This technical markup audit tool inspects raw HTML source code to extract image elements and verify their `alt` alternative text attributes. Alternative text is required by WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards so screen readers can describe visual assets to visually impaired users, while also providing critical semantic context for Google Image search indexing.

### Parser Mechanics & Status Classifications The audit tool parses pasted HTML markup using client-side regular expressions (`/<img[^>]*>/gi`), extracting the `src` source path and `alt` attribute for every image tag:

- **Valid Descriptive Alt Text:** The tag contains `alt="..."` with meaningful descriptive text. The tool outputs: `[src]: [descriptive text]`. - **Empty Alt Attribute:** The tag contains an empty attribute (`alt=""`). The tool outputs: `[src]: ⚠️ Empty alt`. *Note:* Empty alt attributes are valid only for purely decorative divider images or spacers, signalling assistive screen readers to bypass the element entirely. - **Missing Alt Attribute:** The tag completely lacks an `alt` attribute. The tool outputs: `[src]: ❌ Missing alt`. Missing alt attributes represent an immediate WCAG Level A accessibility violation and hurt technical SEO audits. - **Zero Images Found:** If the pasted markup contains no `<img>` tags, the tool reports `No images found`.

### Concrete Audit Example Pasting the following HTML snippet: ```html <img src="/hero-banner.jpg" alt="Developer working on code at modern desk"> <img src="/decor-line.png" alt=""> <img src="/product-thumb.png"> ```

**Generated Audit Report:** 1. `/hero-banner.jpg: Developer working on code at modern desk` 2. `/decor-line.png: ⚠️ Empty alt` 3. `/product-thumb.png: ❌ Missing alt`

### Client-Side Processing Note All regular expression parsing and text extraction execute locally in your web browser. No source code, page templates, or proprietary HTML files are sent across a network.