State of TypeScript Linting 2025 | Joshua Goldberg | Ep 29B

Joshua Goldberg (JoshuaKGoldberg.com), creator of typescript-eslint, joins us to discuss the state of linting TypeScript projects in 2025. Which linters should we pay attention to? Why are there so many? What's unique about TypeScript? Josh shares his perspective and covers what to look for in a linter and how best to utilize them in your projects.

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introducing Josh Goldberg
• (02:10) - Why Are There So Many Linters?
• (02:48) - Why Do I Need a Linter With TypeScript, Anyway?
• (04:13) - Landscape of Linters in 2025
• (06:56) - How Does TypeScript Linting Actually Work?
• (08:15) - Creating Type-aware Native Speed Linters
• (11:06) - What Would the Ideal Linter Look Like?
• (12:48) - Where is the Bottleneck in Type-aware Linting?
• (15:15) - Are Native Speed Linters the Answer?
• (21:03) - Okay, So Which Linter Should I Use?
• (23:33) - Are There Some Golden Type-aware Rules to Use?
• (24:44) - Customizing Your Linting Setup
• (27:05) - Writing Your Own Custom Lint Rules
• (31:08) - Josh's Recommended ESLint Plugins
• (34:15) - Future of Linting with Flint
• (36:37) - Attend SquiggleConf 2025 in Boston

Linters

• typescript-eslint (stable) – TypeScript, most type-aware lint rules
• oxlint (stable) – Rust, no type-aware lint rules
• Biome (stable) – Rust, limited type-aware lint rules in V2
• tsslint (stable) – TypeScript, integrates with tsserver, custom rules with TS compiler API
• tsl (new) – tsc plugin that ports a selection of typescript-eslint type-aware lint rules
• Deno lint (stable) – Rust, subset of ESLint rules, no type-aware lint rules
• Flint (unstable) – TypeScript, Josh’s fast, friendly linter, still in development
• tsgolint (prototype) – Go, proof-of-concept experimental TypeScript Native integration

Resources

• Learn: Vanilla TypeScript Experience
• Learn: ASTs and typescript-eslint
• Learn: If I Wrote a Linter, Part 4: Summary
• Learn: TypedRocks Builds a Type-aware ESLint Plugin
• DustinSpecker/awesome-eslint – a list of awesome ESLint plugins and resources
• JoshuaKGoldberg/create-typescript-app – pick and choose the rules you like
• ESLint now supports linting for Markdown and CSS
• Josh’s Favorite Rules and Plugins:
  • typescript-eslint/no-floating-promises – to avoid non-awaited Promises
  • typescript-eslint/no-deprecated – to avoid calling deprecated APIs
  • eslint-plugin-regex – to catch ReDOS vulnerabilities
  • eslint-plugin-n – for Node.js projects
  • eslint-plugin-jsdoc – for the “informative docs” rule
  • eslint-plugin-erasable-syntax-only – to enforce erasable syntax in your TS project (prior to TS 5.8)
  • eslint-plugin-package-json – lint your package.json file

Where to Find Josh

• JoshuaKGoldberg.com
• Flint Discord
• Josh on BlueSky
• Josh on Fosstodon
• Josh on GitHub

Sponsored by Excalibur.js
Excalibur.js is the friendly TypeScript game engine for making 2D web games. Use your TypeScript or JavaScript skills to make games! Excalibur comes out-of-the-box with everything you need to make web games, like physics, sprites, animations, sound effects, input, and particles. Design your assets with tools like Aseprite and Tiled, then load them natively using first-party plugins.

Music
Seahorse Dreams by Kubbi (Spotify)