Unlocking the Power of React 18 with TypeScript
The wait is finally over! React 18 alpha has arrived, bringing with it a plethora of exciting new features. But can we harness its power alongside TypeScript? The answer is a resounding “yes,” but it requires a few tweaks to get everything up and running smoothly.
Creating a React App with TypeScript
Let’s start by creating a brand-new React app using Create React App, with TypeScript as our trusty sidekick. We’ll then upgrade the React version to @next, which will leave us with package.json entries that utilize React 18.
Unleashing the New APIs
Now that we’ve got our React 18 app up and running, it’s time to tap into its new features. We’ll focus on the ReactDOM.createRoot API, which is the key to unlocking React 18’s full potential. However, when we try to use this API, TypeScript throws an error, complaining that it doesn’t recognize ReactDOM.createRoot.
The TypeScript Conundrum
The issue lies in our type definitions, which don’t yet include the new API. To resolve this, we need to upgrade our type definitions. But even after doing so, TypeScript still refuses to cooperate, throwing the same error.
A Glimmer of Hope
Fortunately, the PR that added support for the new APIs provides some valuable insights. By adding a new entry to our tsconfig.json file, we can finally get TypeScript to recognize the ReactDOM.createRoot API.
The Final Hurdle
With our type definitions in place, we’re now faced with a different error: TypeScript is complaining about the possibility of document.getElementById('root') returning null. To overcome this, we simply need to ensure that root is not null before invoking ReactDOM.createRoot.
Victory at Last!
And with that, we’ve successfully created a React 18 application using TypeScript! It’s time to revel in the excitement of this new development.
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