# App Localization

> iOS/macOS app localization management for Tuist-based projects with .strings files. Use when: (1) Adding new translation keys to modules, (2) Validating .strings files for missing/duplicate keys, (3) Syncing translations across languages, (4) AI-powered translation from English to other locales, (5) Checking placeholder consistency (%@, %d), (6) Generating localization reports, (7) Updating Swift code to use localized strings instead of hardcoded text.

- Skill: `tddworks/app-localization` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tddworks/app-localization`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tddworks/app-localization/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tddworks (https://skillmd.com/u/tddworks)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tddworks/app-localization

---


# App Localization

Manage iOS/macOS .strings files in Tuist-based projects.

## Project Structure

```
<ModuleName>/
├── Resources/
│   ├── en.lproj/Localizable.strings       # Primary language (English)
│   ├── <locale>.lproj/Localizable.strings # Additional locales
│   └── ...
├── Derived/
│   └── Sources/
│       └── TuistStrings+<ModuleName>.swift  # Generated by Tuist
└── Sources/
    └── **/*.swift  # Uses <ModuleName>Strings.Section.key
```

After editing .strings files, run `tuist generate` to regenerate type-safe accessors.

## Complete Localization Workflow

### Step 1: Identify Hardcoded Strings

Find hardcoded strings in Swift files:
```bash
# Find Text("...") patterns with hardcoded strings
grep -rn 'Text("[A-Z]' <ModuleName>/Sources/
grep -rn 'title: "[A-Z]' <ModuleName>/Sources/
grep -rn 'label: "[A-Z]' <ModuleName>/Sources/
grep -rn 'placeholder: "[A-Z]' <ModuleName>/Sources/
```

### Step 2: Add Translation Keys

Add keys to **all** language files:

**en.lproj/Localizable.strings** (primary):
```
/* Section description */
"section.key.name" = "English value";
"section.key.withParam" = "Value with %@";
```

**Other locales** (translate appropriately):
```
"section.key.name" = "<translated value>";
"section.key.withParam" = "<translated> %@";
```

### Step 3: Generate Type-Safe Accessors

```bash
tuist generate
```

This creates `Derived/Sources/TuistStrings+<ModuleName>.swift` with accessors:
- `<ModuleName>Strings.Section.keyName` (static property)
- `<ModuleName>Strings.Section.keyWithParam(value)` (static function for %@ params)

See [references/tuist-strings-patterns.md](references/tuist-strings-patterns.md) for detailed patterns.

### Step 4: Update Swift Code

Replace hardcoded strings with generated accessors.

#### Pattern Mapping

| Hardcoded Pattern | Localized Pattern |
|-------------------|-------------------|
| `Text("Title")` | `Text(<Module>Strings.Section.title)` |
| `Text("Hello, \(name)")` | `Text(<Module>Strings.Section.hello(name))` |
| `title: "Submit"` | `title: <Module>Strings.Action.submit` |
| `placeholder: "Enter..."` | `placeholder: <Module>Strings.Field.placeholder` |

#### Example Transformations

**Before**:
```swift
Text("Settings")
    .font(.headline)

TextField("Enter your name", text: $name)

Button("Submit") { ... }

Text("Hello, \(userName)!")
```

**After**:
```swift
Text(<Module>Strings.Section.settings)
    .font(.headline)

TextField(<Module>Strings.Field.namePlaceholder, text: $name)

Button(<Module>Strings.Action.submit) { ... }

Text(<Module>Strings.Greeting.hello(userName))
```

#### Handling Parameters and Plurals

**String with parameter** (key: `"search.noResults" = "No results for \"%@\""`):
```swift
// Before
Text("No results for \"\(searchText)\"")

// After
Text(<Module>Strings.Search.noResults(searchText))
```

**Conditional plurals**:
```swift
// Keys:
// "item.count" = "%d item"
// "item.countPlural" = "%d items"

// Swift:
let label = count == 1
    ? <Module>Strings.Item.count(count)
    : <Module>Strings.Item.countPlural(count)
```

