TSD

TypeScript Definition manager for DefinitelyTyped

TSD is a package manager to search and install TypeScript definition files directly from the community driven DefinitelyTyped repository.

DEPRECATED: TSD is deprecated, please use Typings and see this issue for more information.

Install

Install global using node using npm.:

npm install tsd -g

For previews and history check the release tags.

Commands

Quick start

$ tsd install jquery --save

$ tsd query angular -ir
$ tsd query angularjs/

$ tsd query jquery.*
# glob on mac/linux
$ tsd query "jquery.*"

#install all definitions from tsd.json
$ tsd install

Commands

Global tsd binary with help.

$ tsd
$ tsd -h
$ tsd --help
$ tsd --version

Sometimes it looks like this:

• $ tsd --help
• $ tsd query async --info --history --action install
• $ tsd query angular* --resolve

Init

Create a new tsd.json and tsd.d.ts. This is not required but useful to init valid project references before starting to add (external) code, or if you want to edit the config.

$ tsd init

Search

Minimal query for d3:

$ tsd query d3

Get some info about jquery:

$ tsd query jquery --info --resolve
$ tsd query jquery -i -r
$ tsd query jquery -ir

Search for jquery plugins:

$ tsd query */jquery.*

Hint: if you are using Linux or Mac OS X, use quotes to glob:

$ tsd query "*/jquery.*"

View mocha history:

$ tsd query mocha --history
$ tsd query mocha -y

List everything:

$ tsd query *

Note: more info on queries can be found futher-on in this readme.

Open a browser

Browse pixi definition on github:

$ tsd query pixi --action browse
$ tsd query pixi -a browse

Visit gruntjs homepage:

$ tsd query gruntjs --action visit
$ tsd query gruntjs -a visit

Install to project

Install mocha:

$ tsd install mocha

Install mocha and save to tsd.json:

$ tsd install mocha --save
$ tsd install mocha -s

Same as query action:

$ tsd query mocha --save --action install
$ tsd query mocha -sa install

Resolve the reference to jquery, overwrite existing files and save to tsd.json:

$ tsd install angular --resolve --overwrite --save
$ tsd install angular -r -o -s
$ tsd install angular -ros

Same as query action:

$ tsd query angular --resolve --overwrite --save --action install

Install mocha, chai and sinon definitions all at once, with resolve references, overwrite existing files and save to tsd.json:

$ tsd install mocha chai sinon -ros

Install all definitions from tsd.json:

$ tsd install

NOTE: tsd install will work like tsd reinstall --save --overwrite

Reinstall definitions

Reset the definitions to the commits listed in tsd.json:

$ tsd reinstall --save --overwrite
$ tsd reinstall -s -o
$ tsd reinstall -so

Update all definitions

Update everything in tsd.json to head version in the repository:

$ tsd update --save --overwrite
$ tsd update -s -o
$ tsd update -so

Link to bundled definitions

TSD supports discovery and linking of definitions from packages installed with node or bower.

Use the link command and your tsd.d.ts will be updated with paths to the files in the node_modules or bower_modules folders.

$ tsd link

This feature will scan package.json and bower.json files for a typescript element. This element then contains definition or definitions sub-element that contain relative path(s) to .d.ts files:

{
	"name": "cool-module",
	"version": "1.2.3",
	"typescript": {
		"definition": "dist/cool-module.d.ts"
	}
}

If the module exports multiple independent files,eg: for some reason not internally <reference>'d:

{
	"name": "cool-module",
	"version": "1.2.3",
	"typescript": {
		"definitions": [
			"dist/cool-partA.d.ts",
			"dist/cool-partB.d.ts"
		]
	}
}

Rebundle definition file

Cleanup the bundle file (usually tsd.d.ts): remove paths to non-existent files, and append unlisted definitions. Handy when editing definitions.

$ tsd rebundle

Rate-limit

Print current Github rate-limit info

$ tsd rate

Clear http cache

Forcefully remove global http cache files

$ tsd purge

Detailed queries

There are various ways to select files from the repository index.

