareextern', context_system::instance())) {
+        $newentry->externaccess = optional_param('externaccess', 0, PARAM_INT) ? 1 : 0;
+    } else {
+        $newentry->externaccess = 0;
+    }
+
+    // Generate hash for category if not yet set.
+    if ($newentry->externaccess) {
+        $existingcat = $newentry->id ? $DB->get_record('block_exaportcate', ['id' => $newentry->id], 'hash') : null;
+        if (!$existingcat || empty($existingcat->hash)) {
+            do {
+                $newentry->hash = md5(random_bytes(16));
+            } while ($DB->record_exists("block_exaportcate", array("hash" => $newentry->hash)));
+        }
+    }
+
     if ($newentry->id) {
         // keep creatorid as is.. not "updatedby" but "CREATORid" so keep it
         $DB->update_record("block_exaportcate", $newentry);
@@ -430,7 +471,7 @@ public function validation($data, $files) {
     $category = null;
     if ($id = optional_param('id', 0, PARAM_INT)) {
         $category = $DB->get_record_sql('
-            SELECT c.id, c.name, c.pid, c.internshare, c.shareall, c.iconmerge
+            SELECT c.id, c.name, c.pid, c.internshare, c.shareall, c.iconmerge, c.externaccess, c.hash
             FROM {block_exaportcate} c
             WHERE c.userid = ? AND id = ?
         ', array($USER->id, $id));
diff --git a/db/install.xml b/db/install.xml
index 52239524..290296b5 100644
--- a/db/install.xml
+++ b/db/install.xml
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@
         <FIELD NAME="structure_share" TYPE="int" LENGTH="3" NOTNULL="false" DEFAULT="0" SEQUENCE="false" COMMENT="Sharing category as structure (work with structure_shareall field"/>
         <FIELD NAME="iconmerge" TYPE="int" LENGTH="1" NOTNULL="false" DEFAULT="0" SEQUENCE="false" COMMENT="try to merge thumbnail with the folder icon"/>
         <FIELD NAME="creatorid" TYPE="int" LENGTH="10" NOTNULL="true" DEFAULT="0" SEQUENCE="false" COMMENT="User ID of the creator of this category"/>
+        <FIELD NAME="externaccess" TYPE="int" LENGTH="3" NOTNULL="false" DEFAULT="0" SEQUENCE="false" COMMENT="external access enabled for this category"/>
+        <FIELD NAME="hash" TYPE="char" LENGTH="32" NOTNULL="false" SEQUENCE="false" COMMENT="hash for external access URL"/>
       </FIELDS>
       <KEYS>
         <KEY NAME="id" TYPE="primary" FIELDS="id" COMMENT="primary key for bookmark categories"/>
@@ -62,6 +64,7 @@
         <INDEX NAME="internshare" UNIQUE="false" FIELDS="internshare"/>
         <INDEX NAME="structure_shareall" UNIQUE="false" FIELDS="structure_shareall"/>
         <INDEX NAME="structure_share" UNIQUE="false" FIELDS="structure_share"/>
+        <INDEX NAME="hash" UNIQUE="false" FIELDS="hash"/>
       </INDEXES>
     </TABLE>
     <TABLE NAME="block_exaportcatshar" COMMENT="information to which categories is shared to other users">
diff --git a/db/upgrade.php b/db/upgrade.php
index 98003321..1ee81761 100644
--- a/db/upgrade.php
+++ b/db/upgrade.php
@@ -1326,5 +1326,31 @@ function block_exaport_wrong_personal_information_upgrade_2012120301($matches) {
         upgrade_block_savepoint(true, 2026022404, 'exaport');
     }
 
+    if ($oldversion < 2026032501) {
+        // Add externaccess field to block_exaportcate table.
+        $table = new xmldb_table('block_exaportcate');
+        $field = new xmldb_field('externaccess', XMLDB_TYPE_INTEGER, '3', null, null, null, '0', 'creatorid');
+
+        if (!$dbman->field_exists($table, $field)) {
+            $dbman->add_field($table, $field);
+        }
+
+        // Add hash field to block_exaportcate table.
