Design & Creative Tools · Alttext ai + Claude
AltText.ai MCP with Claude: Automate Image Alt Text for Accessibility and SEO
The short answer
Claude works with AltText.ai through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a secure standard that lets Claude use the tool with permissions you control. Once connected, Claude can generate descriptive alt text for images, update image metadata and check which images still lack descriptions, all from a plain-language request.
What is Alttext ai?
AltText.ai is a service that generates alt text for images automatically. Alt text is the short written description that screen readers use for visually impaired people and that search engines use to understand images. Marketing teams, website managers, e-commerce operators, publishers and accessibility leads typically use it to describe large image libraries without writing each description by hand.
How Claude connects to Alttext ai through MCP
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets Claude securely use other software. Think of it as a universal adapter between Claude and the tool. For AltText.ai, the connection is made with an API key, which identifies your account and limits what Claude can access.
Once connected, Claude can typically read image records, request descriptive alt text for images, update image metadata and audit which images in your library have no alt text or weak descriptions. You make requests in ordinary language, such as asking for a coverage report on a product catalogue.
Permissions and approvals keep your team in charge. Access is set to the least level needed for the task, and actions that change live content can be routed to a person for review before they are applied. Every action can be logged so you can see what was changed and when.
What you can automate
Accessibility audits for websites
An accessibility lead asks Claude to list every image on the site that lacks alt text or has a generic filename as its description. Claude produces a prioritised report by page and section. The team can then generate draft descriptions, review the most important pages first and close gaps before a compliance review or client audit.
Product catalogue descriptions
An e-commerce manager asks Claude to generate alt text for new product photographs and update the catalogue. Descriptions can mention colour, material and angle, which helps shoppers using screen readers and can improve how product images appear in search results. A person spot-checks a sample before the batch goes live.
Publishing and editorial archives
A content team with thousands of archived article images uses Claude to identify images missing descriptions and generate draft alt text in batches. Editors review drafts by section, so the archive gains accessibility coverage without a large temporary staffing increase.
Marketing campaign assets
A marketing coordinator asks Claude to check that every image in a new campaign folder has descriptive alt text before the landing pages are published. Claude reports gaps and proposes wording that matches the campaign's tone, and the coordinator approves the final text.
Ongoing coverage monitoring
An operations manager schedules a regular request asking Claude for a coverage summary of image metadata across key sites. The summary shows trends over time, so the team can see whether new uploads are being described and act quickly when coverage drops.
An end-to-end workflow: New product launch with accessibility checks
TriggerA product manager uploads a new set of product photographs to the company's digital asset folder.
Claude reviews the new images and checks whether each one already has alt text in AltText.ai.
Claude generates draft descriptions for images without alt text, covering the product, colour and visible details.
The draft descriptions are shared with the product team in Microsoft 365 for a quick review and approval.
Approved descriptions are written back to the image metadata, and the change is logged.
Claude adds a short coverage summary to the launch ticket in the project system so the team can confirm the launch is complete.
OutcomeLaunch pages go live with complete image descriptions, supporting accessibility and search visibility, and the team has a clear record of who approved each change. Results vary by catalogue and workflow.
How we set it up
Free automation audit
We review your image libraries, websites and publishing workflows to find where alt text gaps cost time or create accessibility risk. You receive a clear list of the workflows worth automating, at no charge.
Secure connection with an API key
We connect Claude to AltText.ai using your API key, stored in a secure vault. Access is limited to the permissions the task needs, and the key can be rotated or revoked at any time.
Workflow design
We design the end-to-end process across AltText.ai and your other systems, such as Microsoft 365, your content management system or ticketing tool. People approve any action that changes live content.
Testing on real examples
We test the workflow on past images and descriptions, checking accuracy, tone and edge cases such as decorative images. We refine the process until your team is satisfied with the output.
Launch, monitoring and training
We launch with audit logs and monitoring in place, then train your team on making requests and reviewing results. Support continues as your image library and needs grow.
Who benefits
- Accessibility lead
- Gets a clear, prioritised view of image coverage and can close gaps faster.
- E-commerce or marketing manager
- Publishes product and campaign pages with complete descriptions without slowing launches.
- Web or content manager
- Keeps archives and new uploads described with less manual effort.
- IT or department head
- Gets a controlled, logged connection that fits existing security rules.
Security and control
- Least-privilege access: Claude only sees and changes what each task requires.
- Human approval for changes to live content before they are published.
- Secure storage of the API key, with the ability to rotate or revoke it.
- Audit logs of requests and updates so every change can be traced.
- Review of generated descriptions for accuracy, tone and sensitive content.
For teams in the US, UK, India and the Middle East
Organisations in the United States and the United Kingdom can host the connected workflow in their chosen region to support their data handling requirements. In India, workflows can be designed to meet the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Organisations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia can align data handling with local data protection laws. Hosting region is chosen during design to meet each organisation's specific requirements.
Learn more about Claude and MCP
Anthropic's AI model and assistant.
Secure links between Claude and business tools.
How engineers build and change software with Claude.
Hosted agents that run multi-step work.
The open standard Claude uses to connect to tools.
Frequently asked questions
What does the AltText.ai MCP server do?
The MCP server is the secure bridge that lets Claude use AltText.ai. It allows Claude to request alt text for images, read image metadata and update records, following the permissions you set. It replaces manual copying between tools with requests made in plain language.
Is connecting AltText.ai to Claude secure?
The connection uses your API key, with access limited to the tasks you approve. Keys are stored securely and can be rotated or revoked. Changes to live content can require human approval, and audit logs record activity so you can review what happened.
What can Claude do with AltText.ai once connected?
Typically, Claude can generate descriptive alt text, update image metadata and audit which images lack descriptions. You can ask for coverage reports, batch descriptions for a folder or a summary of recent uploads, all in ordinary language.
How long does setup take?
Timing depends on the size of your image libraries and the number of systems involved. A simple connection for one site can be quick, while a multi-system workflow with testing and training takes longer. We confirm a timeline after the free automation audit.
Which plan or permissions are needed?
Generally, you need an active AltText.ai account that can issue an API key, plus permission within your organisation to create and manage that key. Your specific plan and access levels should be confirmed with your AltText.ai account before setup begins.