Could not resolve the path with the extensions '.ts', '.tsx'

# Could not resolve the path with the extensions '.ts', '.tsx'

The error "Could not resolve the path with the extensions '.ts', '.tsx'" occurs when we incorrectly use the tsc command.

To solve the error, make sure to only pass valid flags to tsc, e.g. tsc --project tsconfig.json, tsc --init or tsc --watch.

could not resolve path with extensions

Here is an example of how the error occurs.

shell

Copied!
tsc .

# error TS6231: Could not resolve the path '' with
# the extensions: '.ts', '.tsx', '.d.ts', '.cts', '.d.cts', '.mts', '.d.mts'.
  # The file is in the program because:
    # Root file specified for compilation

The error is caused when we pass incorrect parameters or flags to the tsc command.

TypeScript thinks that we only want to emit JS for a file called . when we use the tsc . command and it errors out.

For example, if you issue a command tsc init, the TypeScript compiler thinks that you want to emit JS for a file called init. Instead, you should use the init flag, tsc --init.

# Commonly used `tsc` commands

Here are some common commands you could use.

shell

Copied!
# Run a compile based on a backwards look through the fs for a tsconfig.json
tsc

# Initializes a TypeScript project and creates a tsconfig.json file
tsc --init

# Watch input files
tsc --watch

# Show the compiler's version
tsc --version

# Emit JS for just the index.ts with the compiler defaults
tsc index.ts

# Emit JS for any .ts files in the folder src, with the default settings
tsc src/*.ts

# Emit files referenced in with the compiler settings from tsconfig.production.json
tsc --project tsconfig.production.json

# Emit d.ts files for a js file with showing compiler options which are booleans
tsc index.js --declaration --emitDeclarationOnly

# Emit a single .js file from two files via compiler options which take string arguments
tsc app.ts util.ts --target esnext --outfile index.js

A helpful command you can use for debugging is tsc --all. The command shows all of the options.

Alternatively, you can look for the syntax of the command and the available options in the tsc cli reference.

If you get an error that tsc is not recognized or not found, click on the link and follow the instructions.

I've also written a detailed guide on how to check which version of TypeScript is installed.

I wrote a book in which I share everything I know about how to become a better, more efficient programmer.

You can use the search field on my Home Page to filter through all of my articles.

Could not resolve the path with the extensions '.ts', '.tsx'

# Could not resolve the path with the extensions '.ts', '.tsx'

# Commonly used tsc commands

Borislav Hadzhiev

# Commonly used `tsc` commands