+        $field = new xmldb_field('hash', XMLDB_TYPE_CHAR, '32', null, null, null, null, 'externaccess');
+
+        if (!$dbman->field_exists($table, $field)) {
+            $dbman->add_field($table, $field);
+        }
+
+        // Add index on hash field.
+        $index = new xmldb_index('hash', XMLDB_INDEX_NOTUNIQUE, array('hash'));
+        if (!$dbman->index_exists($table, $index)) {
+            $dbman->add_index($table, $index);
+        }
+
+        // Exaport savepoint reached.
+        upgrade_block_savepoint(true, 2026032501, 'exaport');
+    }
+
     return $result;
 }
diff --git a/lang/en/block_exaport.php b/lang/en/block_exaport.php
index eba03941..94b9d148 100644
--- a/lang/en/block_exaport.php
+++ b/lang/en/block_exaport.php
@@ -977,3 +977,10 @@
 $string['no_views_to_distribute'] = 'No view template defined to distribute';
 $string['views_created'] = 'Views created: {$a}';
 $string['views_skipped'] = 'Views skipped (already exist): {$a}';
+
+// Shared category external access.
+$string['externaccess_category_readonly'] = 'This link allows read-only access. Visitors can only view the category contents - no editing, uploading, or deleting is possible.';
+$string['shared_category_readonly'] = 'You are viewing a shared category. This is a read-only view.';
+$string['shared_category_notfound'] = 'Shared category not found or access denied.';
+$string['shared_category'] = 'Shared Category';
+
diff --git a/lib/sharelib.php b/lib/sharelib.php
index cd56dcea..d70dbcc7 100644
--- a/lib/sharelib.php
+++ b/lib/sharelib.php
@@ -30,6 +30,67 @@ function block_exaport_get_external_view_url(stdClass $view, $userid = -1) {
         return $CFG->wwwroot . '/blocks/exaport/shared_view.php?access=hash/' . $userid . '-' . $view->hash;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Generate external URL for a shared category.
+     *
+     * @param stdClass $category Category object with hash field
+     * @param int $userid Owner user ID (-1 for current user)
+     * @return string The external URL
+     */
+    function block_exaport_get_external_category_url(stdClass $category, $userid = -1) {
+        global $CFG, $USER;
+        if ($userid == -1) {
+            $userid = $USER->id;
+        }
+        return $CFG->wwwroot . '/blocks/exaport/shared_category.php?access=hash/' . $userid . '-' . $category->hash;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get a category from an external access string (hash-based).
+     * Returns the category if access is valid, null otherwise.
+     * This is strictly read-only access.
+     *
+     * @param string $access Access string in format "hash/<userid>-<hash>"
+     * @return stdClass|null Category object with access info, or null
+     */
+    function block_exaport_get_category_from_access($access) {
+        global $DB;
+
+        $accesspath = explode('/', $access);
+        if (count($accesspath) != 2) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        if ($accesspath[0] !== 'hash') {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        $hash = $accesspath[1];
+        $hash = explode('-', $hash);
+
+        if (count($hash) != 2) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        $userid = clean_param($hash[0], PARAM_INT);
+        $hash = clean_param($hash[1], PARAM_ALPHANUM);
+
+        if (empty($userid) || empty($hash)) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        // Look up the category by userid, hash, and externaccess flag.
+        $conditions = array("userid" => $userid, "hash" => $hash, "externaccess" => 1);
+        if (!$category = $DB->get_record("block_exaportcate", $conditions)) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        $category->access = new stdClass();
+        $category->access->request = 'extern';
+
+        return $category;
+    }
+
     function block_exaport_get_user_from_access($access, $epopaccess = false) {
         global $DB;
 
@@ -362,6 +423,42 @@ function block_exaport_get_item($itemid, $access, $epopaccess = false, $pdfacces
                 $item->allowComments = true;
                 $item->showComments = true;
             }
+        } else if (preg_match('!^category/(.+)$!', $access, $matches)) {
+            // External category access mode (read-only).
+            if (!$category = block_exaport_get_category_from_access($matches[1])) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Verify the item belongs to the category owner.
