skill-alttext

name	skill-alttext
description	Authoritative style rules for writing accessibility alt text in Qt documentation, including priority order, formatting rules, and terminology guidelines. Use when adding alt text to images.
metadata	{"version":"1.3"}

Alt Text Style Directive for Qt Documentation

Priority Order for Options

1. Option 1 (Recommended): Include visible text/labels/icons from the image
2. Option 2: Context-focused (purpose/behavior/state from image or surrounding documentation)
3. Option 3: Generic visual description

Formatting Rules

• Replace \borderedimage with \image
• Alt text in curly braces {...} on same line as image command
• If same line exceeds 80 columns, put alt text on next line indented to align with the filename
• In table rows, align \li commands vertically under each other
• 80-column limit for all lines

QUIP 21 Technical Specifications

Reference: QUIP 21 - Using images in Qt documentation

File Format

Format	Use Case	Notes
WebP	Preferred for all images	Smaller file size
PNG	Acceptable alternative	Use optipng to optimize
JPEG	Photos, complex images	Lossy compression
GIF	Animated images	Or lossless WebP
SVG	Vector graphics	Scalable

File Size

• Recommended: < 50 KiB
• Git post-commit hooks warn if images exceed this limit
• Crop to include only relevant content
• Use WebP format for smaller size

Screenshot Requirements

Spec	Requirement
Resolution	1920x1080 pixels
Display scaling	100%
Content	Only necessary screen portions
Processing	Do not resize; CSS auto-scales > 800px width
Highlighting	Use number icons from qtdoc/doc/images/numbers/

Icon Requirements

• Grayscale images with transparent background
• Ensures visibility in light and dark documentation modes
• Use qttools/util/recolordocsicons/recolordocsicons.py for problematic icons

Image Location

Images must be in a directory listed in the module's .qdocconf file:

imagedirs += images \
             ../images \
             ../../examples/quick/doc/images

Verification: If \image myfile.webp fails, check:

1. File exists in repository
2. File is in a path listed in imagedirs
3. Path is relative to qdocconf location

Terminology

• Use common/generic terms (e.g., "check boxes", "delay button", "switch", "scroll bar", "tab bar", "tool bar")
• NOT Qt control names (e.g., NOT "CheckBox", "DelayButton", "Switch", "ScrollBar", "TabBar", "ToolBar")
• Use lowercase for control names in alt text
• Use terms from the surrounding context when available

Content Guidelines

• Include visible text, labels, or icons when present (Option 1)
• Describe state or behavior when visible (e.g., "in selected state", "showing partial completion")
• Consider surrounding documentation context
• Describe what users observe, not implementation details
• Focus on behavior and purpose relevant to the section
• Alt text should align with the topic of the surrounding section or paragraph - if the section discusses "baked lightmaps", mention "baked lightmap" in the alt text; if discussing "antialiasing modes", reference "antialiasing" in the alt text

W3C Alt Text Decision Tree

Use these questions to determine alt text approach:

Question	If Yes
Does image contain text?	Include text in alt (unless text appears nearby → decorative)
Is image in a link/button?	Describe the destination or action
Does image contribute meaning?	Brief description conveying the meaning
Is it purely decorative?	Empty alt attribute (rare in Qt docs)

For complex graphics (charts, diagrams, flowcharts): Include detailed information elsewhere on the page if alt text alone cannot convey the full meaning.

Microsoft Alt Text Guidelines

Do:

• Keep concise: 1-2 sentences maximum
• Convey content AND purpose of the image
• Include context: setting, emotions, colors, relative sizes when relevant
• For charts/diagrams: describe the insight, not just the format
  • Good: "Sales increased 25% in Q3"
  • Bad: "Bar chart showing sales"
• For flowcharts: describe beginning point, progress, and conclusion

Don't:

• Start with prefix anti-patterns (see list below)
• Use file names or URLs as alt text
• Repeat surrounding text verbatim
• Write generic/unhelpful descriptions

Prefix Anti-Patterns (NEVER USE)

