Auto Translation Framework

Auto Translation Framework

Stop hunting for translation submods. Stop waiting for every mod author to support your language.

Auto Translation Framework is built for large mod lists where half the best mods are untranslated, partially translated, outdated, or full of text hidden outside normal XML files.

Enable the mod, choose your target language, and let it scan your active mods, download ready community translations when they exist, and translate the missing parts automatically.

The problem

RimWorld mod translation is painful:

• A great mod has no translation for your language.
• A translation exists, but it is old, incomplete, or made for another version.
• You install 200 mods and do not want to search for 200 translation submods.
• Some text is not in normal language files at all, because the mod draws it directly from C#.
• Machine translation tools can help, but they usually stop at XML and leave hardcoded UI behind.

This mod is meant to remove that work from the player.

Why this translator?

Most auto translators focus on the easy part: normal localization keys.

Auto Translation Framework goes wider:

• Keyed translation keys used by UI, alerts, messages, and mod systems.
• DefInjected labels, descriptions, thoughts, traits, buildings, items, hediffs, events, research, and many custom Def fields.
• Runtime / hardcoded UI text captured through Harmony when mods draw text directly in windows, float menus, gizmos, inspect strings, commands, and messages.
• Generated XML cache so already translated Keyed and DefInjected entries can load faster next time.
• Manual editor for fixing translations and building your own author translation pack.

The goal is not just "translate a file". The goal is to make heavily modded RimWorld playable in your language.

Shared translation library

You do not have to wait for your own computer to translate everything from zero.

If another player already translated a mod and the translation exists in the library, your game can download the ready pack instead of spending time translating the same strings again.

That means:

• less waiting on big mod lists;
• fewer repeated provider requests;
• better reuse across players;
• translation packs can improve over time instead of staying trapped on one computer.

The more people use the library, the faster new players get usable translations.

Automatic AI review pipeline

Raw machine translation is not the finish line.

Library submissions can go through an automated AI review workflow that checks machine-translated packs, looks for obvious mistakes, compares human corrections, and can publish improved verified packs over time.

In practice, that means the shared base can keep getting better:

• machine translations can be reviewed before becoming trusted library packs;
• human fixes can challenge worse automatic output;
• future players can receive cleaner translations without doing the work again.

Do I need an AI API key?

No, not for the default path.

The mod can start with free web translation providers and the shared library. You do not need to hunt for an OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, DeepL, or OpenRouter key just to try it.

Advanced users can still connect paid APIs, local OpenAI-compatible servers, OpenRouter, DeepL, Google Cloud Translation, Microsoft Translator, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, LibreTranslate, and more.

Use the free path first. Add API providers only if you want more control, higher limits, or a specific model.

What happens in game

• The mod scans active mods automatically on startup.
• It checks local memory and the shared library first.
• Ready translations are applied during play.
• Missing strings go to configured translation providers in the background.
• Newly ready translations are periodically injected into the running game.
• Completed packs can be submitted back to the library if sharing is enabled.

You should not need to open settings every few minutes and press buttons. The normal workflow is automatic.

Built for modded RimWorld

• Per-mod enable/disable controls.
• Per-mod progress and pipeline status.
• Multi-provider mode for splitting translation work.
• Provider health checks and fallback behavior.
• Local translation memory.
• Import from existing translation mods and external auto-translation caches.
• Dedicated full-screen translation editor.
• Author translation pack creation and library sharing.

Safety

• Does not edit original Workshop mod files.
• Stores translations in this mod's local memory and generated cache.
• Preserves existing human translations by default.
• Library sharing is optional and configurable.
• Network/API features can be disabled.

Requirements

• Requires Harmony.
• Internet access is needed for online providers and the shared library.
• Translation quality depends on the provider, source text, and library review status.

Important note

This is an experimental, fast-growing automation tool. Some mods use unusual custom systems, dynamic text, or complex C# UI. The hardcoded/runtime layer is designed for those cases, but no translator can honestly promise perfect coverage for every mod on day one.

The point is simple: install your mod list, choose your language, and let the translator do the boring work.

Documentation

Project overview and user guide

Support

If this project saves you time and makes your mod list easier to play, you can support its development here:

Patreon
Ko-fi

Try my others mods:
- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3744421283
- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3753149685