# Stringproof - instructions for language models

Stringproof validates Apple `.strings` catalogs for structural and linguistic corruption. It is deterministic, local, and read-only. It never translates or repairs files.

## Install

```sh
curl -fsSL https://workcell-137.pages.dev/stringproof/install.sh | sh
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
```

## Command

```text
stringproof check <root> --source-locale <locale> [--json]
```

Catalogs must use `<locale>.lproj/*.strings`. Stringproof pairs source and target catalogs by relative path.

## Agent contract

Use `--json`.

- Exit `0` means clean.
- Exit `1` means findings. Read `findings` and `summary`.
- Exit `2` means invalid invocation, unreadable input, or internal failure.
- Each finding contains `code`, `severity`, `path`, `line`, `locale`, `key`, and `message`.
- Human output is silent when clean.
- Do not ask Stringproof to translate, rewrite, or repair files.

Stringproof checks syntax, duplicate and drifting keys, printf/ICU/Swift placeholders, replacement characters, mojibake, prompt residue, unexpected scripts, and suspicious unchanged text.

It cannot determine whether a translation is correct, natural, or appropriate. It may flag legitimate unchanged names, miss altered source text, or miss an entirely absent target locale.