Module name

TSD uses a (globbing) path + filename selector to query the DefinitelyTyped index. The results can then be modified using various filters:

Note how the definition filename takes priority:

$ tsd query module
$ tsd query project/module

For example, consider these definitions:

project/module.d.ts
project/module-0.1.2.d.ts
project/module-addon.d.ts

project-plugin/plugin.d.ts

other/module.d.ts
other/plugin.d.ts

Notice the pattern, and ignore the .d.ts extension:

<project>/<module><semver>.d.ts

Select definitions using only the module name:

$ tsd query module
$ tsd query module-addon

Or use a selector derived from the path format:

$ tsd query project/module
$ tsd query other/module

Or simply get everything in a project:

$ tsd query project/

Globbing filter

The selector also supports globbing, for example:

$ tsd query project/*
$ tsd query project*
$ tsd query module*
$ tsd query project/module*
$ tsd query project-*/plugin*
$ tsd query *project*/*
$ tsd query project/plugin*
$ tsd query other/module
$ tsd query */module
$ tsd query */module-*
$ tsd query */*plugin

Hint: if you are using Linux or Mac OS X, use quotes to glob:

$ tsd query "*/jquery.*"

Semver filter

Note: the semver postfix of definition files is expected to be separated by a dash and possibly a 'v'

module-0.1.2
module-v0.1.2
module-v0.1.2-alpha

If there are multiple matches with same module name they will be prioritised:

1. The unversioned name is considered being most recent.
2. Then versions are compared as expected following these comparison rules.
3. Use the --version / -v option to set a semver-range:

$ tsd query node -v latest
$ tsd query node -v all
$ tsd query node -v ">=0.8 <0.10"
$ tsd query node -v "<0.10"

Date filter

Use the --date / -d option to set a date-range (find dates using --history / -y):

$ tsd query d3 --history
$ tsd query d3 --date ">=2012-01-01"

$ tsd query d3 -y
$ tsd query d3 -d "<2012-01-01"

Commit filter

Use the --commit / -c option to supply sha1-hash of a commit (find a commit hash using --history), for convenience a shortened sha1 hash is supported.

$ tsd query youtube --history
$ tsd query youtube --commit d6ff

$ tsd query youtube -y
$ tsd query youtube -c d6ff

Notes:

1. For now this only works with commits that actually changed the definition file you selected (eg, listed in --history) This will be expanded to allow selecting from any commit at a later date.

Special files

tsd.json

The tsd.json file is automatically created in the root of each project: it configures TSD and it tracks the definitions that are installed (using --save).

To generate a default tsd.json run:

$ tsd init

An example configuration the 'node.js' definition installed would look like this:

{
	"version": "v4",
	"repo": "DefinitelyTyped/DefinitelyTyped",
	"ref": "master",
	"path": "typings",
	"bundle": "typings/tsd.d.ts",
	"installed": {
		"node/node.d.ts": {
			"commit": "6834f97fb33561a3ad40695084da2b660efaee29"
		}
    }
}

Supported fields:

field	required	default	description
version	yes	v4	Tracks config version for future changes (don't change this).
repo	yes	DefinitelyTyped/DefinitelyTyped	Github user and repo name of the typings repository. Change this if you want to use TSD from a DefinitelyTyped fork.
ref	yes	master	Branch name or other git reference of the repository. Change this to use legacy branches.
path	yes	typings	Path to the typings directory, the definitions will be installed in the appropriate sub-folders. Change this to have typings in your main code directory, but this is not recommended as the mixed styles used in the definitions it will confuse your inspections and lint-tools.
bundle	no	typings/tsd.d.ts	Path to a .d.ts bundle file (see below). Change this if you want the bundle to be closer to the actual source files. TSD will create the appropriate relative paths.
stats	no	(not set)	Set to false to disable the stats tracking. Keep in mind the stats are anonymous, help us improve TSD & DT and motivate us to spend our time on development. See below for the 'Privacy statement'.

--

tsd.d.ts

The tsd.d.ts file refers every definition that is installed with --save for convenient and explicit single reference from code.

/// <reference path="../typings/tsd.d.ts" />

By default it is created in the typings folder but the name and location are configurable in tsd.json. When adding new references TSD will check the existing references and respects re-ordering (ordering is important for inter-dependent definitions).

