Getting started with localizing a checkout UI extension

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to do the following tasks:

• Create a checkout UI extension that renders some text in the checkout flow with some basic localization.

• Run the extension locally and test it on a development store.

• Define translation data and localize the following elements:

  • Numbers using a formatNumber function similar to the Intl object
  • Currency using a formatCurrency Intl object
  • Singular and plural values

• Deploy your extension code to Shopify.

• You've created a Partner account.

• You've created a new development store with the following:

  • Generated test data
  • Checkout and Customer Accounts Extensibility developer preview enabled

• You've created an app that uses Shopify CLI 3.0 or higher.

• You're familiar with how localization works for checkout UI extensions.

• You've added and published a second language to your development store.

• You've activated the language in your development store's primary market.

You can copy and paste the following code into your index file and add a few example values to get the extension to render in the browser. The rest of the tutorial walks through this sample code step-by-step.

To create a checkout UI extension, you can use Shopify CLI, which generates starter code for building your extension and automates common development tasks.

1. Navigate to your app directory:

2. Run the following command to create a new checkout UI extension:

3. Select a language for your extension. You can choose from TypeScript, JavaScript, TypeScript React, or JavaScript React.

   You should now have a new extension directory in your app's directory. The extension directory includes the extension script at src/index.{file-extension}. The following is an example directory structure:

4. Start your development server to build and preview your app:

   To learn about the processes that are executed when you run dev, refer to the Shopify CLI command reference.

5. Press p to open the developer console. In the developer console page, click on the preview link for your extension.

To define translations, you'll adjust the [locale].json files in the extensions/<name-of-checkout-ui-extension>/locales folder within your app.

Your default locale specifies which locale Shopify should use when no other appropriate locale can be matched. In this example, English (en) is already the default locale. However, you can set any locale to be your default locale.

To change your default locale, go to the locales folder and change the [locale].json filename to [locale].default.json.

In this step, you'll add translations for different plural forms. You'll set translations for the many, one and other plural rules needed for French (fr), but you can specify any pluralization key that Intl.PluralRules.select() supports and that's appropriate for the locale.

In subsequent steps, you'll define balance and points using a placeholder.

1. In en.default.json, add the following code:

2. In the fr.json file, add the translated content:

Now that you've defined translations, you'll learn how to localize currency.

You'll add the formatCurrency function provided by i18n. The function wraps the standard Intl object.

Depending on the current locale, 9.99 will now resolve to the following localized currency formats:

• en: $9.99

• fr: 9,99

In this step, you'll learn how to resolve localized numbers.

You'll localize number formatting using the formatNumber function provided by i18n. The function wraps the standard Intl object.

Depending on the current locale, 10000 will resolve to one of the following localized number formats:

• en: 10,000

• fr: 10 000

In this step, you'll learn how to translate the balance remaining message using a placeholder.

You'll use a placeholder for formattedBalance. You'll also call the translate function, which sends the formattedBalance variable so that it can be used in the translation string.

In this step, you'll learn how to translate the loyaltyPoints message, which supports pluralization.

You'll use the translate function to pass in the count of how many points are available. You'll use formattedPoints to render the points in the current locale.

The checkout UI extension should now render localized checkout content for en and fr:

To test the extension, preview the language from your development store admin.

When you're ready to release your changes to users, you can create and release an app version. An app version is a snapshot of your app configuration and all extensions.

You can have up to 50 checkout UI extensions in an app version.

1. Navigate to your app directory.

2. Run the following command.

   Optionally, you can provide a name or message for the version using the --version and --message flags.

Releasing an app version replaces the current active version that's served to stores that have your app installed. It might take several minutes for app users to be upgraded to the new version.

This section describes how to solve some potential errors when you run dev for an app that contains a checkout UI extension.

If you receive the error ShopifyCLI:AdminAPI requires the property token to be set, then you'll need to use the --checkout-cart-url flag to direct Shopify CLI to open a checkout session for you.

If you don't receive the test checkout URL when you run dev, then verify the following:

• You have a development store populated with products.

• You're logged in to the correct Partners organization and development store. To verify, check your app info using the following command:

Otherwise, you can manually create a checkout with the following steps:

1. From your development store's storefront, add some products to your cart.

2. From the cart, click Checkout.

3. From directory of the app that contains your extension, run dev to preview your app:

4. On the checkout page for your store, change the URL by appending the ?dev=https://{tunnel_url}/extensions query string and reload the page. The tunnel_url parameter allows your app to be accessed using a unique HTTPS URL.

   You should now see a rendered order note that corresponds to the code in your project template.

• Use JavaScript APIs to access translations for localizing checkout UI extensions.