Chapter 1 · Lesson 2

Setting Up TypeScript

Setting up TypeScript is straightforward with Node.js and npm.

Installation:

bash

# Install globally
npm install -g typescript

# Or per project (recommended)
npm install --save-dev typescript

Initialize a Project:

bash

# Create tsconfig.json
tsc --init

tsconfig.json Options: Key options to know:

target: JavaScript version to compile to (ES2020, ESNext)
module: Module system (commonjs, ESNext)
strict: Enable all strict type checking
outDir: Output directory for compiled JS

Compiling:

bash

# Compile a single file
tsc file.ts

# Compile entire project
tsc

# Watch mode - recompile on changes
tsc --watch

Running TypeScript:

ts-node: Run TypeScript directly
Build tools: Vite, webpack, esbuild

Code Examples

tsconfig.json Examplejson

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    // JavaScript version to compile to
    "target": "ES2020",
    
    // Module system
    "module": "ESNext",
    
    // Enable all strict type checking
    "strict": true,
    
    // Output directory
    "outDir": "./dist",
    
    // Source directory
    "rootDir": "./src",
    
    // Generate source maps for debugging
    "sourceMap": true,
    
    // Allow importing .json files
    "resolveJsonModule": true,
    
    // Ensure imports are consistent
    "esModuleInterop": true,
    
    // Skip type checking of declaration files
    "skipLibCheck": true
  },
  "include": ["src/**/*"],
  "exclude": ["node_modules"]
}

The tsconfig.json file configures how TypeScript compiles your code. Start with strict mode enabled for best type safety.

Quick Quiz

1. What command initializes a TypeScript project?

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Code Examples

tsconfig.json Examplejson

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    // JavaScript version to compile to
    "target": "ES2020",
    
    // Module system
    "module": "ESNext",
    
    // Enable all strict type checking
    "strict": true,
    
    // Output directory
    "outDir": "./dist",
    
    // Source directory
    "rootDir": "./src",
    
    // Generate source maps for debugging
    "sourceMap": true,
    
    // Allow importing .json files
    "resolveJsonModule": true,
    
    // Ensure imports are consistent
    "esModuleInterop": true,
    
    // Skip type checking of declaration files
    "skipLibCheck": true
  },
  "include": ["src/**/*"],
  "exclude": ["node_modules"]
}

The tsconfig.json file configures how TypeScript compiles your code. Start with strict mode enabled for best type safety.