# IOS Localization

Implement, review, or improve localization and internationalization in iOS/macOS apps, ...

- Repository: https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills (1266 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-07-31
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-localization -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-localization -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-localization -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-localization -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills`

## Description

Implement, review, or improve localization and internationalization in iOS/macOS apps, String Catalogs (.xcstrings), generated localizable symbols, stable key naming, LocalizedStringKey, LocalizedStringResource, pluralization, FormatStyle for numbers/dates/measurements, right-to-left layout, Dynamic Type, and locale-aware formatting. Use when adding multi-language support, setting up String Catalogs, enabling generated symbols for compile-time-safe localization keys, handling plural forms, formatting dates/numbers/currencies for different locales, testing localizations, or making UI work correctly in RTL languages like Arabic and Hebrew.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# iOS Localization & Internationalization

Localize Apple-platform apps with String Catalogs, modern string types,
locale-aware formatting, and right-to-left layout.

## Contents

- [String Catalogs and Generated Symbols](#string-catalogs-and-generated-symbols)
- [String Types -- Decision Guide](#string-types-decision-guide)
- [String Interpolation in Localized Strings](#string-interpolation-in-localized-strings)
- [Pluralization](#pluralization)
- [FormatStyle -- Locale-Aware Formatting](#formatstyle-locale-aware-formatting)
- [Right-to-Left (RTL) Layout](#right-to-left-rtl-layout)
- [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)
- [Localization Review Checklist](#review-checklist)
- [References](#references)

## String Catalogs and Generated Symbols

String Catalogs are the recommended Xcode 15+ workflow for new localization work. They keep localizable strings, pluralization rules, and device variations together in an Xcode-managed JSON file with a visual editor. Legacy `.strings` and `.stringsdict` files can coexist during migration, but new Swift and SwiftUI code should default to String Catalogs.

**How automatic extraction works:**

Xcode scans for these patterns on each build:

```swift
// SwiftUI -- automatically extracted (LocalizedStringKey)
Text("Welcome back")              // key: "Welcome back"
Label("Settings", systemImage: "gear")
Button("Save") { }
Toggle("Dark Mode", isOn: $dark)

// Programmatic -- automatically extracted
String(localized: "No items found")
LocalizedStringResource("Order placed")

// Plain String: not extracted or localized
let msg = "Hello"
```

Xcode adds discovered keys to the String Catalog automatically. Mark translations as Needs Review, Translated, or Stale in the editor.

For detailed String Catalog workflows, migration, and testing strategies, see [references/string-catalogs.md](references/string-catalogs.md).

The rest: https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/ios-localization/SKILL.md