Posted on October 8, 2025 by DForD Software
The rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) in software localization isn't just about better translations; it's about better workflows. A whole new ecosystem of developer tools is springing up, all designed to make the process of building multilingual software faster, easier, and more automated. Here's a look at the essential tools you need to build a modern, AI-powered internationalization (i18n) workflow.
For developers who live in the terminal, a powerful CLI is the backbone of any automated workflow. A good i18n CLI tool can be plugged directly into your CI/CD pipeline, allowing you to do things like automatically extract new text from your code, send it to an LLM for translation, and then merge the results back into your project. It's the engine of your continuous localization machine.
Why switch contexts when you don't have to? Modern IDE extensions bring the power of AI translation right into your code editor. Imagine being able to highlight a string of text, get an instant, high-quality translation, and then have it automatically inserted into your language files, all without ever leaving your IDE. It's a massive productivity boost that every developer on a multilingual project will love.
"The right developer tools can transform your i18n process from a painful chore into a seamless, automated, and even enjoyable part of your workflow."
A good Translation Management System (TMS) is the central hub for your entire localization process. The best modern TMS platforms are now deeply integrated with LLMs, creating a single source of truth for developers, translators, and project managers. Look for a TMS that offers features like translation memory, terminology management, and a collaborative review process, all built on a powerful API that can connect to the rest of your developer tools.
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: context is the key to good translations. A new and exciting category of i18n tools is emerging that is laser-focused on this problem. These platforms allow you to effortlessly provide the AI with the context it needs, whether it's through screenshots, developer notes, or even a live, interactive preview of the translated UI. Giving your AI this kind of context is the secret to getting amazing translations on the first try.
Finally, you need a good set of Quality Assurance (QA) tools to act as your safety net. These tools can automatically scan your translations for common mistakes like untranslated text, inconsistent terminology, or broken placeholders. The most cutting-edge QA tools are even using LLMs themselves to go a step further, assessing the overall quality and fluency of the translated text.
The world of i18n tools is moving at lightning speed, and it's all thanks to the power of LLMs. By picking the right set of tools for your team, you can build a localization workflow that is so fast, so automated, and so efficient, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Back to Blog