Generate alt text with AI
To generate alt text for the images in your WordPress media library, go to Dirigible → AI Alt Text and click Generate All Alt Text. Dirigible AI writes a description for every image that doesn't have one yet. You can also generate and edit one image at a time, and have new uploads described automatically.
AI alt text is a first draft. For what good alt text looks like, see How to write alt text for images.
What do I need first?
An OpenRouter API key, which pays for the AI requests. Save it for the whole site:
- Go to Dirigible → AI / OpenRouter.
- Paste your OpenRouter API Key and click Save Settings.
Don't have a key yet? See Add an OpenRouter AI key. Without a saved key, you can paste one under API Configuration on the AI Alt Text screen, but it only lasts until you leave the page, and automatic alt text won't work.
Generate alt text for every image at once
- Go to Dirigible → AI Alt Text. The list shows Images Without Alt Text.
- Leave Model on the recommended option unless you have a reason to change it.
- Click Generate All Alt Text.
Each description is saved as soon as it's written. There's no approval step. When it finishes, click Refresh List to see what's still missing, then check your most important images (see Review AI alt text below).
Generate and edit one image at a time
To read each description before it goes live:
- On the AI Alt Text screen, find the image.
- Click Generate Alt Text. The draft appears on the card but isn't saved yet.
- Edit the wording if you like.
- Click Save Alt Text.
The description is saved to the image's Alternative Text in the media library.
Review AI alt text
Check the images that matter most: homepage photos, heroes, logos, and products. Watch for drafts that are too general, like "person outdoors" on a photo of a specific event or product.
To fix a description that's already saved:
- Go to Media → Library and open the image.
- Change Alternative Text. It saves as you type.
Aim for short and specific, never starting with "image of". Leave alt text empty only for decorative images.
Now and then the AI can't describe an image and answers with an error instead. That's never saved as alt text: the card stays empty, so you can try Generate Alt Text again or pick another Model.
Turn automatic alt text on or off
With automatic alt text on, each new image you upload gets Alternative Text a few moments later. It only fills empty fields, so alt text you've already written stays put, and it doesn't touch images already in the library.
- Save a site key first (see What do I need first?). Until one is saved, the Automatic Generation section asks for it and the checkbox doesn't appear.
- On the AI Alt Text screen, under Automatic Generation, check Automatically generate alt text when images are uploaded. It's on by default once a site key is saved.
- Upload a test image. Alternative Text should fill in after a short wait.
Uncheck the box to turn it off. Each upload uses OpenRouter credits. If the AI can't describe an upload, Dirigible AI tries again later; after three failed tries it marks the image Skipped in Media → Library, so write that one yourself.
