terminal check ts version

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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26-02-2025

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Knowing your TypeScript version is crucial for ensuring compatibility and leveraging the latest features. This article will guide you through several methods for quickly checking your TypeScript version directly from your terminal. We'll cover various scenarios and operating systems.

Why Check Your TypeScript Version?

Before diving into the methods, let's understand why checking your TypeScript version is important:

• Compatibility: Different projects might require specific TypeScript versions. Knowing your version helps avoid compatibility issues and unexpected errors.
• Feature Availability: Newer TypeScript versions introduce new features and improvements. Checking your version allows you to determine if you have access to these features.
• Bug Fixes: Regularly updating TypeScript is essential to benefit from bug fixes and performance enhancements. Checking your version helps you identify whether you're running an outdated version.
• Troubleshooting: When encountering TypeScript-related errors, knowing your version can be helpful for debugging and finding solutions online.

Methods to Check Your TypeScript Version

There are several ways to check your TypeScript version, depending on your setup and preferences.

Method 1: Using the tsc --version Command

This is the most straightforward and recommended method. Open your terminal or command prompt and type:

tsc --version

This command will directly output your TypeScript version. For example:

Version 5.0.4

If you receive a 'tsc' is not recognized error, it means TypeScript isn't installed or isn't in your system's PATH environment variable. We'll address this in the troubleshooting section.

Method 2: Using npx tsc --version (for local project versions)

If you're working on a project that utilizes a specific TypeScript version through package.json, using npx ensures you're checking the version within that project's context, rather than a globally installed version. Run this command from within your project's directory:

npx tsc --version

This method is particularly useful when dealing with multiple projects using different TypeScript versions.

Method 3: Checking the package.json file (for npm/yarn projects)

If your project manages dependencies via npm or yarn, the TypeScript version is specified within the package.json file under the devDependencies section. Look for an entry similar to this:

{
  "devDependencies": {
    "typescript": "^5.0.4"
  }
}

This indicates that the project uses TypeScript version 5.0.4 (or a compatible version within the semantic versioning range specified by the ^). Remember that this only shows the declared version; it doesn't guarantee it's the version currently running. Always use tsc --version or npx tsc --version for the active version.

Troubleshooting: "tsc" is not recognized

If you encounter the "'tsc' is not recognized" error, it means the TypeScript compiler (tsc) isn't accessible from your terminal. Here's how to resolve it:

1. Verify Installation: Ensure TypeScript is actually installed. You can check using npm or yarn:
   • npm: npm list -g --depth=0 typescript
   • yarn: yarn global list --depth 0
2. Add to PATH: If installed but not recognized, you need to add the TypeScript installation directory to your system's PATH environment variable. The exact steps depend on your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). Search online for "add to PATH [your OS]" for instructions specific to your system. Generally, you'll need to find the location of the tsc executable (usually within your node_modules folder for a local install, or a globally installed location depending on your npm/yarn setup).
3. Reinstall TypeScript: If you're still having trouble, try reinstalling TypeScript:
   • npm: npm install -g typescript
   • yarn: yarn global add typescript

Remember to restart your terminal after modifying PATH or reinstalling.

Conclusion

Checking your TypeScript version is a simple yet essential task for any TypeScript developer. The methods outlined above provide different ways to access this information, depending on your needs and project setup. By understanding these methods and troubleshooting steps, you can confidently manage your TypeScript environment and ensure smooth development.