# gt: General Translation CLI tool: HTML
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/cli/reference/formats/html-files.mdx
---

title: HTML
description: Translate HTML files with the General Translation CLI. API reference for the HTML file format.

---

The CLI translates HTML files. All syntax and formatting in the source files is preserved in the translated files.

## Configuration [#config]

Add an `html` entry under `files` with an `include` array of glob patterns. Use the `[locale]` placeholder so the CLI can find source files and save translations to the right path.

```json title="gt.config.json"
{
  "defaultLocale": "en",
  "locales": ["es", "fr"],
  "files": {
    "html": {
      "include": ["docs/[locale]/**/*.html"]
    }
  }
}
```

See the [configuration reference](/docs/cli/reference/config#files) for all file keys, including `transform` for renaming translated output.

## Update existing translations [#update-translations]

When an HTML file changes, General Translation reuses matching translated elements from earlier versions and translates only new or changed content. This preserves existing translations while reducing the work required for an update.

Force retranslation and Glossary retranslation skip this incremental reuse.