TypeScript Best Practices

When to Apply

Apply these rules when:

• Writing new TypeScript code
• Reviewing TypeScript code
• Refactoring JavaScript to TypeScript
• Fixing type errors
• Optimizing type definitions

Core Rules

1. Avoid any - Use Proper Types

Never use any unless absolutely necessary. Instead:

• Use unknown for truly unknown types
• Use generics for flexible typing
• Use union types for multiple possibilities

// BAD
function parse(data: any): any { ... }

// GOOD
function parse<T>(data: unknown): T | null { ... }

2. Enable Strict Mode

Always use strict TypeScript configuration:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "strict": true,
    "noImplicitAny": true,
    "strictNullChecks": true,
    "noImplicitReturns": true
  }
}

3. Use Type Guards for Runtime Checks

// Type guard function
function isUser(value: unknown): value is User {
  return (
    typeof value === 'object' &&
    value !== null &&
    'id' in value &&
    'name' in value
  );
}

// Usage
if (isUser(data)) {
  console.log(data.name); // TypeScript knows it's User
}

4. Prefer Interfaces for Objects, Types for Unions

// Use interface for object shapes
interface User {
  id: string;
  name: string;
  email: string;
}

// Use type for unions and complex types
type Status = 'pending' | 'active' | 'inactive';
type Result<T> = { success: true; data: T } | { success: false; error: Error };

5. Use Readonly for Immutable Data

interface Config {
  readonly apiUrl: string;
  readonly timeout: number;
}

// Or use Readonly utility
type ImmutableUser = Readonly<User>;

6. Leverage Utility Types

// Partial - all properties optional
type UserUpdate = Partial<User>;

// Pick - select specific properties
type UserPreview = Pick<User, 'id' | 'name'>;

// Omit - exclude properties
type UserWithoutEmail = Omit<User, 'email'>;

// Record - typed object maps
type UserRoles = Record<string, 'admin' | 'user' | 'guest'>;

7. Type-Safe Error Handling

// Define error types
class AppError extends Error {
  constructor(
    message: string,
    public code: string,
    public statusCode: number
  ) {
    super(message);
    this.name = 'AppError';
  }
}

// Result pattern
type Result<T, E = Error> =
  | { ok: true; value: T }
  | { ok: false; error: E };

function divide(a: number, b: number): Result<number> {
  if (b === 0) {
    return { ok: false, error: new Error('Division by zero') };
  }
  return { ok: true, value: a / b };
}

8. Use Generics for Reusable Code

// Generic function
function first<T>(array: T[]): T | undefined {
  return array[0];
}

// Generic with constraints
function getProperty<T, K extends keyof T>(obj: T, key: K): T[K] {
  return obj[key];
}

// Generic interface
interface Repository<T> {
  find(id: string): Promise<T | null>;
  save(entity: T): Promise<T>;
  delete(id: string): Promise<boolean>;
}

9. Const Assertions for Literal Types

// Without as const - type is string[]
const colors = ['red', 'green', 'blue'];

// With as const - type is readonly ['red', 'green', 'blue']
const colors = ['red', 'green', 'blue'] as const;
type Color = typeof colors[number]; // 'red' | 'green' | 'blue'

10. Discriminated Unions for State

type AsyncState<T> =
  | { status: 'idle' }
  | { status: 'loading' }
  | { status: 'success'; data: T }
  | { status: 'error'; error: Error };

function render<T>(state: AsyncState<T>) {
  switch (state.status) {
    case 'idle':
      return 'Ready';
    case 'loading':
      return 'Loading...';
    case 'success':
      return `Data: ${state.data}`; // TypeScript knows data exists
    case 'error':
      return `Error: ${state.error.message}`; // TypeScript knows error exists
  }
}

Naming Conventions

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

1. Don't use any as escape hatch - Use unknown and narrow the type
2. Don't use ! non-null assertion - Check for null/undefined properly
3. Don't use @ts-ignore - Fix the type error instead
4. Don't export everything - Only export what's needed
5. Don't use Function type - Use specific function signatures