Trying to execute "npx typescript --init" "npm ERR! could not determine executable to run"

Question

What does the error npm ERR! could not determine executable to run mean?

I'm trying to initialise a simple nodejs app with typescript and yarn. I've never really used yarn before.

I've ran the commands: yarn init Which successfully creates a package.json npx typescript --init Gives me the above error message.

Versions: yarn v1.22.11 npx 7.12.0

I've ran yarn add typescript and it gives me:

info Direct dependencies
└─ [email protected]
info All dependencies
└─ [email protected]

But when I try typescript -v I get typescript: command not found

Answer 1

The fix was to use the command npx tsc --init.

I don't know why the tutorial I was following used npx typescript --init, but it worked for them and not for me.

Answer 2

Expanding on JimmyTheCode's answer, it works because tsc is a dummy package that only installs typescript.

The correct way to solve this without installing yet another package is by using the -p|--package option on npx. This flag is useful when calling a specific binary from a package.

npx --package typescript tsc --init
# OR
npx -p typescript tsc --init

You can find out more on npx's documentation.