Rich developed locale-aware string collation for sorting operations in the uutils/coreutils repository, focusing on correct linguistic ordering in UTF-8 locales. He leveraged the ICU collator infrastructure to replace a previous bypass in the fast_lexicographic sorting path, ensuring that sorting now respects internationalization requirements. His work involved implementing feature flags, adjusting sorting logic, and writing comprehensive tests to validate the handling of accented characters. Using Rust and applying skills in algorithm design and system programming, Rich addressed a nuanced problem in multilingual environments, delivering a robust foundation for future locale-sensitive features and improving the repository’s support for diverse user locales.