AI alt text generator for Joomla: installation and configuration

The DockAccess AI Alt Generator package for Joomla contains a component for connection and alt management, and a content plugin that synchronizes article edits. It generates descriptions for the intro image and full article image from the Images and Links tab.

Requirements and scope

You need Joomla 5.4 or newer in the 5.x line, or Joomla 6.x, PHP 8.1+, a DockAccess account and permission to install extensions. Joomla permissions control component and configuration access; generation requires permission to edit the article. Images embedded in article body HTML, extension fields, backgrounds and template graphics are outside this screen’s scope. Remotely hosted images are listed, but generation requires a local file.

Step 1. Prepare the site in DockAccess

1. Sign in to DockAccess or create an account, then verify your email address.
2. Open My sites, choose Add site and enter the production domain, without a protocol or path. For an existing site, open its configuration instead of creating a duplicate.
3. Enable ALT Generator for this site and save. A paused service must be resolved within the account’s site allowance before the plugin can generate.
4. Copy the site token from the site configuration. In the CMS connection form, enter that token and the login and password of the DockAccess account that owns it. Select Connect.
5. Check the connected status and site address, then generate one test alt before starting a batch. The plugin must also appear among this site’s connected integrations in DockAccess.

The site token identifies the website. It is different from the account API key and the connection secret. Enter DockAccess credentials, not your CMS administrator credentials. The official plugins use the password for the connection request and do not store it. If you normally use social sign-in and have no password, set one using the password reset flow first.

Step 2. Install the package

1. Download the Joomla package ZIP. Leave it zipped.
2. In the Joomla administrator, open System → Install → Extensions and upload the ZIP. You can also use Install from URL with the package address.
3. Open Components → DockAccess AI Alt Generator → Connection. Enter the site token and your DockAccess login and password, then choose Connect.
4. Check the connected address and active generator. Run Test the push endpoint. Also check that the DockAccess AI Alt Generator content plugin is enabled; the installer enables it automatically.

Step 3. Set options and generate a description

1. On the Connection screen, set default context of up to 500 characters and a tone. Save the defaults.
2. Open Components → DockAccess AI Alt Generator → Alt texts. Search for an article, set a filter or select a language.
3. Check whether the row is the intro or full article image. Choose Generate for one image. The result is saved to the article immediately and the corresponding No Description flag is cleared.
4. Correct the text and save. For a decorative image, retain the deliberate no-description setting instead of generating in bulk.
5. After reviewing the trial, select images and start the batch. Images unavailable for generation should not be processed in it.

Language and article synchronization

The description uses the article language. Articles assigned to All use the default site language. Each image slot in an article stores one alt; a translated article can have its own text.

Changing a linked image’s alt on the component screen or when saving the article sends the edit to DockAccess. The component can receive signed updates, selecting the article language or otherwise the first available text. Account editing currently does not automatically deliver those updates: also save the correction in the Joomla article. Replacing the file in a slot removes the old image mapping: generate the new file again.

After saving, check the category view and full article view. The template must use both image alt fields. Clear Joomla and CDN caches if needed.

Allowances

The standard free allowance is 10 image generations per UTC day and 1 site with ALT Generator enabled. Ready-made CMS integrations are available on the free plan.

Paid ALT generator plans use a calendar-month allowance, available in full without a daily split. The site allowance is separate from the generation allowance. Your current allowance and usage are shown in the account dashboard. Check current plans

The generation allowance is shared across the account: the online tool, connected sites and API use the same pool. Generating again also uses the allowance; editing a saved text by hand does not generate a new description.

Daily usage resets at 00:00 UTC; monthly usage resets at 00:00 UTC on the first day of the next calendar month. This is independent of the subscription payment date. In Poland, 00:00 UTC is 01:00 in winter and 02:00 in summer. The usage service returns the exact renewal time as resets_at.

Bulk generation processes images in sequence. When the account allowance is exhausted, completed descriptions stay saved and the batch stops. Continue with the remaining images after renewal or a plan upgrade. A temporary request-rate limit causes a wait and retry instead. Older plugin versions may label a monthly counter “daily”; use the period and renewal time shown in your DockAccess account.

Updates and diagnosis

The package registers an update server, so new releases install through Joomla’s standard updater. After updating, check the connection and one article. Uninstalling the package removes its configuration and mappings; texts stored in articles remain in article data.

Connection refused: login or email verification

Use the DockAccess account that owns the site token, verify its email address and check the login and password. Repeated failed attempts can temporarily block further connection attempts.

The site address does not match

Check that the CMS production address is registered among the token’s domains. A staging connection does not confirm the production domain. Check HTTPS, reverse-proxy settings and the canonical site address before reconnecting.

Generator disabled (alt_disabled)

Enable ALT Generator for this exact site in DockAccess and save. Installing a plugin alone does not enable the service.

Generator paused (alt_paused)

The account’s site allowance has been exceeded, for example after a plan change. Free up a site slot or increase the allowance. Paused sites and previously generated texts are not deleted.

The site is already connected

Replace the connection only when you intend to reconnect this installation. Confirming replacement rotates the connection secret, so any other copy using the previous secret must reconnect.

The daily or monthly allowance is exhausted

Check the account dashboard and the renewal time. Completed texts remain saved. Wait for the appropriate UTC window to renew or choose a higher plan; reconnecting does not reset usage.

Too many requests in a short time

Let the batch wait and retry. In a custom integration, respect Retry-After and distinguish X-Alt-Reason: rate_limited from limit_reached. Avoid repeatedly clicking Generate.

An image cannot be generated

Check that the CMS can read the original local image. Use a valid supported raster file, such as JPEG, PNG or WebP. A file extension alone is insufficient; unsupported or damaged files must be converted or replaced. Joomla does not generate descriptions for remotely hosted article images.

Edits do not reach the CMS

Account editing currently does not automatically send changes to the CMS; save the correction there as well. The plugins can receive push updates. When implementing your own sender, test the endpoint and check public HTTPS, routes, firewall rules, signature headers and server clocks. Signed requests allow a five-minute clock difference and require a local image mapping.

The saved alt is not visible on the page

Inspect the rendered img element and clear page, template and CDN caches. A CMS media field does not necessarily update HTML already saved in an article or page builder. Correct that image instance or the template. Never fill a deliberately empty decorative alt in bulk.

See the general alt generator guide for reviewing descriptions and managing the account.