TypeScript Academy · Lesson

Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps

Use ts-node or tsx to run TS directly, and sourcemaps for debugging stack traces in Node.

Lesson 2 of 28 steps

Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps is a free TypeScript Academy lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 2 of 2. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the TypeScript Academy learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The TypeScript Academy course includes 2 lessons in total.

Intro

Goal: Run TypeScript directly in Node with ts-node or tsx, and enable sourcemaps for debugging.

ts-node basics

ts-node compiles and runs TS on the fly. Good for quick scripts, but adds startup overhead.

npx ts-node src/index.ts

tsx basics

tsx is a faster runtime using esbuild under the hood. Great for dev workflows and supports ESM smoothly.

npx tsx src/index.ts

Example run

Both ts-node and tsx let you run TS files directly, no manual build step.

// index.ts
console.log("Hello TS runtime");

Sourcemap config

Sourcemaps: Enable in tsconfig. Stack traces and debuggers show original TS line numbers.

// tsconfig.json
{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "sourceMap": true
  }
}

Debug trace

With sourcemaps, stack traces point to TS code instead of compiled JS output.

try {
  throw new Error("boom");
} catch (e) {
  console.error(e);
}

Sourcemap check

Quick check: What do sourcemaps enable?

Answer it in the interactive lesson

Recap

Recap: ts-node and tsx run TS directly. sourceMap in tsconfig enables clear stack traces.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the “Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps” is free to read here on the web. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the TypeScript Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO. The TypeScript Academy course includes 2 lessons in total.

What will I learn in “Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps”?

Use ts-node or tsx to run TS directly, and sourcemaps for debugging stack traces in Node. You practise TypeScript Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start TypeScript Academy?

No prior experience is required. TypeScript Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 2 of 2.

How long does the “Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this TypeScript Academy lesson?

Yes. Every TypeScript Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

@types/node, ESM vs CJS in Node
Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps

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