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csv-translator

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Specialized skill for translating large CSV files. It follows a multi-step process of planning, counting lines, splitting large files into manageable chunks, translating chunks, merging, and finally importing translations into Android resource files. Use when the user needs to translate a CSV file, especially large ones.

QUICK START

How to use this skill

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  3. Review the proposed files and risks before you approve installation.
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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/pass-with-high-score/blockads-android/blob/HEAD/.agent/skills/csv-translator/SKILL.md

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Copying this prompt does not install or run the skill. Review third-party files before use. Codex skill guide

CSV Translator Workflow

This skill provides a robust way to translate CSV files while managing context window limits by splitting large files into smaller chunks.

Workflow Steps

0. Discovery & Extraction (Optional)

Before translating, you may need to identify what needs translation:

  • Find Untranslated Strings: Use node scripts/export_untranslated.cjs <res_dir> [ref_res_dir] to export missing translations to untranslated_strings.csv.
  • Find Hardcoded Strings: Use node scripts/extract_hardcoded_strings.cjs <src_dir> to find UI text in code that should be moved to strings.xml.
  • Find Unused Strings: Use node scripts/find_unused_strings.cjs <module_name> to clean up resources before exporting.

1. Planning & Analysis

  • Identify Target: Determine the CSV file to be translated and the target language(s).
  • Count Lines: Use `run_shell_command` with `wc -l` to determine the size of the file.
  • Set Chunk Size: Based on the file size and complexity, decide on a target number of lines per chunk (default recommendation: 100-200 lines).

2. Splitting (If Large)

  • If the file exceeds the manageable limit, split it into smaller files.
  • Use a script (e.g., `scripts/split_csv.cjs`) to ensure data integrity (keeping headers in each chunk or handling them correctly).
  • Recursive Check: If a split file is still considered too large for a single translation turn, split it further.

3. Translation

  • Translate each chunk individually.
  • Maintain the CSV structure and ensure that keys/IDs (if any) are preserved.
  • Use a consistent tone and terminology across all chunks.
  • DO NOT manually escape special characters (like `'` or `"`) in the CSV; the import script handles this automatically.

4. Merging

  • Once all chunks are translated, merge them back into a single final CSV file.
  • Use a script (e.g., `scripts/merge_csv.cjs`) to combine the files, ensuring only one header row exists.

5. Importing (Android Specific)

  • Use `scripts/import_translations.cjs` to automatically take the merged translations and update the project's `strings.xml` files.
  • Command: `node scripts/import_translations.cjs <merged_csv_path> <res_directory>`

6. Validation

  • Verify the final CSV file structure and line count matches the original.
  • Run a build check (e.g., `./gradlew assembleDebug`) to ensure the imported strings don't break the build.

Guardrails

  • Preserve Structure: Never change the number of columns or the meaning of specific fields (like IDs).
  • Header Integrity: Ensure the header row is handled correctly during splitting and merging.
  • Encoding: Maintain UTF-8 encoding throughout the process.
  • Double-Escaping Prevention: Always provide raw text in the CSV. The import script will convert raw quotes into Android-compatible escapes (e.g., `can't` -> `can\'t`).

7. Cleanup & Git

  • Ensure you do NOT commit intermediate CSV files (e.g., untranslated strings, chunks, merged files, formatted files) to the repository.
  • Delete these temporary files once the import is successfully validated, or ensure they are excluded via `.gitignore`.