One small file controls how strict and how modern your TypeScript is.
Direct answer
tsconfig.json is the TypeScript project configuration file. Create it with npx tsc --init. The options that matter most for beginners are strict, target, module, outDir and include.
A starter config
{
"compilerOptions": {
"target": "ES2020",
"module": "ESNext",
"strict": true,
"outDir": "dist",
"esModuleInterop": true,
"skipLibCheck": true
},
"include": ["src"]
}
What the options do
| Option | Purpose |
|---|---|
target | which JavaScript version to output |
module | module system for imports |
strict | turns on the strict checks |
outDir | where compiled files go |
include | which folders to compile |
Tips
- Keep
stricton for new projects. - Framework templates usually give you a good tsconfig already.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's TypeScript for Beginners course turns this into short lessons you can play in a few minutes a day. It has 20 lessons, and you can start free.
The bottom line
Start with strict mode and change other settings only when you need to.
