Frequently Asked Questions

What file formats do you support?

We support iOS string catalogs (.xcstrings) and Laravel translation files (PHP and JSON). Whether you're building a Swift app or a Laravel web project, Parlo has you covered. More formats coming soon!

Is my data sent to some sketchy server?

It depends on your setup:

• BYOK mode (Bring Your Own Keys): Your translations go directly from your Mac to the provider you chose (OpenAI, DeepL, or Google Translate). We never see a thing. Not your API key, not your strings, not that embarrassing placeholder text you forgot to change.
• Magic mode: Too lazy to set up your own API key? We respect that energy. In Magic mode, your translations are routed through our server, and we call OpenAI on your behalf. But here's the thing: we don't save any of your translations. They come in, they go out, like a transit lounge for strings. No logs, no databases, no "we'll use this to train our AI" nonsense.

Either way, your secrets are safe (unless you pushed them to a public repo, in which case... yikes).

Why would I use my own API key instead of Magic mode?

You don't have to! Magic mode works great. But if you're a power user who wants full control, BYOK lets you use your own OpenAI, DeepL, or Google Translate credentials. You pay the provider directly, pick your preferred model, and your data never touches our servers. It's like cooking at home vs. ordering delivery - both get you fed, but one gives you more control over the ingredients.

How accurate are the translations?

Pretty darn good! GPT-5.1 does the heavy lifting. But remember: AI is like that one friend who's "pretty sure" they know directions. Always review the output, especially for languages you don't speak. We'd hate for your app to accidentally insult someone's grandmother in Finnish.

Does Parlo work offline?

Sadly, no. Parlo needs to talk to OpenAI's API, which lives on the internet. If you're coding in a bunker with no WiFi, you'll have to wait until you resurface. On the bright side, you can still preview your strings and prepare your files while offline.

Can I translate to Klingon?

While we appreciate your commitment to intergalactic accessibility, GPT-5.1's Klingon is... questionable at best. Stick to human languages for now. We'll let you know when we achieve first contact.

Why is it called Parlo?

Gather 'round for story time. Picture this: a late night coding session, empty coffee cups everywhere, and a whiteboard full of terrible name ideas like "StringsAndThings", "TranslateOMatic", and the briefly considered "LocalizationStation" (we were very tired).

Then my friend Sabatino walked in. Sabatino is Italian, was once my university student, and makes pizzas so good they should be illegal. While sliding a fresh Margherita onto my desk (yes, this actually happened), he looked at the whiteboard, shook his head in disappointment, and said: "Why not just call it 'Parlo'? It means 'I speak' in Italian."

And just like that, between bites of the best pizza known to mankind, Parlo was born. The app speaks many languages, just like Sabatino speaks fluent pizza. Grazie, Sabatino.

Is there a Windows version?

Parlo is macOS-only for now. iOS developers need a Mac anyway, and Laravel developers... well, we know you love your MacBooks. A web version might happen someday if you ask nicely.

What if I find a bug?

First: thank you for finding it before our users did. Second: please don't just suffer in silence! Drop us a line at [email protected]. We promise to fix it faster than you can say "undefined is not a function."

Can I request a feature?

Absolutely! We love feature requests almost as much as we love coffee. Send your ideas to [email protected]. No promises on delivery timelines, but we read everything. Yes, even the ones asking for dark mode (it's on the list, we swear).