i18n applications are programmed using i18n kits under libraries. These allow developers to write a simple file and translate displayed menus and texts to each language.

The FreeBSD Ports Collection contains many applications with built-in support for wide or multibyte characters for several languages. Such applications include i18n in their names for easy identification. However, they do not always support the language needed.

Some applications can be compiled with the specific charset. This is usually done in the port's Makefile or by passing a value to configure. Refer to the i18n documentation in the respective FreeBSD port's source for more information on how to determine the needed configure value or the port's Makefile to determine which compile options to use when building the port.