+            $conditions = array("id" => $itemid, "userid" => $category->userid);
+            if (!$item = $DB->get_record("block_exaportitem", $conditions)) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Verify the item is in this category or a subcategory of it.
+            $incategory = false;
+            $checkcat = $item->categoryid;
+            $maxdepth = 50;
+            while ($checkcat && $maxdepth-- > 0) {
+                if ($checkcat == $category->id) {
+                    $incategory = true;
+                    break;
+                }
+                $parentcat = $DB->get_field('block_exaportcate', 'pid', ['id' => $checkcat, 'userid' => $category->userid]);
+                if (!$parentcat) {
+                    break;
+                }
+                $checkcat = $parentcat;
+            }
+            if (!$incategory) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            $item->access = $category->access;
+            $item->access->page = 'category';
+            // Strictly read-only: no comments at all.
+            $item->allowComments = false;
+            $item->showComments = false;
         } else {
             return;
         }
diff --git a/shared_category.php b/shared_category.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5e764db6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shared_category.php
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+<?php
+// This file is part of Exabis Eportfolio (extension for Moodle)
+//
+// Moodle is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// Moodle is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Moodle.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+// (c) 2016 GTN - Global Training Network GmbH <office@gtn-solutions.com>.
+
+/**
+ * Read-only external view of a shared category.
+ *
+ * This page allows external (non-logged-in) users to view the contents of a
+ * shared category via a hash-based URL. Strictly read-only: no editing,
+ * uploading, deleting, or commenting is possible.
+ */
+
+require_once(__DIR__ . '/inc.php');
+require_once(__DIR__ . '/lib/externlib.php');
+require_once(__DIR__ . '/blockmediafunc.php');
+
+$access = optional_param('access', '', PARAM_TEXT);
+$subcategoryid = optional_param('subcategoryid', 0, PARAM_INT);
+
+/** Maximum category nesting depth to prevent infinite loops. */
+define('BLOCK_EXAPORT_MAX_CATEGORY_DEPTH', 50);
+
+$context = context_system::instance();
+$PAGE->set_context($context);
+
+// Allow access without being logged in (external access via hash).
+require_login(0, true);
+
+$url = '/blocks/exaport/shared_category.php';
+$PAGE->set_url($url, ['access' => $access]);
+
+// Validate the access hash and get the root shared category.
+$rootcategory = block_exaport_get_category_from_access($access);
+if (!$rootcategory) {
+    throw new moodle_exception('shared_category_notfound', 'block_exaport');
+}
+
+// Get the owner user.
+$owner = $DB->get_record('user', ['id' => $rootcategory->userid]);
+if (!$owner || $owner->deleted) {
+    throw new moodle_exception('shared_category_notfound', 'block_exaport');
+}
+
+// Determine which category to display: root or a subcategory.
+if ($subcategoryid > 0) {
+    // Verify the subcategory belongs to the same owner and is a descendant of the root category.
+    $currentcategory = $DB->get_record('block_exaportcate', [
+        'id' => $subcategoryid,
+        'userid' => $rootcategory->userid,
+    ]);
+    if (!$currentcategory) {
+        throw new moodle_exception('shared_category_notfound', 'block_exaport');
+    }
+
+    // Walk up the parent chain to verify this subcategory is actually under the root category.
+    $verified = false;
+    $checkcat = $currentcategory;
+    $maxdepth = BLOCK_EXAPORT_MAX_CATEGORY_DEPTH; // Prevent infinite loops.
+    while ($checkcat && $maxdepth-- > 0) {
+        if ($checkcat->id == $rootcategory->id) {
+            $verified = true;
+            break;
+        }
+        if (empty($checkcat->pid)) {
+            break;
+        }
+        $checkcat = $DB->get_record('block_exaportcate', [
+            'id' => $checkcat->pid,
+            'userid' => $rootcategory->userid,
+        ]);
+    }
+    if (!$verified) {
+        throw new moodle_exception('shared_category_notfound', 'block_exaport');
+    }
+} else {
+    $currentcategory = $rootcategory;
+}
+
+// Page setup.
