- name
- i18n
- description
- Deep internationalization workflow—string extraction, ICU messages, formats, pseudolocale testing, and developer workflow. Use when preparing software for translation before full localization (l10n).
Internationalization (i18n) (Deep Workflow)
i18n is engineering readiness for multiple languages: extractable strings, ICU messages, locale-aware formatting, and tests—before full localization (translator workflow).
When to Offer This Workflow
Trigger conditions:
- Planning first non-English locales
- Hard-coded UI strings across the codebase
- Incorrect date/number formatting outside default locale
Initial offer:
Use six stages: (1) inventory & scope, (2) extraction pipeline, (3) ICU & placeholders, (4) formatting APIs, (5) layout & overflow, (6) QA hooks). Confirm framework (i18next, FormatJS, rails-i18n, etc.).
Stage 1: Inventory & Scope
Goal: Which surfaces ship first; pilot locales; avoid translating everything on day one.
Stage 2: Extraction Pipeline
Goal: Stable message keys; CI lint to block new user-visible literals where policy requires; namespaces per feature.
Stage 3: ICU & Placeholders
Goal: Plural and select rules; named variables; no string concatenation across translated fragments.
Stage 4: Formatting APIs
Goal: Intl (or platform equivalent) for dates, numbers, currency; explicit timezone policy (UTC vs user local).
Stage 5: Layout & Overflow
Goal: Flexible layouts for longer translations; pseudolocale in CI to catch truncation (e.g., xx-ACME).
Stage 6: QA Hooks
Goal: Easy locale switching in staging; optional screenshot/visual tests for critical screens.
Final Review Checklist
- [ ] Scope and pilot locales defined
- [ ] Extraction and linting in place
- [ ] ICU for plurals; no unsafe concatenation
- [ ] Intl formatting for numbers/dates
- [ ] Pseudolocale or stress language in QA
Tips for Effective Guidance
- Pair with localization skill for translator workflow and TMS integration.
Handling Deviations
- Games or marketing-heavy UIs: context comments for translators are critical.