Support & Help

Get help with Bluesky Alt Text Creator extension. Find answers to common questions, troubleshooting tips, and setup instructions.

Installation

How to install the extension

Setup

Configure your API key

Troubleshooting

Fix common issues

Installation

Install from Chrome Web Store

  1. Visit the Chrome Web Store
  2. Search for "Bluesky Alt Text Creator"
  3. Click "Add to Chrome"
  4. Confirm the installation
  5. The extension icon will appear in your Chrome toolbar

Using the Extension

  1. Go to Bluesky
  2. Create a new post and upload an image
  3. Click on the image or the "ALT" badge to open the alt text modal
  4. Click the ✨ Generate Alt Text button
  5. Wait for the AI to generate a description
  6. Review and edit if needed, then click "Save"

Setup & Configuration

Option 1: Bring Your Own API Key

Use your own API key from Google, OpenAI, or Anthropic. The extension is free to use, but you'll pay your AI provider directly for their service usage. Google Gemini offers a free tier, while OpenAI and Anthropic require paid accounts.

  1. Get an API key from one of these providers:
  2. Click the extension icon in your Chrome toolbar
  3. Click "Settings"
  4. Select your AI provider from the dropdown
  5. Paste your API key in the field
  6. Click "Save Settings"

Note: Your API key is stored locally in Chrome and never synced or shared. It's only sent to your chosen AI provider when generating alt text.

Costs: The extension itself is free. You'll be charged by your AI provider (Google, OpenAI, or Anthropic) based on their pricing for API usage. Google Gemini offers a generous free tier, while OpenAI and Anthropic require paid accounts.

Option 2: Hosted Plan (Easiest)

Subscribe to our hosted plan for a ready-to-use API key with zero setup. Perfect OCR included.

  1. Click the extension icon in your Chrome toolbar
  2. Click "Settings"
  3. Click "Get Hosted Key" to purchase a subscription ($3/month or $20/year)
  4. Check your email for your API key
  5. Copy the key and paste it in the settings
  6. Select "Alt Kit Hosted" as your provider
  7. Click "Save Settings"
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Troubleshooting

The "Generate Alt Text" button doesn't appear

Try these solutions:

  • Make sure you're on bsky.app (the extension only works on Bluesky)
  • Refresh the page (press F5 or Cmd+R / Ctrl+R)
  • Check that the extension is enabled in chrome://extensions/
  • Make sure you've uploaded an image before trying to generate alt text
  • Try disabling and re-enabling the extension
"Could not find image" error

This usually happens when:

  • No image has been uploaded yet - make sure to upload an image first
  • The image hasn't finished loading - wait a moment and try again
  • You're trying to generate alt text for an image from a URL - try uploading the image directly instead
  • Bluesky's interface has changed - try refreshing the page
API errors or "Invalid API key" message

Check these common issues:

  • Verify your API key: Make sure you copied the entire key without any extra spaces
  • Check provider match: Ensure the selected provider matches your API key (Google key = Google provider, etc.)
  • Check quota/limits: Your API provider may have reached its usage limit or quota
  • Internet connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection
  • Try a different provider: Switch to another AI provider to test if the issue is provider-specific
  • Regenerate key: If using Google Gemini, try generating a new API key
Generated alt text is inaccurate or missing text

Tips for better results:

  • For screenshots with text, the OCR should extract all text automatically
  • If text is missing, try using the Hosted Plan which has enhanced OCR capabilities
  • You can always edit the generated alt text before saving
  • For complex images, consider adding context manually after generation
Extension settings are not saving

Try these fixes:

  • Make sure you've selected a provider before entering the API key
  • Check that your API key is valid and properly formatted
  • Try clearing Chrome's cache and cookies for the extension
  • Disable and re-enable the extension
  • Check Chrome's storage permissions for the extension

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my API key secure?
Yes. Your API key is stored locally in Chrome's storage and is never synced or shared. It's only sent directly to your chosen AI provider when generating alt text. We don't have access to your keys.
Are my images stored or shared?
No. Images are processed only to generate alt text and are immediately discarded. We don't store, share, or analyze your images. Images are sent directly to your chosen AI provider's API and not stored by us.
What's the difference between free and paid?

Both options give you the same features. The extension itself is always free to use.

Bring Your Own Key: You pay your AI provider directly for their service usage. Google Gemini offers a free tier, while OpenAI and Anthropic require paid accounts.

Hosted Plan: $3/month or $20/year for a ready-to-use API key with enhanced OCR capabilities. We handle all AI provider costs, so you pay one flat fee regardless of usage.

Does it work with screenshots and memes?
Yes! Our OCR accurately extracts text from screenshots, memes, and infographics. The AI then creates a description that includes both the visual content and all extracted text. The Hosted Plan has enhanced OCR for even better text extraction.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Absolutely. You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. You'll continue to have access until the end of your billing period. After cancellation, you can still use the extension with your own API key.
Which AI provider should I use?
  • Google Gemini: Free tier available, good for getting started
  • OpenAI GPT-4: Excellent quality, requires paid API access
  • Anthropic Claude: Great for detailed descriptions, requires paid API access
  • Alt Kit Hosted: Easiest option with enhanced OCR, perfect for screenshots and memes

Still Need Help?

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