# Alt Text Pro WordPress Plugin - Installation Guide

## 🚀 Quick Start

### Prerequisites
- WordPress 5.0 or higher
- PHP 7.4 or higher
- Active internet connection
- Alt Text Pro account (free signup at https://www.alt-text.pro)

### Installation Steps

#### Method 1: WordPress Admin (Recommended)
1. Download the plugin zip file
2. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard
3. Navigate to **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**
4. Choose the `alt-text-pro.zip` file
5. Click **Install Now** and then **Activate**

#### Method 2: FTP Upload
1. Extract the plugin zip file
2. Upload the `alt-text-pro` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`
3. Go to **Plugins** in WordPress admin and activate **Alt Text Pro**

### Configuration

#### Step 1: Get Your API Key
1. Visit https://www.alt-text.pro
2. Sign up for a free account (30 credits included)
3. Go to your dashboard and copy your API key

#### Step 2: Configure the Plugin
1. In WordPress admin, go to **Alt Text Pro → Settings**
2. Paste your API key in the **API Key** field
3. Click **Test Connection** to verify it works
4. Configure your preferences:
   - **Auto-generate**: Enable to generate alt-text on upload
   - **Overwrite existing**: Choose whether to replace existing alt-text
   - **Context-aware**: Enable for better descriptions
   - **Batch size**: Set how many images to process at once
5. Click **Save Settings**

#### Step 3: Start Using
1. Go to **Alt Text Pro → Dashboard** to see your overview
2. Use **Alt Text Pro → Bulk Process** to handle existing images
3. New uploads will automatically get alt-text (if enabled)

## 📋 Features Overview

### Dashboard
- Usage statistics and credit tracking
- Recent activity log
- Quick action buttons
- Connection status indicator
- Tips and best practices

### Settings
- API key configuration with connection testing
- Auto-generation preferences
- Bulk processing options
- Import/export settings
- Helpful documentation links

### Bulk Processing
- Process images missing alt-text
- Process all images (with overwrite option)
- Select specific images to process
- Real-time progress tracking
- Detailed results and error reporting

### Media Library Integration
- Generate alt-text button in media library
- Context input for better descriptions
- Apply generated text with one click
- Works in both grid and list views

### Usage Logs
- Complete history of all generations
- Search and filter capabilities
- Copy alt-text to clipboard
- Regenerate alt-text for any image
- Export logs to CSV

## 🔧 Advanced Configuration

### Custom Context
You can provide context for better alt-text generation:
- Product photos: "product image"
- Team photos: "team member photo"
- Screenshots: "software interface"
- Artwork: "digital artwork"

### Bulk Processing Tips
- Start with smaller batch sizes (5-10) to test
- Process during low-traffic periods
- Monitor your credit usage
- Review generated alt-text for accuracy

### Performance Optimization
- Use appropriate batch sizes for your server
- Enable auto-generation only if you have sufficient credits
- Consider processing images during maintenance windows

## 🛠️ Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

#### "Invalid API Key" Error
- Verify your API key is correct
- Check that your Alt Text Pro account is active
- Ensure the API key hasn't expired

#### "Connection Failed" Error
- Check your internet connection
- Verify WordPress can make external HTTP requests
- Contact your hosting provider if issues persist

#### "No Credits Remaining" Error
- Check your credit balance in the Alt Text Pro dashboard
- Purchase more credits or upgrade your plan
- Credits reset monthly for subscription plans

#### Images Not Processing
- Ensure images are in supported formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP)
- Check that images aren't too large (max 10MB)
- Verify the attachment ID is valid

### Getting Help
- Check the plugin dashboard for status information
- Review the usage logs for error details
- Visit our documentation at https://www.alt-text.pro/docs
- Contact support at https://www.alt-text.pro/contact

## 📊 Usage Guidelines

### Credit Management
- Free trial: 30 credits
- Starter plan: 500 credits/month
- Pro plan: 2000 credits/month
- Pay-as-you-go: $3 for 50 credits

### Best Practices
1. **Review Generated Text**: Always review AI-generated alt-text for accuracy
2. **Provide Context**: Use the context field for better results
3. **Monitor Usage**: Keep track of your credit consumption
4. **Batch Wisely**: Process images in manageable batches
5. **Stay Updated**: Keep the plugin updated for best performance

### SEO Benefits
- Improved image search rankings
- Better accessibility compliance
- Enhanced user experience
- Increased organic traffic

## 🔒 Security & Privacy

### Data Protection
- Images are processed via encrypted HTTPS
- No images are stored on our servers
- API keys are stored securely in WordPress
- Full GDPR compliance

### Permissions
- Plugin requires `upload_files` capability for image processing
- Settings require `manage_options` capability
- All AJAX requests are nonce-protected

## 📈 Monitoring & Analytics

### Dashboard Metrics
- Total alt-texts generated
- Credits used and remaining
- Processing success rate
- Recent activity timeline

### Usage Logs
- Detailed generation history
- Processing time tracking
- Error reporting and analysis
- Export capabilities for reporting

## 🔄 Updates & Maintenance

### Automatic Updates
- Enable automatic updates in WordPress
- Plugin will notify you of new versions
- Backup your site before major updates

### Manual Updates
- Download new version from Alt Text Pro
- Deactivate current plugin
- Upload new version
- Reactivate plugin

### Backup Recommendations
- Backup your WordPress database before updates
- Export plugin settings before major changes
- Keep a record of your API key

## 🎯 Next Steps

After installation:
1. **Test with a few images** to ensure everything works
2. **Configure auto-generation** based on your needs
3. **Process existing images** using bulk processing
4. **Monitor your usage** and adjust settings as needed
5. **Provide feedback** to help us improve the plugin

## 📞 Support

Need help? We're here for you:
- **Documentation**: https://www.alt-text.pro/docs
- **Support Portal**: https://www.alt-text.pro/contact
- **Feature Requests**: We love hearing your ideas!
- **Community**: Join our user community for tips and tricks

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