Theme String Translator self-updates
Lightweight WordPress theme string translation without WPML. Auto-scan, inline editor, PO/MO/JSON export.
by LuroWeb - Łukasz Rosikoń · github.com/mysterekkk/theme-string-translator · website
Install
The author publishes release zips, so WP-CLI can install straight from GitHub:
wp plugin install https://github.com/mysterekkk/theme-string-translator/releases/download/v1.0.0/theme-string-translator-1.0.0.zipShips its own WordPress updater (built-in updater), so new versions show up under Dashboard → Updates.
Translate your WordPress theme strings without WPML. Lightweight scanner, inline editor, PO/MO/JSON export.
Description
Theme String Translator is a lightweight WordPress plugin that scans your active theme for translatable strings and provides a simple interface to translate them — without needing WPML, Polylang, or any heavy multilingual framework.
Key Features:
- Auto-scan your theme for all translatable strings ((), _e(), esc_html(), etc.)
- Detect hardcoded text in templates
- Support for get_theme_mod() default values
- ACF field label translation (if ACF is active)
- WooCommerce template string detection
- Inline translation editor in WordPress admin
- Export to .po, .mo, JSON, or PHP array
- Import from .po or JSON files
- Runtime translation via gettext filters
- Auto-updates from GitHub releases
Built by LuroWeb
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to
/wp-content/plugins/ - Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu
- Go to Theme Translator in the admin menu
- Click "Scan Theme" to detect all strings
- Select target languages and start translating
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this replace WPML?
No. This plugin focuses specifically on theme UI string translation, not full multilingual content management. For translating posts and pages, use Polylang or WPML.
Does it work with child themes?
Yes, it scans the active theme (child theme if active).
Does it work with WooCommerce?
Yes, it detects strings in WooCommerce template overrides within your theme.
Will translations survive theme updates?
Translations are stored in the database. Exported .po/.mo files should be placed in a location that persists across updates.
Screenshots
- Dashboard showing scan statistics
- String list with inline translation editor
- Export options (PO, MO, JSON, PHP)
Changelog
1.0.0
- Initial release
- Theme scanner with regex-based string detection
- Inline translation editor
- PO/MO/JSON/PHP export
- PO/JSON import
- Runtime gettext filter translation
- GitHub auto-updater
- ACF and WooCommerce support
Releases
1 release. Each count is every asset in that release; expand a row for the breakdown.