These prefixes describe what the image IS, not what it SHOWS. Never use them:

Anti-Pattern	Example (WRONG)
"Screenshot of"	"Screenshot of the settings dialog"
"Screenshot showing"	"Screenshot showing the toolbar"
"Illustration of"	"Illustration of the node graph"
"Illustration showing"	"Illustration showing the effect"
"Image of"	"Image of the application window"
"Picture of"	"Picture of the code editor"
"Photo of"	"Photo of the hardware"
"A graphic of"	"A graphic of the workflow"
"An image of"	"An image of the result"

Correct approach: Start directly with what the image shows:

• ❌ "Screenshot of the settings dialog with padding options"
• ✅ "Settings dialog with padding options"
• ❌ "Illustration showing a node graph"
• ✅ "Node graph with Main, BlurHelper, and Output nodes"

Apply this rule to both original AND suggested replacement text.

Decorative images: Mark as decorative (empty alt); screen readers skip them. Most Qt documentation images are informative, not decorative.

Common Review Corrections (reinforcements)

Recurring fixes from real reviews. These reinforce the rules above — apply them before submitting, and to suggested replacement text.

1. Avoid rendering/drawing-API verbs. Describe the visible result in plain terms, not the API operation. (Sibling to the "no Qt class names" rule.)

   • ❌ "Square outline stroked in dark teal" → ✅ "Dark teal square outline"
   • ❌ "Green square filled and stroked with an outline" → ✅ "Filled green square with a dark teal outline"
   • "stroked" → outline / outlined; keep "filled" only when plain and needed.

2. Classify the image type first — a literal screenshot/scene, or a schematic diagram / chart / sequence? Frame diagrams as diagrams and describe the relationship or insight, not a literal scene (see the Wireframes and Diagrams pattern).

   • ❌ "Two devices over the Earth with a magnet nearby"
   • ✅ "Diagram comparing geomagnetic readings, with the axes aligned to the Magnetic North Pole, against raw readings skewed by a nearby magnet"

3. Prefer the shortest accurate description. Omit non-essential detail and redundancy; favor brevity over completeness.

   • Drop unneeded orientation words ("upright"), element/color counts, and redundancies ("baseline lines" → "baselines"; "wavy sine line" → "sine wave").
   • Avoid uncommon/jargon adjectives ("monoblock device" → "device").

4. For example-output images, cross-check the example code. When the image shows the result of a code snippet, read the snippet to get the exact geometry before describing it — number of curves vs. straight edges, which corners are rounded (and by how much), how many arcs/segments.

   • ❌ "Green leaf bounded by a quadratic curve and a straight edge" (the code draws two quadraticCurveTo calls) → ✅ "Pointed green leaf shape formed by two quadratic curves"
   • ❌ "Square with only its bottom-right corner rounded" (radii were 0,40,20,80) → ✅ "Green square with a sharp top-left corner and three rounded corners of differing radius"

5. Read visible text literally. Transcribe on-screen text exactly; don't substitute a placeholder (e.g., handwriting recognizing "hello", not "Abc").

Alt Text Patterns by Content Type

1. Example Page Main Images

Context: Example pages (\example command) show running applications Pattern: {[Key feature/object] with [interactive controls/elements]} Priority: Option 1 (visible UI elements) + Option 2 (demonstrated feature) Guidelines:

• Describe what the running example shows visually
• Focus on the feature being demonstrated
• Mention key interactive controls if visible
• Keep concise - avoid overly detailed UI descriptions Examples:

{Qt logo with three light types and lighting controls}
{Space scene with asteroid field and two spaceships}
{Three stacked Qt logo layers with layer toggle checkboxes}

2. Tutorial/Guide Screenshots

Pattern: {[UI description] with/showing [visible elements and interactions]} Priority: Option 1 (visible text/elements) + Option 2 (behavior) Examples:

{Window with toolbar containing dark mode toggle and buttons}
{Chat messages displaying timestamps below message text}
{Navigation between contact list and conversation pages}

