---
title: Getting Started
description: Native Flutter i18n with the better_i18n Dart SDK — CDN-driven translations with offline support.
---

## Overview

`better_i18n` is a pure Dart + Flutter SDK that loads translations from the better-i18n CDN at runtime. It uses the same CDN infrastructure as the Expo and iOS SDKs — meaning your translations are managed in one place and delivered to all platforms.

- **CDN-driven** — Translations update without app store releases
- **Offline-first** — 4-tier fallback: memory → CDN → persistent storage → static data
- **Reactive UI** — `BetterI18nProvider` rebuilds widgets automatically on locale change
- **No codegen** — No build steps, no generated files, no native modules

<Callout type="info">
  `BetterI18nProvider` handles everything — CDN fetch, caching, locale switching, and loading/error states. Use `context.t('key')` anywhere in the widget tree.
</Callout>

<Callout type="tip">
  **Integrating with AI?** Run `npx skills add better-i18n/skills` first — your agent (Cursor, Claude Code, or Windsurf) will already know the SDK patterns, CDN behavior, and key conventions. Then just ask it to set up the integration for you. [Learn more →](/mcp/agent-skill)
</Callout>

## Features

<Cards>
  <Card title="Offline-First" icon="WifiOff">
    4-tier fallback chain ensures translations are always available — even without network.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Reactive UI" icon="Zap">
    Locale switches rebuild the widget tree instantly via ChangeNotifier.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Locale Switching" icon="Globe">
    `context.setI18nLocale('tr')` — pre-loads translations before switching.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Testing Utilities" icon="FlaskConical">
    `MemoryStorage` and `BetterI18nScope` make widget testing straightforward.
  </Card>
  <Card title="No Codegen" icon="Code">
    Pure Dart — no build_runner, no generated files, no native modules required.
  </Card>
</Cards>

## Quick Start

```yaml title="pubspec.yaml"
dependencies:
  better_i18n: ^0.1.0
```

```dart title="lib/main.dart"
import 'package:better_i18n/better_i18n.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(
    BetterI18nProvider(
      projectId: 'your-org/your-project', // [!code highlight]
      defaultLocale: 'en',
      child: const MyApp(),
    ),
  );
}
```

```dart title="lib/home_screen.dart"
import 'package:better_i18n/better_i18n.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

class HomeScreen extends StatelessWidget {
  const HomeScreen({super.key});

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      body: Center(
        child: Column(
          mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.center,
          children: [
            Text(context.t('common.welcome')), // [!code highlight]
            Text(context.t('common.greeting', args: {'name': 'Osman'})), // [!code highlight]
          ],
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}
```

## Guide

<Cards>
  <Card title="Setup" icon="Settings" href="/frameworks/flutter/setup">
    Installation, configuration, and locale switching.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Offline & Caching" icon="WifiOff" href="/frameworks/flutter/offline-caching">
    How the 4-tier fallback chain and persistent storage work.
  </Card>
  <Card title="API Reference" icon="FileCode" href="/frameworks/flutter/api-reference">
    Complete API documentation for all exports.
  </Card>
</Cards>

## Comparison

| Feature | Flutter | Expo | iOS |
|---------|---------|------|-----|
| Language | Dart | TypeScript | Swift |
| i18n library | better_i18n | i18next | better-i18n-ios |
| UI framework | Flutter widgets | React Native | SwiftUI / UIKit |
| Offline support | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
| Reactive rebuilds | ChangeNotifier | React state | @Observable / ObservableObject |
| Persistent cache | SharedPrefsStorage | MMKV / AsyncStorage | UserDefaults |
| No codegen | Yes | Yes | Yes |

Choose Flutter for cross-platform mobile apps written in Dart. For React Native / Expo apps, see [Expo](/frameworks/expo). For native iOS, see [iOS](/frameworks/ios).


## AI Tooling

Now that you've integrated the SDK, your AI agent can check coverage, translate keys, and publish — all without leaving your editor.

<Cards>
  <Card title="MCP Server" icon="Bot" href="/mcp/getting-started">
    Translate keys, check coverage, and publish — all from your editor via Cursor, Claude Code, or Windsurf.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Agent Skill" icon="Sparkles" href="/mcp/agent-skill">
    Permanent better-i18n knowledge for your AI agent — SDK patterns, CDN behavior, key conventions. No prompts needed each session.
  </Card>
</Cards>
