# Project package

Source: https://traduq.com/glossary/project-package · Updated October 14, 2026

A **project package** is a single file in which a [CAT tool](https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-tool) bundles a translation job's bilingual files, resources and instructions, so the translator can open the job in one step and send the finished work back in a matching return package.

## What is inside a project package

The project manager creates the package from a project in their CAT tool and decides what goes in. Typically that is:

- The documents to translate or review, as bilingual files such as [SDLXLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/sdlxliff) or MQXLIFF
- [Translation memories](https://traduq.com/glossary/translation-memory) and [termbases](https://traduq.com/glossary/termbase), either the full ones or a smaller set made for the job
- Reference files
- Project details: the assigned task, the deadline and, in Trados, the word count and analysis figures

A Trados package is a zip file with its own extension, so you can unzip it to see what it holds.

## Packages and return packages

The workflow has two halves. The translator receives the package, works on it, and sends back a return package with the finished files. The project manager opens it and their project is updated. In Trados, the return package holds only the translated files, without memories or termbases.

- **Trados Studio:** the project package is an .sdlppx file and the return package an .sdlrpx file
- **memoQ:** the handoff package is an .mqout file and the delivery package an .mqback file

Trados creates a return package only for files that arrived in a project package. memoQ imports Trados packages and exports .sdlrpx return packages; other tools may open a package but not produce a return package the sender's tool accepts. Our post on [how to open an SDLPPX without Trados](https://traduq.com/blog/open-sdlppx-without-trados) compares the options.

## Example

An agency sends you manual_de-DE.sdlppx. Inside are three SDLXLIFF files, a project translation memory and a termbase. Before accepting, you drop the package into a word count tool and see 6,200 words, 1,400 of them repetitions. You translate the files in memoQ, which imported the package, and export manual_de-DE.sdlrpx. The agency opens it in Trados, the translated files replace the empty ones, and they generate the final German manual.

TraduQ's free tools help with packages in the browser: the [word count and quote tool](https://traduq.com/tools/translation-quote) reads an .sdlppx directly, the [SDLTM converter](https://traduq.com/tools/sdltm-converter) opens a Trados memory found inside, and the [QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) checks SDLXLIFF, MQXLIFF and MQXLZ files before you deliver.

## Try it

- [Word count & quote](https://traduq.com/tools/translation-quote) — Count words by match band against your TM or CAT report, price the job and download the quote PDF.
- [Translation QA checker](https://traduq.com/tools/qa-checker) — Check numbers, tags, spaces and consistency in bilingual files.
- [Open SDLTM files](https://traduq.com/tools/sdltm-converter) — Read Trados memories without Trados and save them as TMX, Excel or CSV.

## Related terms

- [SDLXLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/sdlxliff)
- [XLIFF](https://traduq.com/glossary/xliff)
- [CAT tool](https://traduq.com/glossary/cat-tool)
- [Translation memory](https://traduq.com/glossary/translation-memory)
- [Termbase](https://traduq.com/glossary/termbase)

## Related guides

- [How to Open an SDLPPX (Trados Package) Without Trados](https://traduq.com/blog/open-sdlppx-without-trados) — What's inside a Trados .sdlppx package, how to open and translate it in memoQ, Wordfast Pro, Smartcat or by unzipping it, and when you still need Trados.
- [Best Trados Alternatives in 2026 for Freelance Translators](https://traduq.com/blog/trados-alternatives) — Trados Studio alternatives for freelancers in 2026: memoQ, Wordfast Pro, Phrase TMS, CafeTran, OmegaT and MateCat on price, Mac and Trados files.
- [Wordfast vs Trados Studio (2026): Price, Features, Mac](https://traduq.com/blog/wordfast-vs-trados) — Wordfast Pro or Trados Studio? 2026 prices, three-year cost, Mac and Linux support, Trados packages, TM features and which to pick.