Node.js Just Got Cooler: Native TypeScript and Watch Mode Are Here to Party

Node.js just rolled up in sunglasses, holding a smoothie, and said, “Guess who supports TypeScript natively now?” That’s right—it’s leveling up in a big way. With built-in TypeScript support and a brand new watch mode, you can finally spend less time wrangling build tools and more time pretending to debug while secretly scrolling memes.

1. Native TypeScript Support: No Compiler? No Problem.
Remember the old days when you had to run tsc just to breathe near a TypeScript file? That’s history. Now, Node.js can run .ts files directly using the --experimental-transform flag. It’s like Node looked at your workflow and said, “You deserve better.”

Here’s the magic spell:

node --experimental-transform-types ./src/index.ts

No compiling. No bundling. No stress. Just type, run, repeat. Sure, it’s still marked as experimental, but so were electric cars—and look at them now.

2. Watch Mode: Because Manually Restarting is So 2022

If you’ve ever fixed a bug and then sighed dramatically while restarting your app… good news: Node.js watch mode has entered the chat. It watches your files and restarts the app automatically when something changes—like an attentive sidekick who actually pulls their weight.

Use it like this:

node --watch ./src/index.ts

Or specify what to watch:

node --watch-path=./src ./src/index.ts

Bonus Tip: Let package.json Do the Heavy Lifting

Add a script to your package.json like this:

"scripts": {
    "dev": "node --experimental-transform-types --watch-path=./src src/index.ts",
 },

Now you can just run:

npm run dev

No more typing out long commands like you’re programming in the Stone Age.

Wrapping Up: Node.js Just Became Your Cool Dev Friend
These new features aren’t just convenient—they’re a vibe. Native TypeScript support means fewer tools to manage. Watch mode means faster feedback loops. And your brain? It means less cluttered by “Did I forget to restart the server?”

So give it a whirl. Build something. Break something. Fix it. Repeat. Just remember to hydrate—and maybe check a meme or two along the way.