3. Control Demonstration Images

Pattern: {[Control name] [behavior/state description]} Priority: Option 2 (behavior/state) Examples:

{Button in various interaction states}
{Switch control in on and off states}
{Delay button with progress indicator filling on long press}

4. Customization Examples

Pattern: {Custom styled [control]} or {Custom styled [control] with [notable feature]} Priority: Option 2 (context - customization section) Examples:

{Custom styled button}
{Custom styled menu bar with File and Edit menus}
{Custom styled progress bar showing partial completion}

5. Style Assets (Imagine Style)

Pattern: {[ControlName] [element] [state] asset} Note: Uses Qt class names because these match asset file naming conventions Priority: Option 3 (generic - technical asset reference) Examples:

{Button background pressed asset}
{CheckBox indicator checked focused asset}
{Switch indicator hovered asset}
{CheckDelegate indicator partial checked pressed asset}

6. Wireframes and Diagrams

Pattern: {[Type] wireframe/diagram/layout showing [structure/elements]} Priority: Option 2 (context/structure) Examples:

{Stack view wireframe showing page navigation}
{Window layout with Menu bar, Header, Content area, and Footer}
{Page wireframe with header, content area, and footer}

7. Technical/9-Patch Images

Pattern: {[Subject] showing [technical aspect]} Priority: Option 2 (technical context) Examples:

{Button background 9-patch image showing stretch and padding lines}
{Diagram showing 9-patch line color requirements}
{Diagram showing popup property inheritance}

Terminology Special Cases

When Qt Class Names Are Acceptable:

1. Visible text labels: When the control displays the class name as text

   {Tool button labeled ToolButton}
   

2. Asset file documentation: In Imagine style asset tables where names match file patterns

   {CheckBox indicator asset}
   {RadioButton indicator checked asset}
   

3. Technical wireframes: When describing a specific control type's layout in technical documentation

   {ScrollView layout showing scrollable content area with scroll bars}
   

   Note: Use sparingly; prefer generic terms when possible

When to Use Generic Terms:

All other contexts use lowercase generic terms:

• "check boxes", "radio buttons", "combo box", "spin box"
• "scroll bar", "scroll view", "tab bar", "tool bar"
• "switch", "slider", "dial", "button"

Example: Standalone Image

\image qtquickcontrols-button-custom.png {Custom styled button}

\image qtquickcontrols-switch.png
       {Switch control labeled Switch in off state}

The first example fits within 80 columns on one line. The second wraps to the next line with the alt text aligned to the filename.

Example: Table with Rows

\table
\header
    \li {1,2} \b {Key}
    \li {1,2} \b {Value}
\row
    \li \inlineimage qtquickcontrols-button-normal.png
        {Button in normal state}
    \li A button in the normal state.
\row
    \li \inlineimage qtquickcontrols-button-pressed.png
        {Button in pressed state}
    \li A button in the pressed state.
\endtable

Indentation pattern in tables:

• \row at base indentation
• \li commands aligned vertically
• Alt text on same line, or next line (aligned with filename) if exceeds 80 columns

Line Length Management

If the line exceeds 80 columns: move alt text to the next line, indented to align with the filename. If still too long, shorten words or remove non-essential words.

QDoc Configuration: Enforcing Alt Text

The reportmissingalttextforimages Flag

QDoc provides a configuration flag to enforce alt text on all images:

reportmissingalttextforimages = true

What it does:

• Reports a warning for any \image or \inlineimage without alt text
• Warning format: \inlineimage filename.png is without a textual description, QDoc will not generate an alt text for the image.
• When combined with warninglimit = 0, the build will fail until all images have alt text

Current status in qtbase:

• ✅ Enabled: src/widgets/doc/qtwidgets.qdocconf
• ❌ Not enabled: Most other modules (including qtsql, qtgui, qtcore, etc.)

Location in QDoc source:

• Flag definition: qttools/src/qdoc/qdoc/src/qdoc/config.cpp:81-82
• Warning generation: qttools/src/qdoc/qdoc/src/qdoc/docparser.cpp:1784-1788

To enable for a module: Add reportmissingalttextforimages = true to the module's .qdocconf file (e.g., qtsql.qdocconf, qtgui.qdocconf).

