| name | astro-i18n |
| description | Internationalization patterns for Astro sites. Multi-language routing, content translation, locale switching, RTL support. Use for multi-market lead generation. |
Astro i18n Skill
Purpose
Provides internationalization patterns for lead generation sites targeting multiple markets/languages. Implements URL-based routing (/en/, /de/, /fr/), translation management, SEO optimization with hreflang tags, and RTL support.
Core Rules
- URL structure first —
/en/, /de/, /fr/ prefixes for SEO and user clarity
- Fallback gracefully — Missing translations default to primary language with console warning
- hreflang tags — Required on every page for proper language alternates
- RTL support — Use logical CSS properties (margin-inline-start) for Arabic/Hebrew
- Persist preference — Store user's language choice in localStorage/cookie
- Type-safe translations — Use TypeScript for language codes and translation keys
- No hardcoded text — All user-facing strings must come from translation files
- SEO metadata — Translate title, description, og:locale for each language
- Content parity — Each language should have equivalent content structure
- Intl API formatting — Use native Intl for dates, numbers, currency per locale
Implementation Overview
| Component | Purpose | Location |
|---|
languages config | Define supported locales + metadata | src/i18n/config.ts |
| Translation files | JSON with nested keys | src/i18n/translations/{lang}.json |
t() function | Translation with fallback + params | src/i18n/utils.ts |
[lang]/ routes | Dynamic URL segments | src/pages/[lang]/ |
| Language switcher | Dropdown component | Component in layout |
| hreflang tags | SEO language alternates | <head> in BaseLayout |
| Middleware | Optional browser detection | src/middleware.ts |
Quick Start
Minimal Config
export const languages = {
en: { name: 'English', code: 'en-GB', dir: 'ltr' },
de: { name: 'Deutsch', code: 'de-DE', dir: 'ltr' },
} as const;
export const defaultLang = 'en';
export type Lang = keyof typeof languages;
Translation Usage
---
import { t } from '@/i18n/utils';
const lang = getLangFromUrl(Astro.url);
---
<h1>{t(lang, 'hero.title')}</h1>
<p>{t(lang, 'hero.subtitle')}</p>
<button>{t(lang, 'hero.cta')}</button>
Dynamic Route
---
// src/pages/[lang]/index.astro
export function getStaticPaths() {
return Object.keys(languages).map(lang => ({ params: { lang } }));
}
---
References
Configuration & Setup:
- config.md - Language config, translation files, utilities
Routing & URLs:
- routing.md - Dynamic routes, redirects, middleware
Components:
Content & Collections:
Formatting:
RTL Support:
SEO:
- seo.md - hreflang, Open Graph, sitemaps
Forbidden
- ❌ Hardcoded text in components (use
t() function)
- ❌ Missing hreflang tags on pages
- ❌ Auto-translating without human review
- ❌ Different URLs for same content without hreflang links
- ❌ Ignoring RTL requirements for Arabic/Hebrew
- ❌ Locale in query params (
?lang=de) instead of path (/de/)
- ❌ Using left/right CSS instead of logical properties
- ❌ Forgetting to translate meta descriptions and titles
Definition of Done
