WriteAlt - AI Alt Text and Image Optimization for DatoCMS

WriteAlt brings AI-powered image accessibility and optimization directly into the DatoCMS editor. Content teams can generate useful alt-text descriptions, review them on the current record, save them to DatoCMS image metadata, and reduce image file sizes without leaving their editorial workflow.

Highlights

• Generate alt text for one image, all missing images, or every image in the current record.
• Process images in image and gallery fields.
• Choose from more than 130 supported languages.
• Select a writing style, from concise descriptions to detailed descriptions.
• Add optional product or SEO keywords to guide generation.
• See the current alt text, file size, and processing status for every image.
• Save generated descriptions to the DatoCMS record and asset metadata.
• Optimize large images in place and keep the existing asset reference.
• Preserve existing alt text when optimizing an image.
• Avoid duplicate CMS records and duplicate assets.
• Retry individual images when a request fails.
• Keep each project's WriteAlt API key in that project's DatoCMS plugin settings.

Install in DatoCMS

WriteAlt is distributed through the DatoCMS Plugin Marketplace. No code, hosting, or developer setup is required for a project editor.

1. Open Configuration > Plugins in your DatoCMS project.
2. Select Add a new plugin.
3. Search for WriteAlt and select Install.
4. Open a record containing an image or gallery field.
5. Open the WriteAlt sidebar panel.
6. Open the plugin settings, paste a WriteAlt API key, and save it.

Each DatoCMS project stores its own plugin settings. Every project should use its own WriteAlt account or API key. API keys are used for that project's requests and are not shared with other DatoCMS projects.

Generate alt text

Open any DatoCMS record that contains image or gallery fields. WriteAlt automatically finds the assets attached to the current record and displays their previews, filenames, current alt text, file sizes, and status.

Use Generate alt text on an individual image, or use Generate missing alt text to process only images without a description. Use the record actions menu when you want to regenerate all descriptions explicitly. Existing alt text is not overwritten by the missing-alt-text action.

Generated text is saved to the DatoCMS record and the related asset metadata. The card updates with the saved description and result status, so editors can review the content before publishing the record.

Optimize images

Choose Optimize image on an individual card or Optimize images for the current record. WriteAlt creates a smaller WebP version when it can reduce the file size, updates the existing DatoCMS asset in place, and preserves its alt text and record reference.

If a smaller file cannot be produced, WriteAlt keeps the original image unchanged and reports that result. The plugin does not create duplicate records or duplicate assets.

Credits and API key

Alt-text generation uses the WriteAlt credits associated with the API key saved in the current DatoCMS project. Image optimization does not replace existing alt text. To create an API key, sign in to WriteAlt and open Dashboard > Settings > API.

Review before publishing

WriteAlt provides AI-generated suggestions. Editors should review descriptions according to the image's purpose and surrounding content before publishing. Decorative, functional, informative, and complex images may require different alt-text treatment.

WriteAlt saves changes to the current DatoCMS record, but the editor remains responsible for reviewing and publishing the record through DatoCMS.

Support

For help with the plugin or API key, contact support@writealt.com.

Development

The plugin is published as an NPM package for one-click installation through the DatoCMS Plugin Marketplace. Development and release instructions are maintained by the plugin publisher and are not required for normal installation.