**Multiple parameters** (key: `"message.detail" = "%@ uploaded %d files"`):
```swift
Text(<Module>Strings.Message.detail(userName, fileCount))
```

### Step 5: Validate Changes

1. Build the project to catch missing keys
2. Run validation script to check consistency:
```bash
python scripts/validate_strings.py /path/to/<ModuleName>
```

## AI-Powered Translation

When translating strings to non-English locales:

1. Read the English source string
2. Consider context from the key name (e.g., `search.noResults` = search UI)
3. Translate appropriately for the target locale:
   - **zh-Hans**: Simplified Chinese, formal but friendly
   - **zh-Hant**: Traditional Chinese
   - **ja**: Japanese, polite form (desu/masu style)
   - **ko**: Korean, polite form (hamnida/yo style)
   - **de/fr/es/etc.**: Appropriate regional conventions
4. Preserve all placeholders exactly (%@, %d, %ld, etc.)

**Translation context by UI element**:
- Labels: Keep concise
- Buttons: Action-oriented verbs
- Placeholders: Instructive tone
- Error messages: Helpful and clear
- Confirmations: Clear consequences

## Validation Scripts

### Validate .strings Files

```bash
python scripts/validate_strings.py /path/to/<ModuleName>
```

Checks for:
- Missing keys between languages
- Duplicate keys
- Placeholder mismatches (%@, %d, %ld)
- Untranslated strings (value = English)

### Sync Missing Translations

Report missing keys:
```bash
python scripts/sync_translations.py /path/to/<ModuleName> --report
```

Add missing keys as placeholders:
```bash
python scripts/sync_translations.py /path/to/<ModuleName> --sync
```

## Key Naming Convention

Pattern: `"domain.context.element"` → `<Module>Strings.Domain.Context.element`

### Domain-Focused Naming (User Mental Model)

Keys should reflect **what the user is doing**, not technical UI components:

| User Mental Model | Key Pattern | Generated Accessor |
|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|
| "I'm looking at my profile" | `"profile.name"` | `Strings.Profile.name` |
| "I'm testing a build" | `"betaBuild.whatToTest"` | `Strings.BetaBuild.whatToTest` |
| "I'm adding a tester" | `"testerGroup.addTester"` | `Strings.TesterGroup.addTester` |
| "Something went wrong with sync" | `"sync.error.failed"` | `Strings.Sync.Error.failed` |

### Good vs Bad Examples

| Bad (Technical) | Good (Domain-Focused) |
|-----------------|----------------------|
| `button.save` | `profile.save` |
| `field.email` | `registration.email` |
| `placeholder.search` | `appSelector.searchPlaceholder` |
| `error.network` | `sync.connectionFailed` |
| `label.title` | `settings.title` |
| `alert.confirm` | `build.expireConfirm` |

### Structure by Feature/Screen

Organize keys by the feature or screen where they appear:

```
/* Profile Section */
"profile.title" = "Profile";
"profile.name" = "Name";
"profile.save" = "Save Changes";
"profile.saveSuccess" = "Profile updated";

/* Beta Builds */
"betaBuild.title" = "Beta Builds";
"betaBuild.whatToTest" = "What to Test";
"betaBuild.submitForReview" = "Submit for Review";
"betaBuild.expireConfirm" = "Expire this build?";

/* Tester Groups */
"testerGroup.create" = "Create Group";
"testerGroup.addTester" = "Add Tester";
"testerGroup.empty" = "No testers yet";
```

This mirrors how users think: "I'm in Beta Builds, submitting for review" → `betaBuild.submitForReview`

## .strings File Format

```
/* Comment describing the section */
"key.name" = "Value";
"key.with.parameter" = "Hello, %@!";
"key.with.number" = "%d items";
"key.with.multiple" = "%1$@ has %2$d items";
```

Rules:
- Keys must be unique within a file
- Values are UTF-8 encoded
- Escape quotes with backslash: `\"`
- Line ends with semicolon
- Use positional parameters (%1$@, %2$d) when order differs between languages