CoCalc: Scaling real-time collaboration across 17 languages

About CoCalc

Founded in 2013, CoCalc is developed by Sagemath, Inc. and offers a powerful online platform for real-time collaboration in Jupyter Notebooks, LaTeX documents, and SageMath. Designed for individuals, research teams, and classrooms, CoCalc provides a scalable, cloud-based environment for technical computing and education.

What sets CoCalc apart from competitors is its deep vertical integration of various technologies combined with real-time collaboration features — enabling users to write code, edit documents, and communicate seamlessly, all within a unified interface. This focus on tight integration and speed of collaboration makes it a unique and efficient tool for scientific and educational work.

As their user base grew internationally, so did the demand for multi-language support.

Breaking language barriers

Before discovering SimpleLocalize, CoCalc had no formal translation process in place.

"We had no translation process before. Understanding how SimpleLocalize works and how it can scale up was the trigger to even start working on localizing the application."
— Harald Schilly, CTO at CoCalc (Sagemath, Inc.)

Thanks to SimpleLocalize, they were able to support 17 languages, reaching users from all around the world — something that would have been impossible with manual translation.

Workflow powered by automation and AI

The CoCalc team uses React Intl in combination with SimpleLocalize. A simple Bash script extracts all translation keys into JSON format and uploads them to SimpleLocalize. This upload automatically triggers OpenAI-powered translations, enhanced by custom prompts and keyword annotations for accuracy.

Key features of their workflow:

• Auto-translation automation
  New keys are uploaded and instantly translated via an automation, providing up-to-date translations without manual intervention.
• Context-aware AI translations
  Custom prompts, keywords and key descriptions ensure translations are accurate and relevant to the context of CoCalc's interface.
• Efficient key management
  Custom scripts help remove unused keys, keeping the project clean and efficient.
• Real-time updates
  Translations are updated in real-time, allowing users to see changes immediately.

Results & Improvements

Since implementing SimpleLocalize, the CoCalc team has seen significant improvements in their localization process.

"Without Simplelocalize, it would not have been possible to offer that many languages. We strived to support all major languages, where we also know that there are users."

Key benefits include:

• Faster translation updates, with AI handling most of the work
• Reduced manual effort, allowing the team to focus on product development
• Improved user experience with a more inclusive interface
• Ability to scale translations easily as the product grows

These improvements have not only made CoCalc more accessible to a global audience but also enhanced the overall user experience, making it easier for users to collaborate and learn in their preferred language.

Advice from the CoCalc Team

Don't think about going "all in" or be blocked by trying to be "perfect". From what I gathered so far from users, an incomplete and slightly off translation is still better than no translation. So, start iteratively, with the most frequently used aspects, and don't stress yourself too much. Users who are unhappy can always go back to the default (in our case, English).

CoCalc encourages teams to begin localization process simply and improve over time. Their own approach has been gradual and pragmatic, prioritizing the most visible areas of their interface first. They also emphasize the importance of context-based AI translation and using automation to stay efficient.

Language selector

CoCalc offers its interface in 17 languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, and more. The language switcher is easily accessible from the user's profile, allowing users to select their preferred language with just a few clicks.

A standout feature of CoCalc's language selector is how it displays each language in two ways:

• First, in the native name of the target language
• Then, in the user's current language

This thoughtful touch makes the selector more intuitive — especially for multilingual users or those unsure of the native spelling of a language name.

Additionally, at the bottom of the dropdown, users can find a “Translation Info” link. This opens a helpful pop-up that explains that the translation effort is ongoing and provides details on how users can contribute or provide feedback.

This message sets clear expectations and shows that the team cares about making their app better for everyone — a great example for others starting their own translation journey.

Conclusion

CoCalc's journey with SimpleLocalize demonstrates how a well-designed localization process can transform a product's reach and usability. By leveraging automation, AI, and a user-friendly interface, they have created a multilingual platform that serves a diverse global audience.

Their experience shows that you don't need a huge team or complex infrastructure to deliver a quality, multilingual product. With the right localization tool, you can save time, reduce costs, and make your product more inclusive, all at once.

As CoCalc continues to grow, they are excited to see how SimpleLocalize will help them expand their language offerings and improve the user experience for their global community.