AI alt text generator for PrestaShop: installation and configuration

DockAccess AI Alt Generator generates descriptions for product photographs and saves them as image legends in the selected shop language. You can generate individually, process a selection and synchronize manual corrections with DockAccess.

Requirements and scope

The module supports PrestaShop 1.7.8+, 8.x and 9.x with PHP 7.4+. You need a DockAccess account and access to module installation and the product catalogue. Its generation screen covers product images, rather than all shop graphics: banners, logos, category images and backgrounds need separate handling.

Step 1. Prepare the shop 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 and connect the module

1. Download the PrestaShop alt generator ZIP. Leave it zipped.
2. In the PrestaShop back office, open Modules → Module Manager → Upload a module. Upload the ZIP and choose Configure beside AI Alt Generator.
3. On the Connection tab, enter the site token and your DockAccess login and password. Select Connect.
4. Check the shop address and active service status. Run Test the endpoint. Behind a reverse proxy, the address should use public HTTPS.

Step 3. Context and tone

On the Generation tab, set context of up to 500 characters and a tone. Describe the catalogue or use of the pictures, such as “Product photographs for a backpack shop”. Avoid instructions to insert keywords. Save the defaults, then open Catalog → AI Alt Generator.

Step 4. Language, description and bulk generation

1. Select the shop language on the images screen. Each language has a separate legend.
2. Search for a product or filter for missing descriptions. Generate one alt and review the resulting legend.
3. Correct the text and save. PrestaShop limits legends to 128 characters; the module removes < > = { } to meet field restrictions. Check the saved result after trimming.
4. After a successful trial, select the required images and start the batch. Results are saved in sequence. Repeat for the other languages you wish to complete.

Synchronization and product-page checks

For linked images, legend changes made in the back office are sent to DockAccess. The module can receive signed updates in matching shop languages, but account editing currently does not trigger their delivery. Save account corrections in the shop as well. Languages not enabled in the shop are skipped on incoming updates. Your theme must use the legend as the alt attribute: check the product page, gallery and product listing after clearing caches. Updating module data cannot correct a theme that ignores the field.

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.

Diagnosis and maintenance

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.

After updating the module, check the connection and one product in each language used. Disconnect through the Connection form or the account’s integration list. Retain good editorial legends. See the generator user guide for the wider workflow.