Frequently Asked Questions

Product Basics

What is doloc?

doloc is an API-first localization companion that takes your existing translation files (XLIFF, JSON, Android XML, ARB, Properties, and more) and instantly returns fully translated versions without forcing you into a new platform. The Getting Started guide walks through the full request/response flow with live examples.

Who is doloc for?

We build doloc for engineering teams that want to automate localization directly inside their build or review workflow. If you already have a CI job or some script that extracts strings, doloc plugs right into it.

Do I need to install anything?

No installation is required. You call our HTTPS endpoint with curl, your CI runner, or any HTTP client, and the service returns the translated file in the same structure you uploaded.

Getting Started

How do I start translating with doloc?

1. Create a free account.
2. Generate an API token inside the dashboard.
3. Run the sample curl command from the Getting Started guide with your source file or adapt one of the framework recipes.

Which file formats are supported?

We currently support XLIFF 1.2, XLIFF 2.0, JSON, Android XML, Properties, and ARB. Visit the format guides for exact examples, nesting rules, and validation tips.

Can I try it without touching production files?

Yes. Use any of the example files or upload a small subset of your own strings. The Free plan gives you up to 100 source texts to experiment with, and you can roll back by simply discarding the generated file.

Usage & Automation

When should I run doloc?

We recommend running it whenever a developer edits copy: locally before opening a PR, in your CI pipeline, or as part of a scheduled job. See When to Run doloc for detailed best practices and the framework recipes for ready-to-use CI snippets.

Does doloc overwrite my files?

You control that behavior. Most teams have the translation files under version control and configure doloc to overwrite them in place, then review the resulting git diff. As doloc keeps all formatting and structure intact, a simple diff always shows what changed.

Can I translate multiple target languages at once?

Absolutely. Send one request per target language (often through parallel CI jobs). Pricing is based on the number of unique source texts, not on language count, so translating into more languages does not increase your costs.

How to approach new languages?

doloc shines when it can align new translations with the ones you already trust. When starting a fresh language there is nothing to anchor to, so we suggest:

1. Translate a small but diverse subset (e.g., 10 texts) by temporarily removing everything else from the translation file.
2. Verify and correct those translations so they capture the tone and terminology you want.
3. Translate the remaining texts while keeping the verified entries as existing translations.

This approach lets you steer the voice early while still benefitting from fully automated runs.

Translation Quality

How accurate are the translations?

We combine high-quality AI models with context from your source strings to keep terminology consistent. You can rerun translations any time you tweak the surrounding copy to keep everything aligned.

Can I review or edit translations manually?

Yes. Because doloc outputs standard file formats, your team can open them in any editor, run additional QA, or plug them into downstream tooling before shipping.

Do you support glossaries or tone controls?

This is not explicitly supported and usually not necessary. The tone and style of translations adapt to the source texts you already have. If the output diverges from your desired voice, tweak the source string or add inline comments/notes in formats that support them (e.g., XLIFF note nodes) — see the format guides for syntax. doloc will pick up those cues during the next run.

Billing & Accounts

How is pricing calculated?

Pricing depends on the number of unique source texts in your project, which is easier to estimate than counting new translations. Check the Pricing page for plan tiers, limits, and how the Free plan works. You can translate into as many target languages as you like without changing your cost.

What happens when I exceed my plan limits?

Any request that would put you over your plan’s active source text limit is rejected with a 402 Payment Required response. You can either upgrade to the next tier or reduce the number of active source texts; the dashboard shows your current usage in real time.

Do you offer discounts for OSS or non-profits?

Yes. Email [email protected] with details about your project and we will set up a discounted plan.

Support & Roadmap

How do I get help?

Reach us anytime at [email protected]. We respond within one business day and even faster for paid plans.

Can I request a feature?

Absolutely—send us a message or ping @doloc_io on Twitter. We prioritize roadmap items that unblock developer workflows or improve translation quality, so include as much context as you can.