localization-setup

# Localization Setup Generator Generate internationalization (i18n) infrastructure for multi-language support in iOS/macOS apps. ## When This Skill Activates - User wants to localize their app for multiple languages - User mentions i18n, internationalization, or localization - User asks about String Catalogs or .strings files - User wants to support RTL (right-to-left) languages ## Pre-Generation Checks Before generating, verify: 1. **Existing Localization** ```bash # Check for existing localization files find . -name "*.xcstrings" -o -name "Localizable.strings" 2>/dev/null | head -5 find . -name "*.lproj" -type d 2>/dev/null | head -5 ``` 2. **Deployment Target** ```bash # String Catalogs require iOS 16+ / macOS 13+ grep -r "IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET\|MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET" *.xcodeproj 2>/dev/null ``` 3. **Project Structure** ```bash # Find project for adding localization find . -name "*.xcodeproj" | head -1 ``` ## Configuration Questions ### 1. Localization Approach - **String Catalogs** (Recommended, iOS 16+) - Modern, visual editor in Xcode - **Legacy .strings** - Traditional approach, all iOS versions ### 2. Initial Languages - English (en) - default - Which additional languages? (e.g., es, de, fr, ja, zh-Hans) ### 3. Features - **Pluralization** - Handle "1 item" vs "2 items" - **Device-specific** - Different strings for iPhone/iPad/Mac - **SwiftUI Preview** - Preview in different locales ## Generated Files ### String Catalogs (Recommended) ``` Resources/ └── Localizable.xcstrings # String catalog with all translations ``` ### Supporting Code ``` Sources/Localization/ ├── LocalizedStrings.swift # Type-safe string access ├── LocalizationManager.swift # Runtime language switching └── LocalizedPreview.swift # SwiftUI preview helpers ``` ## Key Features ### Type-Safe String Access ```swift // Generated enum for type-safe access enum L10n { static let appName = String(localized: "app_name") static let welcomeMessage = String(localized: "welcome_message") enum Settings { static let title = String(localized: "settings_title") static let language = String(localized: "settings_language") } } // Usage Text(L10n.appName) Text(L10n.Settings.title) ``` ### Pluralization ```swift // In String Catalog, define plural rules // key: "items_count" // variations: // - zero: "No items" // - one: "1 item" // - other: "%lld items" Text(String(localized: "items_count \(count)", defaultValue: "\(count) items")) ``` ### String Interpolation ```swift // In String Catalog: // key: "greeting" // value: "Hello, %@!" let name = "Alice" Text(String(localized: "greeting \(name)")) ``` ### Runtime Language Switching ```swift // Preview in different locale struct ContentView_Previews: PreviewProvider { static var previews: some View { ContentView() .environment(\.locale, Locale(identifier: "es")) } } ``` ## Integration Steps ### 1. Add String Catalog 1. In Xcode: File > New > File 2. Choose "String Catalog" 3. Name it "Localizable.xcstrings" 4. Add to your app target ### 2. Add Supported Languages 1. Select project in navigator 2. Info tab > Localizations 3. Click + to add languages ### 3. Migrate Existing Strings If migrating from .strings files: 1. Right-click .strings file 2. "Migrate to String Catalog..." ### 4. Use in SwiftUI ```swift // Automatic localization Text("Hello, World!") // Uses String Catalog automatically // Explicit localized string Text(String(localized: "custom_key")) // With type-safe enum (generated) Text(L10n.welcomeMessage) ``` ### 5. Use in UIKit ```swift label.text = String(localized: "hello_world") // or label.text = NSLocalizedString("hello_world", comment: "Greeting") ``` ## Best Practices ### Key Naming Conventions ``` // Good: Descriptive, hierarchical "settings.appearance.theme" "onboarding.step1.title" "error.network.connection_failed" // Avoid: Vague or hardcoded text as key "button1" "Hello, World!" ``` ### Comments for Translators ```swift String(localized: "delete_confirmation", comment: "Alert message asking user to confirm deletion") ``` ### Formatting ```swift // Numbers - Use FormatStyle Text(price, format: .currency(code: "USD")) // Dates - Use FormatStyle Text(date, format: .dateTime.month().day()) // Lists - Use ListFormatStyle Text(items, format: .list(type: .and)) ``` ### RTL Support ```swift // Automatic with SwiftUI // For manual layout adjustments: .environment(\.layoutDirection, .rightToLeft) ``` ## Testing Localization ### In Xcode 1. Edit Scheme > Run > Options 2. Set "App Language" to test language 3. Set "App Region" for number/date formatting ### In SwiftUI Previews ```swift #Preview { ContentView() .environment(\.locale, Locale(identifier: "ja")) } ``` ### Export for Translation 1. Product > Export Localizations... 2. Share .xliff files with translators 3. Import translated .xliff files ## References - [String Catalogs](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/localizing-and-varying-text-with-a-string-catalog) - [Localization Guide](https://developer.apple.com/localization/) - [Formatting Numbers and Dates](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundation/formatstyle)