Google TypeScript Style Guide

Official Google TypeScript coding standards for consistent, maintainable code.

Golden Rules

1. Use TypeScript strictly — enable strict mode in tsconfig.json
2. Prefer interfaces over type aliases for object shapes
3. Never use any — use unknown when type is truly unknown
4. Use const by default, let when reassignment needed, never var
5. Avoid non-null assertions (!) — handle nullability explicitly
6. Use explicit return types on public functions and methods
7. Prefer readonly for properties that should not change

Quick Reference

Naming Conventions

Type System

// ✓ CORRECT - interfaces for object shapes
interface User {
  id: number;
  name: string;
}

// ✓ CORRECT - type aliases for unions
type StringOrNumber = string | number;

// ✗ INCORRECT - avoid any
const data: any = fetchData();

// ✓ CORRECT - use unknown and narrow
const data: unknown = fetchData();
if (typeof data === 'string') {
  console.log(data.toUpperCase());
}

Null Handling

// ✓ CORRECT - explicit nullability
function getUser(id: number): User | undefined {
  return users.find(u => u.id === id);
}

const user = getUser(1);
if (user !== undefined) {
  console.log(user.name);
}

// ✗ INCORRECT - non-null assertion
const user = getUser(1)!;

Functions

// ✓ CORRECT - explicit return types for public API
function add(a: number, b: number): number {
  return a + b;
}

// ✓ CORRECT - arrow functions for callbacks
const double = (x: number): number => x * 2;

// ✓ CORRECT - optional parameters with defaults
function greet(name: string, greeting = 'Hello'): string {
  return `${greeting}, ${name}!`;
}

Imports

// ✓ CORRECT - named exports
export function myFunction() { /* ... */ }
export interface MyInterface { id: number; }

// ✓ CORRECT - type-only imports
import type { MyInterface } from './types';
import { myFunction } from './my-module';

// ✗ INCORRECT - wildcard imports
import * as everything from './module';

Common Mistakes

tsconfig.json Recommended Settings

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "strict": true,
    "noImplicitAny": true,
    "strictNullChecks": true,
    "noImplicitReturns": true,
    "noFallthroughCasesInSwitch": true,
    "esModuleInterop": true,
    "skipLibCheck": true
  }
}

When to Use This Guide

• Writing new TypeScript code
• Refactoring existing TypeScript
• Code reviews
• Setting up linting rules
• Onboarding new team members

Install

npx skills add testdino-hq/google-styleguides-skills/typescript

Full Guide

See typescript.md for complete details, examples, and edge cases.