How to Auto-Translate Screenshot Captions with Your Own AI Key (Claude or OpenAI-Compatible)

TL;DR

In Settings, choose Anthropic or an OpenAI-compatible provider (with your own base URL), add your key and model. Then one click translates the empty cells for the languages you pick, with an option to overwrite. You pay your provider directly. The key is kept in the app's local settings.

The problem

Translating captions for 20 stores means copying text into a translation site, copying results back into the right cells, and redoing it whenever the copy changes. A translation service built into a screenshot tool usually means another subscription, and your unreleased marketing text going through that vendor’s server.

How it works

AppShots calls an AI provider with your own key, directly from your Mac:

  • Provider: Anthropic, or OpenAI compatible (set your own Base URL, so it works with other services or a self-hosted endpoint).
  • Model: choose the model name.
  • Key: yours. Usage is billed to your account, and there is no AppShots markup or subscription for it.

The text layers’ wording for the default language is sent in a structured request, and results go straight into the translation table, where you can edit them.

Steps

  1. Open Settings and set the provider, key and model.
  2. Write your default-language captions.
  3. Open Locales & translations and add the target languages.
  4. Click AI translate, choose the languages, and decide whether to overwrite existing translations.
  5. Wait for it to finish. Failed languages are reported so you can retry them.
  6. Review the table, then check each language on the canvas. See translating captions.

Quality and safety

  • Skim the output. Models can get tone and product terms wrong. For paid launches, have a native speaker check your key markets.
  • Mark terms to leave alone by keeping brand names and feature names short and consistent in the source.
  • Costs are small (captions are a few words each), but set a spending limit on the key anyway.
  • Key storage. The AI settings, including the key, are kept in the app’s local settings on your Mac. They aren’t sent anywhere but your provider. Use a restricted key.

Without AI

Export the CSV, send it to a translator, import it back. See translating captions.

FAQ

Which providers work? Anthropic, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, where you can set the base URL and model.

Does AppShots charge for translation? No. It calls your provider with your key, so usage is billed to your own account.

Will it overwrite my existing translations? Only if you tick Overwrite existing translations. Otherwise it fills empty cells.

Where is my API key stored? In the app’s local settings on your Mac. Use a key with a spending limit.

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