# python: Local Translation Storage
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/python/guides/local-tx.mdx
---
title: Local Translation Storage
description: Store translations locally instead of fetching from a CDN
---

## What are local translations?

By default, GT's Python libraries fetch translations from the General Translation CDN at runtime. With local translations, you bundle translation files with your app — no external network requests needed.

<Callout>
  **Default behavior:** GT uses CDN storage by default. Only switch to local storage if you need the specific benefits it provides.
</Callout>

## Trade-offs

### Benefits of local translations
- **Faster responses**: No network round-trips to fetch translations
- **No reliance on external services**: Your app works independently of CDN availability
- **Works offline**: Translations are part of your deployment

### Drawbacks of local translations
- **Increased deployment size**: Every supported locale adds translation files
- **Redeploy to update**: Changing a translation requires a new deployment

## Setup

### Step 1: Configure the CLI

Install the GT CLI and configure it for local storage:

```bash
pip install gt-cli
gt configure
```

When prompted:
- **Save to CDN?** Select "No"
- **Translation directory:** Enter `./translations`

### Step 2: Generate translations

```bash
gt translate
```

This creates JSON files in your `translations/` directory — one per locale.

### Step 3: Load translations in your app

Point your app at the local translation files:

<Tabs items={['Flask', 'FastAPI']}>
  <Tab value="Flask">
  ```python
  import json
  from pathlib import Path
  from flask import Flask
  from gt_flask import initialize_gt

  app = Flask(__name__)

  def load_translations(locale: str):
      path = Path('translations') / f'{locale}.json'
      if path.exists():
          return json.loads(path.read_text())
      return {}

  initialize_gt(
      app,
      default_locale='en',
      locales=['es', 'fr', 'ja'],
      load_translations=load_translations,
  )
  ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab value="FastAPI">
  ```python
  import json
  from pathlib import Path
  from fastapi import FastAPI
  from gt_fastapi import initialize_gt

  app = FastAPI()

  def load_translations(locale: str):
      path = Path('translations') / f'{locale}.json'
      if path.exists():
          return json.loads(path.read_text())
      return {}

  initialize_gt(
      app,
      default_locale='en',
      locales=['es', 'fr', 'ja'],
      load_translations=load_translations,
  )
  ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Build integration

Generate translations as part of your deployment pipeline:

```yaml title=".github/workflows/deploy.yml"
- name: Generate Translations
  run: gt translate

- name: Deploy
  run: <YOUR_DEPLOY_COMMAND>
```

Or in a `Makefile`:

```makefile
deploy:
	gt translate
	<YOUR_DEPLOY_COMMAND>
```

<Callout>
  Always generate translations before deploying. If translation files are missing, `t()` falls back to the original string in your `default_locale`.
</Callout>

## Next steps

- [CLI `translate` command](/docs/cli/translate) — translation generation reference
- [String Translation Patterns](/docs/python/guides/strings) — how to translate content
- [Locale Detection & Middleware](/docs/python/guides/middleware) — how locale context works