i18n-localization

name	i18n-localization
description	Internationalization and localization patterns. Detecting hardcoded strings, managing translations, locale files, RTL support.
allowed-tools	Read, Glob, Grep

i18n & Localization (Laravel)

Best practices for Laravel localization.

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1. Laravel Localization Basics

Laravel provides two ways to manage translations:

Short Keys (lang/en/messages.php)

Good for large apps with structured text.

// lang/en/messages.php
return [
    'welcome' => 'Welcome to our application',
];

// Usage
echo __('messages.welcome');

JSON Strings (lang/en.json)

Good for prototyping or smaller apps.

// lang/en.json
{
    "I love programming.": "Eu amo programar."
}

// Usage
echo __('I love programming.');

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2. Implementation Patterns

Blade Templates

{{-- Standard --}}
<h1>{{ __('messages.welcome') }}</h1>

{{-- Direct Directive --}}
@lang('auth.failed')

{{-- With Replacements --}}
<p>{{ __('Welcome, :name', ['name' => $user->name]) }}</p>

{{-- Pluralization --}}
<p>{{ trans_choice('messages.apples', 10) }}</p>

Controllers / PHP

// Helper
$message = __('messages.saved');

// Facade
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Lang;
$message = Lang::get('messages.saved');

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3. Recommended Packages

For robust localization management, don't reinvent the wheel.

laravel-lang/common

Official translations for validation, auth, and pagination messages in 75+ languages.

composer require laravel-lang/common --dev
php artisan lang:update

laravel-lang/publisher

Easily publish and manage language files.

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4. Helper Script

The kit includes a simple script to detect hardcoded strings in Blade templates.

php .agent/skills/i18n-localization/scripts/i18n_checker.php resources/views

This will scan your views and report strings that look like text but aren't wrapped in translation helpers.

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5. Security Checklist

• Use __() for output to ensure it goes through the translation layer (and escaping).
• Don't trust user input in translation keys.
• Be careful with {!! !!} when displaying translations containing HTML.

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