+$PAGE->set_title(get_string('shared_category', 'block_exaport') . ': ' . format_string($currentcategory->name));
+$PAGE->set_heading(get_string('shared_category', 'block_exaport'));
+
+block_exaport_init_js_css();
+
+$PAGE->requires->js(new moodle_url($CFG->wwwroot . '/blocks/exaport/javascript/vedeo-js/video.js'), true);
+$PAGE->requires->css('/blocks/exaport/javascript/vedeo-js/video-js.css');
+
+echo $OUTPUT->header();
+echo $OUTPUT->heading(format_string($currentcategory->name));
+
+// Show owner info.
+echo '<div class="shared-category-owner" style="margin-bottom: 15px;">';
+echo $OUTPUT->user_picture($owner, ['link' => false, 'size' => 35]);
+echo ' <span>' . fullname($owner) . '</span>';
+echo '</div>';
+
+// Read-only notice.
+echo '<div class="alert alert-info">';
+echo get_string('shared_category_readonly', 'block_exaport');
+echo '</div>';
+
+// Breadcrumb navigation.
+echo '<div class="shared-category-breadcrumb" style="margin-bottom: 15px;">';
+$breadcrumbs = [];
+if ($currentcategory->id != $rootcategory->id) {
+    // Build breadcrumb from root to current.
+    $crumbchain = [];
+    $cat = $currentcategory;
+    $maxdepth = BLOCK_EXAPORT_MAX_CATEGORY_DEPTH;
+    while ($cat && $maxdepth-- > 0) {
+        array_unshift($crumbchain, $cat);
+        if ($cat->id == $rootcategory->id) {
+            break;
+        }
+        if (empty($cat->pid)) {
+            break;
+        }
+        $cat = $DB->get_record('block_exaportcate', [
+            'id' => $cat->pid,
+            'userid' => $rootcategory->userid,
+        ]);
+    }
+    foreach ($crumbchain as $i => $crumb) {
+        if ($i == count($crumbchain) - 1) {
+            // Current (last) item - no link.
+            $breadcrumbs[] = '<strong>' . format_string($crumb->name) . '</strong>';
+        } else {
+            $crumburl = new moodle_url('/blocks/exaport/shared_category.php', [
+                'access' => $access,
+                'subcategoryid' => ($crumb->id == $rootcategory->id) ? 0 : $crumb->id,
+            ]);
+            $breadcrumbs[] = '<a href="' . $crumburl->out() . '">' . format_string($crumb->name) . '</a>';
+        }
+    }
+    echo implode(' &raquo; ', $breadcrumbs);
+} else {
+    echo '<strong>' . format_string($currentcategory->name) . '</strong>';
+}
+echo '</div>';
+
+// Get subcategories.
+$subcategories = $DB->get_records('block_exaportcate', [
+    'pid' => $currentcategory->id,
+    'userid' => $rootcategory->userid,
+], 'name ASC');
+
+// The access string for items within this category, used for file serving via portfoliofile.php.
+$categoryaccess = 'category/' . $access;
+
+// Get items in this category.
+$items = $DB->get_records_sql("
+    SELECT i.*
+    FROM {block_exaportitem} i
+    WHERE i.categoryid = ?
+        AND i.userid = ?
+    ORDER BY i.name ASC
+", [$currentcategory->id, $rootcategory->userid]);
+
+// Display subcategories.
+if ($subcategories) {
+    echo '<h3>' . get_string('category', 'block_exaport') . '</h3>';
+    echo '<div class="shared-category-subcategories">';
+    foreach ($subcategories as $subcat) {
+        $subcaturl = new moodle_url('/blocks/exaport/shared_category.php', [
+            'access' => $access,
+            'subcategoryid' => $subcat->id,
+        ]);
+        echo '<div class="shared-category-item" style="padding: 5px 0;">';
+        echo '<a href="' . $subcaturl->out() . '">';
+        echo '<i class="fa fa-folder" style="color: #7a7a7a; margin-right: 5px;"></i>';
+        echo format_string($subcat->name);
+        echo '</a>';
+        echo '</div>';
+    }
+    echo '</div>';
+}
+
+// Display items with rich content (read-only, no edit/delete/comment).
