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Localization & translation management platform for apps, websites and docs
Translate Toolkit
All‑in‑one conversion and QA toolkit for software localization
The Translate Toolkit offers command‑line utilities to convert, validate, and manage localization files across dozens of formats, streamlining workflows for developers and translators alike.
Overview
Overview
The Translate Toolkit is a collection of command‑line programs and Python libraries designed for localization engineers, developers, and translation agencies. It simplifies the handling of a wide range of file formats— from Gettext PO and XLIFF to Java .properties, Qt .ts, OpenOffice GSI, and many more—by providing reliable converters and quality‑assurance tools.
Capabilities & Deployment
Key utilities include format converters (e.g., moz2po, oo2xliff, sub2po), the pofilter QA engine with over 40 checks, and pomerge for automatically merging corrected translations. The toolkit runs on Python 3.9+ and can be installed via pip, with optional extras for XML support, fuzzy matching, and additional parsers. Because it is pure command‑line, it integrates easily into CI/CD pipelines, scripts, or custom Python workflows, while extensive online documentation and --help output guide users through each command.
Extensibility
Developers can import the underlying classes to build custom localization pipelines or extend support for new formats. The GPL license encourages community contributions and ensures the toolkit remains freely available for a broad range of projects.
Highlights
Convert between 30+ localization formats to PO and XLIFF
Run 40+ quality‑assurance checks with pofilter
Merge corrected translations automatically via pomerge
Python library for custom scripts and integration
Pros
- Broad format support reduces need for multiple tools
- Mature command‑line interface works in CI pipelines
- Extensive documentation and built‑in help flags
- GPL license encourages community contributions
Considerations
- Requires Python 3.9+; older environments unsupported
- Optional speed‑up packages must be installed separately
- Some converters (e.g., html2po) are still beta
- No native graphical user interface
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Fit guide
Great for
- Localization engineers automating file conversion
- Open‑source projects needing bulk format migration
- Translation agencies performing QA on PO files
- Developers integrating localization pipelines into CI/CD
Not ideal when
- End‑users who prefer point‑and‑click translation tools
- Projects requiring real‑time collaborative editing
- Environments without Python or lacking required libraries
- Teams needing commercial support guarantees
How teams use it
Mozilla string extraction
Convert .properties files to PO, edit translations, and generate updated language packs.
OpenOffice document localization
Transform GSI/SDF files to XLIFF for translators, then back to native format after translation.
Batch quality assurance
Run pofilter across hundreds of PO files to detect missing placeholders, inconsistent terminology, and formatting errors.
Subtitle translation workflow
Convert subtitle files to PO with sub2po, edit, then export back to original subtitle format.
Tech snapshot
Python99%
Shell1%
Makefile1%
HTML1%
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the toolkit with XML support?
Use `pip install translate-toolkit[XML]` which pulls in lxml and related dependencies.
What Python version is required?
The toolkit runs on Python 3.9 or newer.
Can I use the toolkit in a CI pipeline?
Yes, all commands are CLI‑based and can be scripted; combine with pofilter and pomerge for automated checks.
Is there a graphical interface?
The toolkit itself is command‑line only; GUI front‑ends like Virtaal can leverage its libraries.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 935
- Watchers
- 935
- Forks
- 328
LicenseGPL-2.0
Repo age13 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Primary languagePython
Last synced yesterday