TypeScript Build setting "Compile on Save" does not work in VS 2015, .js file is generated only during build

Question

EDIT

Why is this issue extremely painful? So far while I debugged/tested my Web App I've just edited the .ts in VS IDE, saved, then reloaded the page and tested the changes. Now I have to build. However build is not enabled when debug session is running in the VS IDE. So now I have to do a complete roundtrip: edit .ts -> save -> stop debugging -> build -> launch debug. Again, this is extremely painful. END EDIT

I've unchecked / saved / checked the setting in TypeScript Build tab in my project setting.

The appropriate <PropertyGroup> was generated and saved to my .csproj file.

(note without changing any TypeScript Build setting, this <PropertyGroup> is not there (when using an existing project what was previously created with VS 2013), and the build defaults are not the same as the defaults on the IDE UI so you are misleaded.)

Anyway after this change / save activity my .csproj file is in sync with the IDE UI here it is:

<PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)' == 'Debug'">
  <TypeScriptRemoveComments>True</TypeScriptRemoveComments>
  <TypeScriptTarget>ES5</TypeScriptTarget>
  <TypeScriptCompileOnSaveEnabled>True</TypeScriptCompileOnSaveEnabled>
  <TypeScriptNoImplicitAny>False</TypeScriptNoImplicitAny>
  <TypeScriptModuleKind>None</TypeScriptModuleKind>
  <TypeScriptOutFile />
  <TypeScriptOutDir />
  <TypeScriptGeneratesDeclarations>False</TypeScriptGeneratesDeclarations>
  <TypeScriptNoEmitOnError>True</TypeScriptNoEmitOnError>
  <TypeScriptSourceMap>True</TypeScriptSourceMap>
  <TypeScriptMapRoot />
  <TypeScriptSourceRoot />
</PropertyGroup>

As it shows the Compile on Save is definitely enabled. Still the .js file only generated during build and not when the .ts file was saved.

Btw: Regarding that TypeScript compile is an msbuild task in VS 2015 implementation it is interesting how could this Compile on save setting even work...

More diagnostics: Interestingly in case if I delete the whole propertygroup then it actually compiles on save. (The UI remains the same, and the .map files are not generated on the save, only on build.)

I create a single output js-file in my typescript project. If I build, it still creates a js-file for each ts-file. If I compile on save, it output to a single js-file, correctly. Strange, buggy, time-consuming, and frustrating experience. Sometimes the ts-files get out of order, if I open _references.ts and saves inside that file, it follows the reference order and the js-output is correct again. I have not been able to find the "correct" way to compile multiple ts-file to a single js-file, yet - if there is one. — user725844
– user725844, Commented Aug 6, 2015 at 11:09

bqlou · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-08 17:14:59Z

4

did you look for the "Tools" menu < options... < Typescript < project and check the "compile on save" checkbox ?

answered Nov 8, 2015 at 17:14

bqlou

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6 Comments

g.pickardou Over a year ago

I have no such option... It is just me?

Choco Over a year ago

nope, I don't have that option/category.. (@2015 Update 1)

James Hulse Over a year ago

The settings for Typescript exist under Tools -> Options -> Text Editor -> Typescript -> Project

Jim Harkins Over a year ago

This should be marked as the answer.... Tools -> Options -> Text Editor -> Typescript -> Project is the place to enable Auto compile on save

g.pickardou Over a year ago

This is still not working. Now I am battling with the very same issue with VS 2017. Now I have that auto compile option, but is say "Automatically compile.... which are not part of project". And btw does not work.

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Jaanus · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-21 14:08:42Z

3

I got it working finally by adding "compileOnSave": true to my tsconfig.json.

So you tsconfig should look like :

{
    "compilerOptions": {
         ....
    },
    "compileOnSave": true
}

answered Apr 21, 2016 at 14:08

Jaanus

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jwaddell · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-19 07:07:44Z

2

Worked for me when i moved compileOnSave to before compilerOptions in the tsconfig file.

edited Aug 19, 2016 at 7:07

jwaddell

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answered Aug 19, 2016 at 5:57

Rasmus

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1 Comment

Tobias Punke Over a year ago

Indeed, this was my problem. I had compileOnSave below the options and wondered why it did not work. Thanks.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:45:39Z

I had same problem, so I:

followed citykid's advise,
created .js.map file by myself,
tried your guide - it started to work, however I
- compared PropertyGroup section which was slightly different, thus I tested your's config and
re-enabled debuggers from citykid's advise

... And it still works like charm.

It could be irrelevant but I have:

Visual Studio Pro 14.0.23107.0
Microsoft ASP.NET and Web Tools 14.0.60814.0
TypeScript for MS VS 1.6.3.0 (!)
Web Essentials 0.5.197 installed
Web Compiler 1.8.270 installed
Bundler & Minifier not installed
ReSharper 9.2 (?)

To test it, I recommend to:

open .js.map,
modify .ts by adding function - .js.map reloads,
debug in IE,
modify .ts by adding function - .js.map reloads,
reload page and it should reflect changes in both debugger and browser.

Akshay Chugh · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-09 11:14:33Z

1

For Visual Studio 2019:

Step 1 Tools > Options :

Step 2 In your tsconfig.json:

{
  "compileOnSave": true,    <---- insert before compilerOptions
  "compilerOptions": {
    "noImplicitAny": true,
    "noEmitOnError": true,
    "removeComments": false,
    "sourceMap": true,
    "target": "ESNext",
    "outDir": "./wwwroot/js"
  },
  "exclude": [
    "node_modules",
    "wwwroot"
  ]
}

answered Jun 9, 2021 at 11:14

Akshay Chugh

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