ts-node

ts-node [-P config] [--transpile-only] [--swc] [--esm] [options] [file] [args]

ts-node is a TypeScript execution engine for Node.js that compiles and runs TypeScript files on-the-fly without a separate build step. By default it performs full type checking at runtime, reporting type errors before execution begins.The --transpile-only mode skips type checking for significantly faster startup, which is useful during development when your editor already provides type feedback. The --swc flag uses the SWC transpiler (written in Rust) for an even greater speed improvement, and implies --transpileOnly. ESM mode (--esm) handles ES module imports and is needed when working with import/export syntax natively. The built-in REPL provides an interactive TypeScript environment for experimentation.Configuration is loaded from tsconfig.json by default, and a custom config can be specified with -P. The tool integrates well with development workflows using ts-node-dev or nodemon for automatic restart on file changes.

-P FILE

Path to tsconfig.json.

Skip type checking.

Use ESM loader.

Evaluate code.

Evaluate and print.

Require module.

Pretty-print errors.

Skip loading tsconfig.json.

Transpile with SWC for faster startup. Implies --transpileOnly.

Load files, include, and exclude from tsconfig.json on startup.

TypeScript compiler to use (default: typescript).

Ignore TypeScript diagnostics by code.

Write compiled output files to .ts-node directory.

Force REPL even if stdin is not a terminal.

Skip ignore checks, allowing compilation of files in node_modules.

Merge JSON compiler options with tsconfig.

Print resolved tsconfig.json and exit.

Slower startup than precompiled JavaScript. Type checking adds overhead. Some advanced TypeScript features need configuration. Not recommended for production.

ts-node was created around 2015 to enable direct TypeScript execution. It became essential for TypeScript development, enabling scripts, REPL, and development servers.

tsc(1), node(1), npx(1), tsx(1)