+if ($items) {
+    echo '<h3>' . get_string('artefacts', 'block_exaport') . '</h3>';
+
+    foreach ($items as $item) {
+        $item->intro = process_media_url($item->intro, 320, 240);
+        echo '<div class="shared-category-artefact" style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 4px;">';
+        block_exaport_print_extern_item($item, $categoryaccess);
+        echo '</div>';
+    }
+}
+
+if (empty($subcategories) && empty($items)) {
+    echo '<p>' . get_string('nobookmarksall', 'block_exaport') . '</p>';
+}
+
+// Back link if we're in a subcategory.
+if ($currentcategory->id != $rootcategory->id) {
+    // Go up to parent.
+    $parentid = ($currentcategory->pid == $rootcategory->id) ? 0 : $currentcategory->pid;
+    $backurl = new moodle_url('/blocks/exaport/shared_category.php', [
+        'access' => $access,
+        'subcategoryid' => $parentid,
+    ]);
+    echo '<div style="margin-top: 15px;">';
+    echo '<a href="' . $backurl->out() . '">&laquo; ' . get_string('back') . '</a>';
+    echo '</div>';
+}
+
+echo $OUTPUT->footer();
diff --git a/version.php b/version.php
index c24f29b1..e9a13a51 100644
--- a/version.php
+++ b/version.php
@@ -19,6 +19,6 @@
 
 $plugin->component = 'block_exaport';
 $plugin->release = '5.1';
-$plugin->version = 2026032500;
+$plugin->version = 2026032501;
 $plugin->requires = 2021051700; // moodle 3.11
 $plugin->maturity = MATURITY_STABLE;
diff --git a/view_items.php b/view_items.php
index 5d025715..cae2c295 100644
--- a/view_items.php
+++ b/view_items.php
@@ -468,6 +468,9 @@ function block_exaport_print_category_select($categoriesbyparent, $currentcatego
         $currentcategoryPathItemButtons .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('handshake', 'regular', 1);
         //        $currentcategoryPathItemButtons .= ' <img src="pix/noteitshared.gif" alt="file" title="shared to other users">';
     }
+    if (!empty($currentcategory->externaccess)) {
+        $currentcategoryPathItemButtons .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('globe', 'solid', 1);
+    }
     $currentcategoryPathItemButtons .= ' <a href="' . $CFG->wwwroot . '/blocks/exaport/category.php?courseid=' . $courseid . '&id=' . $currentcategory->id .
         '&action=edit&back=same">'
         . block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('pen-to-square', 'regular', 1)
@@ -563,6 +566,9 @@ function block_exaport_print_category_select($categoriesbyparent, $currentcatego
                 $table->data[$itemind]['icons'] .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('handshake', 'regular', 1);
                 //                $table->data[$itemind]['icons'] .= '<img src="pix/noteitshared.gif" alt="file" title="shared to other users">';
             };
+            if (!empty($category->externaccess)) {
+                $table->data[$itemind]['icons'] .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('globe', 'solid', 1);
+            }
             if (@$category->structure_share) {
                 $table->data[$itemind]['icons'] .= ' <img src="pix/sharedfolder.png" title="shared to other users as a structure">';
             }
@@ -855,6 +861,9 @@ function block_exaport_category_template_tile($category, $courseid, $type, $curr
                 $categoryContent .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('handshake', 'regular', 1);
                 //                            echo '<img src="pix/noteitshared.gif" alt="file" title="shared to other users">';
             };
+            if (!empty($category->externaccess)) {
+                $categoryContent .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('globe', 'solid', 1);
+            }
             if (@$category->structure_share) {
                 $categoryContent .= ' <img src="pix/sharedfolder.png" title="shared to other users as a structure">';
             };
@@ -1064,6 +1073,9 @@ function block_exaport_category_template_bootstrap_card($category, $courseid, $t
                     (isset($category->shareall) && $category->shareall == 1))) {
                 $categoryContent .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('handshake', 'regular', 1);
             };
+            if (!empty($category->externaccess)) {
+                $categoryContent .= block_exaport_fontawesome_icon('globe', 'solid', 1);
+            }
             /*if (@$category->structure_share) {
                 $categoryContent .= ' <img src="pix/sharedfolder.png" title="shared to other users as a structure">';
             };*/