Xcode I18n MCP Server
Localization workflows for iOS and macOS projects via xcstrings and pbxproj files.
Data last scanned today · Reviewed today
Overview
Xcode I18n MCP Server streamlines internationalization for Apple ecosystem development by enabling AI assistants to directly interact with project localization files. It automates the discovery of project languages by parsing .pbxproj files and identifying missing translations within .xcstrings files. Built with TypeScript and Zod schema validation, the server provides a structured approach to managing app strings. Users can extract supported regions, query for untranslated content, and write updates directly back to their project's localization files.
Our verdict
This server carries a high-risk rating (10/100) and should be used with caution. The project lacks a defined license, leaving its legal status for use unclear, and it has not been updated in over a year (last commit 383 days ago). Given the lack of active maintenance and the absence of a verified organization, users should manually audit the code before integrating it into any sensitive or production Xcode project.
- Uses Zod schema validation for improved type safety.
- Small dependency footprint with only two direct dependencies.
- Provides clear documentation for project integration.
- No license detected, creating uncertainty regarding usage rights.
- Stale codebase with no commits in over a year.
- Community-maintained project without official vendor support.
- Single contributor increases long-term maintenance risks.
Setup
{
"mcpServers": {
"xcode-i18n-mcp": {
"args": [
"-y",
"xcode-i18n-mcp"
],
"command": "npx"
}
}
}Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows), then restart Claude Desktop. Some servers require API keys or tokens as environment variables — check the project's README and add an "env" object if needed.
- No read-only mode — running this grants full read/write access.
- No built-in authentication — anyone with access to this config can invoke every tool it exposes.
Tools
| Tool | Description | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| getKnownRegions | Extracts the list of supported languages from a .pbxproj file. | low |
| getStringsToTranslate | Identifies strings that need translation for a specific language code. | low |
| updateTranslations | Updates the .xcstrings file with translated strings for a specific language. | medium |
Compatibility
| Client | Local | Docker | Remote | Read-only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Desktop | ||||
| Cursor | ||||
| VS Code | ||||
| Windsurf | ||||
| ChatGPT |
Frequently asked questions
›Which Xcode file formats does this server support?
The server supports parsing .pbxproj files to extract known regions and works with Xcode 15+ String Catalog files (.xcstrings) for translation management.
›Are there specific Node.js requirements for running this server?
Yes, you must have Node.js version 18 or higher installed on your system.
›Does the server require any specific network or authentication configuration?
No, the server uses stdio transport for communication and requires no additional network or authentication configuration.
›Can I use this server with both global and project-specific configurations?
Yes, you can configure it globally by editing ~/.claude/mcp.json or on a per-project basis by creating a .claude/mcp.json file in your project root.
›How are errors handled by the server?
The server includes comprehensive error handling and provides detailed messages for issues such as missing files, invalid JSON formats, missing regions in project files, or file permission problems.
Badge
Maintain this server? Add the live badge to your README.