# vtex-io-messages-and-i18n

Keeps user-facing copy in the VTEX IO messages infrastructure instead of hardcoded strings in JSX and resolvers.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1100 installs · ★ 46
- Author: vtex
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/vtex/skills/tree/HEAD/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n

## What it does

Reach for this skill when a VTEX IO app has to show translated text. It walks through the `messages` builder, the `/messages/*.json` files, `context.json`, message usage on the frontend, and the way an app hooks into `vtex.messages` for translation at runtime.

The skill ships decision rules plus hard constraints. Message keys stay app-scoped and declared up front rather than invented inside components. Storefront keys get a `store/...` prefix, Admin and Site Editor keys get `admin/...`. In `context.json` they sit as a flat `messageId -> description` map. On the backend and in GraphQL, translate only where the app boundary genuinely needs localized output.

Translation files are not a config store. Put an API URL, a credential or a business rule in there and the skill stops you, pointing to app settings or a content-specific mechanism instead. Keep a full `en.json` around as the fallback even if most users speak another language, so message resolution has a stable base.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add vtex/skills --skill vtex-io-messages-and-i18n -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add vtex/skills --skill vtex-io-messages-and-i18n -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add vtex/skills --skill vtex-io-messages-and-i18n -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install vtex/skills vtex-io-messages-and-i18n
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add vtex/skills --skill vtex-io-messages-and-i18n -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/vtex/skills --path skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add vtex/skills --skill vtex-io-messages-and-i18n -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/vtex/skills/tree/HEAD/skills/vtex-io-messages-and-i18n/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- move button labels and headings out of JSX into message files
- declare message keys in `context.json` without duplicates
- separate storefront and admin keys with prefixes
- keep configuration and secrets out of translation files
- wire app translations into `vtex.messages`

## Example prompts
- Check that every user-facing string in this component comes from messages, not from literals
- Add the key `admin/my-app.save` to `context.json` and `en.json`
- Review the resolvers and tell me where translation belongs at the app boundary and where plain data is enough

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From the same set: [vtex/skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/vtex/skills.md) — 38 cards

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