Alemedia
WebP and JPEG XL copies of every upload, served to browsers that accept them, plus a media library with folders.
Alemedia
At a glance
Version
0.4.2
Released
Released 2026-10-21
License
GPLv2 or later
WordPress
6.5 or newer
PHP
8.1 or newer
Alemedia
What does it do?
First five minutes
What do I do right after activating?
A first result before you read anything else.
1. Upload an image
Go to Media → Add New and upload a JPEG or PNG. Alemedia writes a .webp sibling next to it and each thumbnail.
2. Check the served format
Open the image URL in your browser, then look at the response in the Network tab of the developer tools: the content type reads image/webp (or image/jxl).
3. Convert older images
Under Media → Alemedia, run the bulk conversion for everything uploaded before the plugin was active.
4. Make folders
Open Media → Library, add a folder and drag images into it. File paths do not change.
How it works
How does the browser get the smaller file?
The browser asks for the file it has always asked for. The server answers with the best format it can prove the browser accepts. This part needs Apache or LiteSpeed: see What does it need? below.
1. Upload
wp_generate_attachment_metadata runs. Alemedia writes photo.jpg.webp and, with cjxl present, photo.jpg.jxl beside photo.jpg and each thumbnail.
2. Request
The page still references photo.jpg. The browser sends Accept: image/jxl or image/webp alongside the request.
3. Rewrite
The .htaccess block checks the Accept header and that the sibling file exists, then serves it with the right content type.
4. Vary
A Vary: Accept header is appended, so proxies and CDNs cache one copy per format instead of mixing them up.
Install
How do I install it?
Two routes. Either one takes about a minute: a download, an upload and a click on Activate.
With Git Plugin
In your WordPress admin, open Plugins, click Git Plugin, paste the repository URL and click Install, then Activate.
https://git.web9.live/pcgraphics/alemedia
Upload the zip
Download the zip, then in Plugins click Add New Plugin, then Upload Plugin. Choose the zip, click Install Now, then Activate.
What does it need?
How do I update it?
Alemedia checks its repository for a newer release tag. A new version shows up under Dashboard → Updates next to your other plugins; click Update. If you uploaded the zip by hand, install Git Plugin to get the same update checks.
Is it really free?
GPLv2 or later, public repository, no paid tier, no license keys, no account. Use it on as many sites as you like, yours or your clients'.
Found a bug?
Open an issue on the repository. Say what you did, what you expected and what happened, and the plugin and WordPress versions from At a glance.
Works with
The rest of the set
Each plugin stands on its own. Together they cover building, forms, media, backups, admin and updates.
Want them preinstalled?
On Web9 hosting these are already installed, $12 per site per month.