How to Fix the "tsc Command Not Found" Error in TypeScript

TypeScript’s tsc (TypeScript Compiler) is an essential tool for compiling TypeScript code into JavaScript. If you encounter the error "tsc: command not found", it typically means TypeScript isn't installed or configured correctly. Here's a step-by-step guide to resolve this issue.

Common Causes of the Error

1. TypeScript is not installed.
2. TypeScript is installed locally instead of globally.
3. The environment variable PATH does not include the TypeScript binary.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Verify TypeScript Installation

Run the following command in your terminal:

If you see an error, it means TypeScript isn’t installed or is not accessible globally.

2. Install TypeScript Globally

Install TypeScript globally using npm:

After installation, confirm by running:

3. Add TypeScript to Your PATH

If tsc is installed but not recognized, ensure the installation path is added to your system’s PATH.

On Windows:

1. Locate the global node_modules folder (e.g., C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Roaming\npm).
2. Add the folder to your PATH:

• Open "Environment Variables" in System Settings.
• Edit the Path variable and include the directory path.

On macOS/Linux:

1. Add the npm global directory to your shell configuration:
   export PATH=$PATH:$(npm config get prefix)/bin
2. Save and restart your terminal.

4. Use npx for Local Installations

If TypeScript is installed locally in a project, you can use npx to run the tsc command without a global installation:

5. Check Node.js and npm Installation

Ensure you have Node.js and npm installed. You can verify with:

1 node -v
2 npm -v

If either is missing, download and install the latest version of Node.js from https://nodejs.org.

6. Reinstall TypeScript

If issues persist, reinstall TypeScript:

Conclusion

The "tsc: command not found" error is commonly due to a missing or misconfigured TypeScript installation. By following these steps, you can ensure that tsc works seamlessly on your system, allowing you to compile TypeScript code without interruption.