Unlock Blazing-Fast TypeScript Development with Go: A Deep Dive into `typescript-go`

Are you a TypeScript developer seeking unparalleled performance? The typescript-go project from Microsoft offers a compelling glimpse into the future of the language. This article is your comprehensive guide to understanding, building, and experimenting with this innovative project. Let's delve into how it can revolutionize your workflow.

What is `typescript-go` and Why Should You Care?

typescript-go is an experimental port of the TypeScript compiler to Go. The goal? To leverage Go's speed and efficiency to dramatically improve compilation times. Think faster builds, quicker feedback loops, and a smoother development experience. This could be a game-changer for large-scale TypeScript projects. If you need to build quicker, typescript-go may be the tool for you.

Getting Started: Building and Running `typescript-go`

Ready to experiment with this cutting-edge technology? Here's how to get started:

Prerequisites: Ensure you have Go (1.24+), Rust (1.85+), and Node.js with npm installed.
Clone the Repository: Use the following command to clone the repository, including its submodule:
```
git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/microsoft/typescript-go.git
```
Initialize Submodules (if needed): If you've already cloned the repo without submodules, use:
```
git submodule update --init --recursive
```

Run Build Tasks: Navigate to the cloned directory in your terminal and use the hereby tool to automate common tasks:

hereby build  # Verify that the project builds
hereby test   # Run all tests
hereby install-tools # Install additional tools such as linters
hereby lint   # Run all linters
hereby format # Format all code

Execute TypeScript Compilation: After building, you can run the compiler by running built/local/tsgo.

Simulate Standard TypeScript Compilation with `tsgo tsc`

You can use tsgo tsc [flags] to simulate standard Typescript compilation. This command ensures a higher fidelity testing with the regular tsc.

Dive into the LSP Prototype

Want to experience the Language Server Protocol (LSP) powered by typescript-go? Here's how:

Open the project in VS Code: code .
Copy the launch configuration: Copy .vscode/launch.template.json to .vscode/launch.json.
Start Debugging: Press F5 or use the "Debug: Start Debugging" command in VS Code.

This will launch a new VS Code instance using the Corsa LS backend! To verify it is working, check to see that "typescript-go" is an option in the Output pane.

Contributing to the Future of TypeScript

The project welcomes contributions!

Before submitting a pull request, ensure you've signed the Contributor License Agreement (CLA). A CLA bot will guide you through the process. These agreements protect open-source projects.
Adhere to the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct.

Important Considerations & Future Plans

typescript-go is still under active development and may contain bugs.
Keep an eye on the CHANGES.md file for intentional changes with respect to TypeScript 5.7.
The long-term plan is to merge typescript-go back into the main TypeScript repository, so the separate repo will eventually be closed.

By getting involved now, you can help shape the future of TypeScript development. Explore the code, report issues (carefully!), and contribute to a faster, more efficient TypeScript ecosystem.

Unlock Blazing-Fast TypeScript Development with Go: A Deep Dive into typescript-go

What is typescript-go and Why Should You Care?

Getting Started: Building and Running typescript-go

Ready to experiment with this cutting-edge technology? Here's how to get started:

Prerequisites: Ensure you have Go (1.24+), Rust (1.85+), and Node.js with npm installed.

Clone the Repository: Use the following command to clone the repository, including its submodule:

git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/microsoft/typescript-go.git

Initialize Submodules (if needed): If you've already cloned the repo without submodules, use:

git submodule update --init --recursive

Run Build Tasks: Navigate to the cloned directory in your terminal and use the hereby tool to automate common tasks:

hereby build  # Verify that the project builds
hereby test   # Run all tests
hereby install-tools # Install additional tools such as linters
hereby lint   # Run all linters
hereby format # Format all code

Execute TypeScript Compilation: After building, you can run the compiler by running built/local/tsgo.

Simulate Standard TypeScript Compilation with tsgo tsc

You can use tsgo tsc [flags] to simulate standard Typescript compilation. This command ensures a higher fidelity testing with the regular tsc.

Dive into the LSP Prototype

Want to experience the Language Server Protocol (LSP) powered by typescript-go? Here's how:

Open the project in VS Code: code .

Copy the launch configuration: Copy .vscode/launch.template.json to .vscode/launch.json.

Start Debugging: Press F5 or use the "Debug: Start Debugging" command in VS Code.

This will launch a new VS Code instance using the Corsa LS backend! To verify it is working, check to see that "typescript-go" is an option in the Output pane.

Contributing to the Future of TypeScript

The project welcomes contributions!

Before submitting a pull request, ensure you've signed the Contributor License Agreement (CLA). A CLA bot will guide you through the process. These agreements protect open-source projects.

Adhere to the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct.

Important Considerations & Future Plans

typescript-go is still under active development and may contain bugs.

Keep an eye on the CHANGES.md file for intentional changes with respect to TypeScript 5.7.

The long-term plan is to merge typescript-go back into the main TypeScript repository, so the separate repo will eventually be closed.

By getting involved now, you can help shape the future of TypeScript development. Explore the code, report issues (carefully!), and contribute to a faster, more efficient TypeScript ecosystem.