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Lingo.dev CLI

  • How it works
  • Setup

Configuration

  • Supported formats
  • i18n.json
  • i18n.lock

Features

  • Existing translations
  • Adding languages
  • Overrides
  • Translator Notes
  • Translation keys
    • Key renaming
    • Key locking
    • Key ignoring
    • Key preserving

Performance

  • Large projects
  • Parallel processing

Retranslation

  • Automatic Retranslation
  • Retranslation
  • Remove translations

Retranslation

Max PrilutskiyMax Prilutskiy·Updated 1 day ago·1 min read

The Lingo.dev CLI provides manual retranslation options for refreshing translations when the source text hasn't changed - after switching AI models, updating translation prompts, or improving localization engine configuration.

For automatic retranslation triggered by source text changes, see Automatic Retranslation.

Complete retranslation#

Bypass the lockfile and retranslate all content:

bash
npx lingo.dev@latest run --force

This retranslates every key in every target language and recreates the i18n.lock file.

Targeted retranslation#

By language#

bash
npx lingo.dev@latest run --force --target-locale es

Retranslates only Spanish while preserving all other languages.

By bucket type#

bash
npx lingo.dev@latest run --force --bucket json

Retranslates only JSON files, leaving Markdown and other formats unchanged.

By key#

bash
npx lingo.dev@latest run --force --key welcome.title

Retranslates a single key across all target languages. Supports glob patterns.

By file#

bash
npx lingo.dev@latest run --force --file blog.[locale].json

Retranslates specific files. Multiple --file flags can be combined.

Combined#

bash
npx lingo.dev@latest run --force --bucket json --target-locale es

Options combine for precise control - this retranslates all JSON content for Spanish only.

Efficient retranslation with purge#

For best performance, use purge before run instead of --force. This leverages the CLI's built-in caching mechanism:

bash
# Remove existing translations for a specific key
npx lingo.dev@latest purge --key welcome.title

# Then regenerate (without --force)
npx lingo.dev@latest run

When to retranslate#

ScenarioRecommended approach
Source text changedAutomatic - no action needed
Switched AI modelsrun --force or targeted retranslation
Updated translation promptsrun --force or targeted retranslation
Improved engine configurationTargeted retranslation for affected locales
Poor quality in specific localerun --force --target-locale <locale>

Next Steps#

Automatic Retranslation
How source changes trigger retranslation
Remove Translations
Delete translations before regenerating
i18n.lock
How fingerprinting tracks translation state
Connect Your Engine
Improve translations by configuring your engine

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