Translate Apple .stringsdict files with Hyperlocalise

Apple .stringsdict files describe plural and variable-dependent messages in plist XML. Use them alongside .strings resources when an iOS or macOS message needs different grammatical forms. Supported extensions: .stringsdict.

Source file

Save this example as locales/en-US/messages.stringsdict.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<plist version="1.0">
    <dict>
        <key>items</key>
        <dict>
            <key>NSStringLocalizedFormatKey</key>
            <string>%#@count@</string>
            <key>count</key>
            <dict>
                <key>NSStringFormatSpecTypeKey</key>
                <string>NSStringPluralRuleType</string>
                <key>NSStringFormatValueTypeKey</key>
                <string>d</string>
                <key>one</key><string>%d item</string>
                <key>other</key><string>%d items</string>
            </dict>
        </dict>
    </dict>
</plist>

Configure your files

Use this i18n.yml for the example, or add its file mapping to your existing bucket. See path templates for other layouts.

locales:
    source: en-US
    targets:
        - es-ES

buckets:
    messages:
        files:
            - from: locales/en-US/messages.stringsdict
              to: locales/{{target}}/messages.stringsdict

llm:
    profiles:
        default:
            provider: openai
            model: gpt-5.2

Translate

Install the CLI and set OPENAI_API_KEY in your project’s .env.local or shell. You can also configure another AI provider.

hyperlocalise run --dry-run
hyperlocalise run

The dry run previews the work. The second command writes translations to the configured target path and updates the lockfile.

Behavior and limitations

Translatable string leaves become dotted keys such as items.count.one. Plural category names remain part of the key.
NSString* fields are structural metadata and are excluded from translation.
Each %#@token@ must match a sibling substitution dictionary. Writeback preserves XML layout and replaces message text.

Next steps

Check translations before committing generated files.
Local translation workflow explains repeat runs.
Browse all file formats.

Getting started

Configuration

Guides

Integrations

Reference

Troubleshooting

Release notes

Contributing

Translate Apple .stringsdict files with Hyperlocalise

Source file

Configure your files

Translate

Behavior and limitations

Next steps

​Source file

​Configure your files

​Translate

​Behavior and limitations

​Next steps

​Related formats

Source file

Configure your files

Translate

Behavior and limitations

Next steps

Related formats