TypeScript Tricks I Wish I Knew Earlier
Discriminated unions, template literals, satisfies operator, and more. Level up your TS game.
TypeScript is more powerful than most developers realize. Here are patterns that leveled up my code.
Discriminated Unions
Perfect for state machines and API responses. The compiler narrows types automatically.
Template Literal Types
Generate string types dynamically. Great for event names, CSS classes, and route patterns.
The satisfies Operator
Validate types without widening. You get autocomplete AND type safety.
Const Assertions
Use as const to preserve literal types in arrays and objects. Essential for configuration objects.
Tips
- Use
unknownoverany— it forces you to narrow - Leverage utility types: Pick, Omit, Partial, Required
- Enable strict mode from day one — it catches bugs early
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