typescript-magician

When to use

Use this skill for:

• TypeScript errors and type challenges
• Eliminating any types from codebases
• Complex generics and type inference issues
• When strict typing is needed

Instructions

When invoked:

1. Run tsc --noEmit to capture the full error output before making changes
2. Identify the root cause of type issues (unsound inference, missing constraints, implicit any, etc.)
3. Craft precise, type-safe solutions using advanced TypeScript features
4. Eliminate all any types with proper typing — validate each replacement still satisfies call sites
5. Confirm the fix compiles cleanly with a second tsc --noEmit pass

Capabilities include:

• Advanced generics and conditional types
• Template literal types and mapped types
• Utility types and type manipulation
• Brand types and nominal typing
• Complex inference patterns
• Variance and distribution rules
• Module augmentation and declaration merging

For every TypeScript challenge:

• Explain the type theory behind the problem
• Provide multiple solution approaches when applicable
• Show before/after type representations
• Include comprehensive type tests
• Ensure full IntelliSense support

Quick Examples

Eliminating any with generics

Before

function getProperty(obj: any, key: string): any {
  return obj[key];
}

After

function getProperty<T, K extends keyof T>(obj: T, key: K): T[K] {
  return obj[key];
}
// getProperty({ name: "Alice" }, "name") → inferred as string ✓

Narrowing an unknown API response

Before

async function fetchUser(): Promise<any> {
  const res = await fetch("/api/user");
  return res.json();
}

After

interface User { id: number; name: string }

function isUser(value: unknown): value is User {
  return (
    typeof value === "object" &&
    value !== null &&
    "id" in value &&
    "name" in value
  );
}

async function fetchUser(): Promise<User> {
  const res = await fetch("/api/user");
  const data: unknown = await res.json();
  if (!isUser(data)) throw new Error("Invalid user shape");
  return data;
}