Fix media uploads without alt text

migrations/20260918_020000_media_alt_optional.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { MigrateDownArgs, MigrateUpArgs, sql } from "@payloadcms/db-postgres";
+
+/** Allows image uploads without requiring accessibility metadata at upload time. */
+export async function up({ db }: MigrateUpArgs): Promise<void> {
+  await db.execute(sql`
+    ALTER TABLE "media" ALTER COLUMN "alt" DROP NOT NULL;
+  `);
+}
+
+export async function down({ db }: MigrateDownArgs): Promise<void> {
+  await db.execute(sql`
+    UPDATE "media" SET "alt" = '' WHERE "alt" IS NULL;
+    ALTER TABLE "media" ALTER COLUMN "alt" SET NOT NULL;
+  `);
+}

migrations/index.ts

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import * as migration_20260826_004425 from './20260826_004425';
 import * as migration_20260916_192252_cookie_settings from './20260916_192252_cookie_settings';
 import * as migration_20260917_090000_contact_details from './20260917_090000_contact_details';
 import * as migration_20260917_154000_communication_and_groups from './20260917_154000_communication_and_groups';
+import * as migration_20260918_020000_media_alt_optional from './20260918_020000_media_alt_optional';
 
 export const migrations = [
   {
@@ -24,4 +25,9 @@ export const migrations = [
     down: migration_20260917_154000_communication_and_groups.down,
     name: '20260917_154000_communication_and_groups'
   },
+  {
+    up: migration_20260918_020000_media_alt_optional.up,
+    down: migration_20260918_020000_media_alt_optional.down,
+    name: '20260918_020000_media_alt_optional'
+  },
 ];