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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.

Runtime options (ts-node/tsx) & sourcemaps is a free TypeScript Academy lesson on CoddyKit — 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, one of 2 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

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?

Recap

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

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, and the TypeScript Academy course includes 2 lessons in total. 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.

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; this is — lesson 2 of 2, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

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

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