⚒️ Syncing iOS localization gaps with Google Sheets and GitHub PR placeholders

⚡ 219 views · ⚒️ Engineering

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Description

Fill iOS localization gaps from `.strings` → Google Sheets and PR with placeholders (GitHub)

This n8n workflow automatically identifies missing translations in .strings files across iOS localizations (e.g., Base.lproj vs fr.lproj) and generates a report in Google Sheets. Optionally, it creates a GitHub PR to insert placeholder strings ("__TODO_TRANSLATE__") so builds don’t fail. Supports DRY_RUN mode.

Who’s it for

iOS teams who want fast feedback on missing translations.
Localization managers who want a shared sheet to assign work to translators.

How it works

A GitHub Webhook triggers on push or pull request.
The iOS repo is scanned for .strings files under Base.lproj or en.lproj and their target-language counterparts.
It compares keys and identifies what’s missing.
A new or existing Google Sheet tab (e.g., fr) is updated with missing entries.
If enabled, it creates a GitHub PR with placeholder keys (e.g., "__TODO_TRANSLATE__").

How to set up

Import the Workflow JSON into your n8n instance.
Set Config Node values like:

{
"GITHUB_OWNER": "your-github-user-name",
"GITHUB_REPO": "your-iOS-repo-name",
"BASE_BRANCH": "develop",
"SHEET_ID": "&lt;YOUR_GOOGLE_SHEET_ID&gt;",
"ENABLE_PR": "true",
"IOS_SOURCE_GLOB": "**/Base.lproj/*.strings,**/en.lproj/*.strings",
"IOS_TARGET_GLOB": "**/*.lproj/*.strings",
"PLACEHOLDER_VALUE": "__TODO_TRANSLATE__",
"BRANCH_TEMPLATE": "chore/l10n-gap-{{YYYYMMDD}}",
}

Create GitHub Webhook
- URL: https://your-n8n-instance/webhook/l10n-gap-ios
- Content-Type: application/json
- Trigger on: Push, Pull Request
Connect credentials
- GitHub token with repo scope
- Google Sheets API
- (Optional) Slack OAuth + SMTP

Requirements

Tool	Needed For	Notes
GitHub Repo	Webhook, API for PRs	`repo` token or App
Google Sheets	Sheet output	Needs valid `SHEET_ID` or create-per-run
Slack (optional)	Notifications	`chat:write` scope
SMTP (optional)	Email fallback	Standard SMTP creds

How to customize

Multiple Locales: Add comma-separated values to TARGET_LANGS_CSV (e.g., fr,de,es).
Globs: Adjust IOS_SOURCE_GLOB and IOS_TARGET_GLOB to scan only certain modules or file patterns.
Ignore Rules: Add IGNORE_KEY_PREFIXES_CSV to skip certain internal/debug strings.
Placeholder Value: Change PLACEHOLDER_VALUE to something meaningful like "@@@".
Slack/Email: Set SLACK_CHANNEL and EMAIL_FALLBACK_TO_CSV appropriately.
DRY_RUN: Set to true to skip GitHub PR creation but still update the sheet.

Add‑ons

Android support: Add a second path for strings.xml (values → values-<lang>), same diff → Sheets → placeholder PR.
Multiple languages at once: Expand TARGET_LANGS_CSV and loop tabs + placeholder commits per locale.
.stringsdict handling: Validate plural/format entries and open a precise PR.
Translator DMs: Provide a LANG → Slack handle/email map to DM translators with their specific file/key counts.
GitLab/Bitbucket variants: Replace GitHub API calls with GitLab/Bitbucket equivalents to open Merge Requests.

Use Case Examples

Before a test build, ensure fr has all keys present—placeholders keep the app compiling.
Weekly run creates a single sheet for translators and a PR with placeholders, avoiding last‑minute breakages.
A new screen adds 12 strings; the bot flags and pre‑fills them across locales.

Common troubleshooting

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
No source files found	Glob doesn’t match `Base.lproj` or `en.lproj`	Adjust `IOS_SOURCE_GLOB`
Target file missing	`fr.lproj` doesn’t exist yet	Will be created in placeholder PR
Parsing skips entries	Non-standard string format in file	Ensure proper `.strings` format `"key" = "value";`
Sheet not updating	`SHEET_ID` missing or insufficient permission	Add valid ID or allow write access
PR not created	`ENABLE_PR=false` or no missing keys	Enable PR and ensure at least one key is missing
Slack/Email not received	Missing credentials or config	Configure Slack/SMTP properly and set recipient fields

Need Help?

Want to expand this for Android? Loop through 5+ locales at once? Or replace GitHub with GitLab? Contact our n8n Team at WeblineIndia with your repo & locale setup and we’ll help tailor it to your translation workflow!

🔗 Nodes Used

Google Sheets, HTTP Request, Webhook

📥 Import

Download workflow.json and import into n8n: Workflow menu → Import from File

📖 Importing guide · 🔑 Credential setup