TypeScript 6.0 is essentially a bridge release. It’s a transitional phase that introduces new defaults and marks certain features as deprecated. This isn't a signal to rush straight to version 7; it’s a preparation period meant to let teams adopt new standards without suddenly breaking their CI pipelines.
The biggest headache during a version update is when teams try to mix a migration with a massive cleanup of their type debt. Trying to refactor your entire codebase while simultaneously updating the version just makes the triage process a mess.
If you're leading a migration, focus on three concrete steps. First, check your
compilerOptions across all packages to make sure nothing was just copy-pasted.
Second, make a list of the deprecated flags. Third, ensure the TypeScript
version on every developer's local machine matches what’s running in your CI
environment to avoid weird build discrepancies.
When it comes to new strict rules, be selective. Adopt new rules if they actually align with why you're using TypeScript in the first place. But if a change is purely cosmetic or only affects module emission, hold off unless it’s a high priority. Don't force the removal of flags that might break legacy packages before the team is actually ready.
One trap to avoid is loosening your strict rules just to get that "green"
status during the update. That’s a bad move—you’re just trading short-term
effort for low return in terms of long-term code quality.
Use TypeScript 6.0 to audit your system, not as an excuse for a "big-bang rewrite" of your modules or path aliases.
Happy preparing.