Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Locale Owl. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact support.
Getting Started
How do I create my first project?
Sign up at localeowl.com, click "New Project" on the dashboard, and give it a name. Then add your target languages and create your first namespace.
What file formats are supported for import?
Locale Owl supports JSON (nested and flat), CSV, and XLSX. For JSON files, use the naming convention {locale}_{namespace}.json (e.g. en_landing.json) for auto-detection.
Can I use Locale Owl with an existing i18n setup?
Yes! Export your current translations as JSON, import them into Locale Owl, and point your i18next/react-intl backend to our CDN endpoint. Migration typically takes under 30 minutes.
Translation Workflow
What is the difference between Draft and Published?
Draft translations are your working copy — they're only visible in the Admin UI. Published translations are live on the CDN and served to your users. You control when to publish.
How do branch workflows work?
Translation branches work like Git branches. Create a branch, make translation changes without affecting main, review the diff, and merge when ready. This is perfect for feature-specific translations.
Can multiple people edit translations simultaneously?
Yes. The translation editor uses Cloudflare Durable Objects for real-time synchronization. Multiple translators can edit the same namespace concurrently with no conflicts.
How do I handle pluralization?
Locale Owl supports i18next pluralization conventions. Use keys like greeting_one and greeting_other, and the CDN will deliver the full plural set to your frontend.
API & Integration
How do I fetch translations in my app?
Use a simple GET request to /api/namespaces/{projectId}/{locale}/{namespace}. Response is i18next-compatible JSON. You can also use our pull script in your CI/CD pipeline.
Is there a rate limit on the CDN?
Published translations are served from Cloudflare's edge cache with no practical rate limit. Draft/admin endpoints have a limit of 100 requests per minute per API key.
Can I use webhooks for publish events?
Webhook support is on our roadmap. Currently, you can use the POST /publish endpoint in your CI/CD pipeline to trigger publishes automatically after merge.
AI & Automation
How accurate is AI translation?
AI translations are high-quality drafts — typically 85-95% production-ready for common language pairs. We recommend human review for user-facing content, especially marketing copy.
Does AI translation preserve placeholders?
Yes. The AI models are specifically prompted to preserve {variable} placeholders, HTML tags, and ICU message format tokens in translations.
Can I customize the AI's translation style?
Yes. Set up a glossary for project-specific terms, choose a tone (formal/casual/technical), and add custom prompt instructions in Project Settings → AI.
Billing & Security
Can I try Pro features before paying?
Yes, Pro comes with a 14-day free trial. No credit card required. You'll keep your translations if you decide to downgrade to Starter.
Where is my data stored?
Translations are stored in Cloudflare R2 (object storage) and D1 (database). Published translations are cached globally on Cloudflare's edge network. All data is encrypted at rest.
Is there an SLA for Enterprise?
Yes. Enterprise plans include a 99.9% uptime SLA for the CDN and a 99.5% SLA for the Admin UI/API. Contact sales for details.
Can I export all my data?
Absolutely. Use the Export feature to download all translations as JSON, CSV, or XLSX at any time. We support full data portability — your translations are never locked in.