--

.tsdrc

This is a optional JSON encoded file to define global settings. TSD looks for it in the user's home director (eg: %USERPROFILE% on Windows, $HOME / ~ on Linux), and in the current working directory.

• "proxy" - Use a http proxy

Any standard http-proxy as supported by the request package.

{
	"proxy": "http://proxy.example.com:88"
}

• "strictSSL" - Toggle strictSSL verification:

Enabled by default, setting this option to false disables strict SSL. Passed to request package.

Useful behind (corporate) proxies that act like man-in-the middle on https connections.

{
	"strictSSL": false
}

• "token" - Github OAuth token:

The OAuth token can be used to boost the Github API rate-limit from 60 to 5000 (non-cached) requests per hour. This token just needs 'read-only access to public information' so no additional OAuth scopes are necessary.

{
	"token": "0beec7b5ea3f0fdbc95d0dd47f3c5bc275da8a33"
}

You can also set the token using the TSD_GITHUB_TOKEN environment variable.

You can create this token on Github.com:

1. Go to https://github.com/settings/tokens/new
2. Deselect all scopes to create a token with just basic authentication.
   1. (verify you really deselected all scopes)
   2. (wonder why these presets were set??)
3. Enter a identifying name, something like "TSD Turbo 5000"
4. Create the token.
5. Copy the hex-string to the token element in the .tsdrc file.
6. Verify enhanced rate-limit using $ tsd rate

Change or revoke the token at any time on https://github.com/settings/applications

Note: keep in mind the .tsdrc file is not secured. Don't use a token with additional scope unless you know what you are doing.

The bare 'no scope' token is relatively harmless as it gives 'read-only access to public information', same as any non-authenticated access. But it does identify any requests done with it as being yours, so it is still your responsibility to keep the token private.

Usage as module

TSD can be used as a JavaScript npm dependency:

var tsd = require('tsd');
var api = new tsd.API(new tsd.Context('path/to/tsd-config.json'));
api.search(new tsd.Selector('jquery/*')).then(function(res) {
	// yes
	util.inspect(res);

}, function(err) {
	// no
});

For a practical example see grunt-tsd.

TSD uses Promise/A+ by bluebird. 👈👍

API export is somewhat experimental; take care to lock versions and test on upgrade. If you plan to use TSD as module in a tool or project then feel free to leave a message and coordinate stuff.

API docs

Not yet.

Notes

• It is recommended you check-in the definitions you install into your VCS.
• Don't forget to move your fixes back to DefinitelyTyped

Github rate-limit

The Github API has a 60-requests-per-hour rate-limit for non-authenticated use. You'll likely never hit this as TSD uses local caching and the definition files are downloaded from Github RAW urls. If you need some more then a scope-limited Github OAuth token can be used to boost the limit to 5000.

Usage stats & update-notifier

The CLI tool tracks some anonymous usage statistics about what definitions are installed though TSD in Google Analytics (using universal-analytics). There is also a update-notifier service to check for TSD updates.

FAQ & Info

Is there a build task available?

Of course! The official plugin is grunt-tsd, and the community created gulp-tsd.

I hit the Github rate-limit, now what?

If TSD is used in a way that needs many unique API calls in a short period (like using --history on big selections), or shares an internet-connection with multiple users (like in an office) then the rate limit blocks the API. It blocks for 60 minutes after the first request of the total 60.

For these cases TSD has an option to use a Github OAuth token and raise your local rate-limit from 60 to 5000 per hour. See the .tsdrc-section elsewhere in the readme.

Does TSD work behind a (corporate) http proxy?

As of v0.5.7 there are two ways to configure the location of the proxy server:

1. Use a environment variable. TSD support the conventional fields: pick one of HTTPS_PROXY, https_proxy, HTTP_PROXY or http_proxy.
2. Use a global .tsdrc file and set a proxy value (see the tsdrc-section elsewhere in the readme).

What if my proxy terminates SSL?

As of v0.6.0 strict SSL verification can be disabled in .tsdrc via strictSSL variable (see tsdrc-section).

Can TSD auto-install definitions for a specific package version?

