// the find
mattpocock/ts-error-translator
VSCode extension to turn TypeScript errors into plain English
A VSCode extension that intercepts TypeScript compiler errors and replaces them with plain-English explanations, plus inline syntax hints for confusing TS constructs like mapped types and generics. It's from Matt Pocock of Total TypeScript, so the explanations are genuinely good rather than auto-generated. Aimed squarely at people learning TypeScript or anyone who's tired of deciphering error 2345.
The error translation engine is a separate package with its own tests, so the logic is portable and could be embedded in other tooling. The error files are plain Markdown, making it easy to audit or contribute translations for specific codes. The syntax tip system is AST-based rather than regex, which means hints fire on actual code structure, not string patterns. Template variable substitution in error messages means you get 'Type string is not assignable to number' rendered as a human sentence with the actual types filled in.
Coverage is thin — roughly 70 error codes out of the hundreds TypeScript actually emits, so you'll still hit the raw compiler message regularly. Last push was August 2024, the repo has stalled, and there's no sign of active maintenance for TypeScript 5.x error additions. The extension bundles pre-processed errors into a JSON file at build time, so adding new translations requires a full extension release rather than a data update. No JetBrains or Neovim LSP support — it's VSCode-only with no abstraction layer that would make porting straightforward.