Syncing iOS Localization Gaps with Google Sheets and GitHub PR Placeholders

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": "<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}}",
}

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!