Yes, and no (and later yes again)

There is basic support for parsing semver-postfixes from the definition file names, and you can filter on this using semver ranges with the --version option: Try it with the 'node' definitions.

It works well but is not used much in the current DefinitelyTyped repository. The DefinitelyTyped group is working on a meta-data source that will solve this (the Nuget exporter is waiting for this too).

What is the location of the cache folders?

The cache is stored in the users home directory (like $ npm). Use $ tsd settings to view the current paths. Use the --cacheDir to override the cache directory, or --cacheMode to modify caching behaviour.

I have a suggestion or contribution

Feel free to leave a ticket. Questions and contributions for the definition files go here.

History

v0.6.x ( > 2014-10)

• Long delayed release of major overhaul: migrated code to external module style and reworked many features, subsystems and dependencies. Development in dev/next branch.

• Interesting changes

  • added install command to CLI
  • improved module-name pattern matching
  • refreshed CLI interface, formatting, help
  • reworked http download/cache
  • switched many modules, added definition-header
  • replaced ugly node-gyp sub-dependency

v0.5.x ( > 2013-08)

• Current release versions. See the release tags fore more details.

• Full rewrite by @Bartvds: drops the separated TSD data registry in favour of using the Github API to pull definitions directly from DefinitelyTyped.

v0.3.x

• Original version by @Diullei.

To install v0.3.x (old readme here):

$ npm install tsd@0.3.0 -g

Build

TSD is compiled with TypeScript v1.1.0-1 and managed using Grunt.

To rebuild clone the repos:

Install dependencies:

$ npm install

Build, lint and test:

$ grunt test

Only rebuild:

$ grunt build

Run in dev folder:

$ node ./build/cli.js query d3 --dev

Install dev folder to global cli:

$ npm install . -g

TSD uses gruntfile-gtx to test separate test suites sets during development:

List aliases:

$ grunt -h

Example: run only api tests:

$ grunt gtx:api
$ grunt gtx:cli
$ grunt gtx:tsd

It is recommend you use an intelligent parsing IDE (WebStorm or VisualStudio) and a big screen (or two) on a properly powerful workstation.

Code looks best with tabs rendered at 4 spaces (3 is nice too, or 6 or 8.. I don't really care, because smart-tabs are awesome like that). The gruntfile uses slightly harsh JSHint and TSLint settings to enforce code style, but there is an .editorconfig to elevate some of the pain.

Master branch is the release version, new development happens currently in dev/next branch: probably broken and regularly rebased for near future.

Contribute

Contributions are very welcome; please discuss larger changes in a ticket first. Fixes and simple enhancements are always much appreciated. Please make sure you work in the right branch.

Note: Contributions on the definition files go directly to DefinitelyTyped.

Privacy

The TSD CLI tool collects definition usage information, like the queries made to the repo and the definitions that get installed. The information collected amounts to about same level of detail as services like npm or github would collect (maybe even less as we don't track a user id).

The API does not track anything.

To store this TSD uses Google Analytics in the excellent universal-analytics package. We might at some point publish some anonymised aggregate stats to the DefinitelyTyped website.

Changes to the policy should be announced in release notes, and ideally ask confirmation on the first CLI use.

Keep in mind we're just devs like you and are working on this in our spare time; we run this project out of love and duty and most of all for fun as learning experience. The stats give us helpful insights into the usage of TSD, and of course the growing numbers and graphs motivate us to spend our time on further development.

Security

Please close read the relevant sections of the readme, especially on OAuth 'scope'.

The optional Github OAuth token is only used to authenticate with the Github API. The token is not stored anywhere but the local machine. It is your responsibility to keep your token safe.

Using an OAuth token with additional scope is neither advised nor supported, even though it could make TSD work with private repositories. But it might also leak repo or content names to analytics or leave a bare http cache in your temp dir. If this bothers you please review the license and/or leave a message.

License

Copyright (c) 2014 by Bart van der Schoor @ DefinitelyTyped

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.

• note: there is some imported MIT licensed code by myself, Bart van der Schoor

Copyright (c) 2012 by Diullei Gomes.

Licensed under the MIT License.