# Extract

Extract translatable strings from the source into the catalogs.

### Syntax

```
$ vela i18n extract
```

```
$ vela i18n
```

This is the default subcommand, so `vela i18n` on its own does the same thing. Strings are read out of the markup rather than maintained as keys in a separate file, so extraction is what keeps the catalogs in step with the code.

Run it after adding or changing user-facing copy, and before handing catalogs to translators.