config-file-ts-async

Just use TypeScript for configuration files.

Summary

Based on config-file-ts by lee mighdoll. This version adds support for asynchronous opperations, and more flexible cache storage.

TypeScript is more syntactically flexible than JSON. Comments are allowed. Keys needn't be quoted. Arrays can have trailing commas.

TypeScript allows a little programming in config files. Share variables, use utility functions, etc.

TypeScript types provide free error checking, and free IDE support for getting config files right.

Fast

Parsing TypeScript config files is plenty quick. config-file-ts caches the TypeScript output.

Assuming TypeScript is in your environment, config-file-ts adds about 5kb to your program, or 1.5kb minified.

How to use

$ yarn add config-file-ts-async

In the config file, export default. my.config.ts:

export default {
  entry: 'my stuff', // comments are welcome now
};

Feel free to add types and scripting. my.config.ts:

import os from 'os'; // use installed libraries in the config
import { MyConfig } from './MyProgram';

export default {
  entry: `${os.userInfo().username}'s stuff`, // use scripting in the config file
} as MyConfig; // typecheck the config file

Read the config file in your program. MyProgram.ts:

export interface MyConfig {
  entry?: string;
}

const config = await loadTsConfig<MyConfig>('my.config.ts', {
  cacheType: 'local',
});

tsconfig.json

You can control how the config file is compiled with a TS Config file. The options honoured are: strict and module. So you can put a tsconfig.json file beside your config file:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "strict": true, // this setting is honoured
    "module": "CommonJS", // or "NodeNext" is also supported
    "target": "ESNext" // hardcoded: but set it in your tsconfig for linting purposes
  }
}