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 (eg, 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

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

How to set up

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

 {
 "GITHUB_OWNER": "your-github-user-name",
 "GITHUB_REPO": "your-iOS-repo-name",
 "BASE_BRANCH": "develop",
 "SHEET_ID": "<YOUR_GOOGLE_SHEET_ID>",
 "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}} ",
 }

1. Create GitHub Webhook

   • URL: https://your-n8n-instance/webhook/l10n-gap-ios
   • Content-Type: application/json
   • Trigger on: Push , Pull Request

2. Connect credentials

   • GitHub token with repo scope
   • Google Sheets API
   • (Optional) Slack OAuth + SMTP

Requirements

How to customize

• Multiple Locales : Add comma-separated values ​​to TARGET_LANGS_CSV (eg, 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

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!