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Alt Text Review Checklist

When reviewing or creating patches for Qt documentation alt text, ALWAYS check:

1. Alt Text Content and Formatting

• ✅ Alt text follows priority order (visible text → context/behavior → generic description)
• ✅ Uses generic terminology, not Qt class names (unless exceptions apply)
• ✅ NO PREFIX ANTI-PATTERNS - Not starting with:
  • "Screenshot of/showing", "Illustration of/showing"
  • "Image of", "Picture of", "Photo of", "A graphic of"
• ✅ Active voice, not passive constructions
• ✅ 80-column limit compliance
• ✅ Alt text on same line, or next line (indented) if exceeds 80 columns
• ✅ SUGGESTED FIXES also checked - Apply same rules to replacement text

2. Image Verification ⚠️ CRITICAL - DO NOT SKIP

ALWAYS view images to verify alt text accuracy. Do not rely on filenames alone.

Why this matters:

• Filenames can be misleading or wrong
• Alt text must describe what users actually see
• Copy-paste errors can swap descriptions between similar images
• Accuracy errors mislead screen reader users

Verification process:

1. Locate the image file using Glob: **/doc/images/{filename}
2. Read the image using the Read tool (supports PNG, JPG, WebP)
3. Compare visual content against the proposed alt text
4. Check for swapped descriptions when multiple similar images appear together

Common accuracy errors to catch:

• Wrong gradient type (linear vs radial vs conical)
• Wrong spread mode (pad vs repeat vs reflect)
• Wrong join style (bevel vs miter vs round)
• Wrong cap style (square vs flat vs round)
• Wrong state (pressed vs normal vs disabled)
• Swapped descriptions between adjacent images in tables

Example verification:

Image: qpen-roundjoin.png
Alt text claims: "miter joins"
Visual shows: rounded corners at line joins
Result: ❌ ACCURACY ERROR - should say "round joins"

Remote Image Verification

When images aren't available locally (e.g., reviewing Gerrit patches for other repos):

Method 1 - Published docs (preferred):

# Most Qt example images are published to doc-snapshots
WebFetch https://doc-snapshots.qt.io/qt6-dev/images/{filename}

Method 2 - Clone repository:

git clone --depth 1 https://code.qt.io/qt/{repo}.git /tmp/{repo}
# Then use Read tool on /tmp/{repo}/examples/.../doc/images/{filename}

Method 3 - Gerrit raw file API:

# For files in the patch itself
curl -s "https://codereview.qt-project.org/changes/{change-id}/revisions/current/files/{encoded-path}/content" | base64 -d

If ALL methods fail:

• Explicitly state in review: "⚠️ IMAGE VERIFICATION BLOCKED - unable to access images. Alt text accuracy UNVERIFIED."
• Do NOT silently skip this step
• Proceed with other checks but flag that accuracy is unverified

Orchestrator responsibility: The orchestrator (Claude Code) should check image availability BEFORE dispatching to the agent and include access instructions in the agent prompt. See CLAUDE.md "Image Verification Context" section.

3. QDoc Configuration ⚠️ CRITICAL - DO NOT FORGET

• ✅ Check if reportmissingalttextforimages = true is in the module's .qdocconf file
• ✅ If missing, add it to the patch along with alt text changes
• ✅ Add after warninglimit = 0 with blank line and comment:

  # Enforce zero documentation warnings
  warninglimit = 0
  
  # Report warnings for images without alt text
  reportmissingalttextforimages = true
  

Why this matters: Without this flag, the module won't enforce alt text on future images. Any alt text improvement patch should enable enforcement to prevent regression.

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External References

• W3C WAI Alt Text Decision Tree
• Microsoft: Everything you need to know to write effective alt text
• QUIP 21: Using images in Qt documentation

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This directive covers all patterns found in Qt Quick Controls documentation and ensures consistency across all alt text additions.