### Generate accessible alt text and optimize DatoCMS images directly in the editor.

(Image content)

[

**This is a Community Plugin!** Learn how create your own plugin, or copy and remix existing ones in our documentation

](https://www.datocms.com/docs/plugin-sdk/introduction.md)

## WriteAlt for DatoCMS

An editor plugin that brings WriteAlt into the DatoCMS item workflow. It reads image and gallery fields on the current record, generates one-language alt text, saves it back to the record and asset metadata, and optimizes the existing asset in place without creating a duplicate.

## Private plugin setup

1.  Install dependencies with `npm install`.
2.  Start the local plugin with `npm run dev`.
3.  In DatoCMS, create a private plugin with the following values:
    -   Plugin name: `WriteAlt - AI Alt Text and Image Optimization`
    -   Small description: `Generate alt text and optimize DatoCMS images in the editor.`
    -   Entry point URL: `http://localhost:5173`
    -   Legacy plugin: Off
    -   Additional permission: `currentUserAccessToken`
4.  Open a DatoCMS record that contains an image or gallery field and select the WriteAlt sidebar panel.
5.  Save the WriteAlt API key in the plugin settings screen. Each DatoCMS project stores its own plugin parameters, so merchants use their own key.

For production, run `npm run build` and serve the generated `dist` directory over HTTPS. Replace the localhost entry point with that HTTPS URL in the DatoCMS plugin settings.