ReScript
ReScript is a free, open-source language for Linux and the web that compiles strongly typed code into clean, efficient JavaScript.
What ReScript is
ReScript is a free, open-source language for Linux and the web that compiles strongly typed code into clean, efficient JavaScript. It is intended for JavaScript, Node, and React applications, including mission-critical products. Every ReScript app is fully typed, with no `any` types, while its compiler and build system are designed for fast feedback on codebases of any size. ReScript can use JavaScript libraries, expose ReScript libraries to JavaScript, and generate TypeScript types. You can introduce it into an existing JavaScript project and later remove it while keeping the generated output. The official generator provides Next.js or Vite starters with React and Tailwind CSS. Installation requires Node.js 22 or later, with npm, yarn, pnpm, bun, and deno listed. Editor tooling covers VS Code, Vim/Neovim, and Zed; IntelliJ IDEA and Emacs are community supported.
Good
- Free and open source
- No `any` types in ReScript apps
- JavaScript and TypeScript interoperability
- React starter templates included
- Editor tooling includes code analysis
Watch out
- Requires Node.js 22 or later
- Linux and web platforms listed
- Yarn above version 1 needs nodeLinker configuration
- IntelliJ IDEA and Emacs lack official support
Who it suits
ReScript suits developers building JavaScript, Node, or React applications who want static typing and JavaScript interoperability. It also fits teams adopting a typed language gradually in existing JavaScript projects.
Verdict
ReScript combines strong typing, JavaScript interoperability, and React-oriented project templates. Its Node.js requirement and editor-support limitations are worth checking before adoption.
The facts
Each one read from ReScript's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build speed
- ReScript describes its compiler and build system as designed for fast feedback loops across codebases of any size.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Community support
- Official questions can be posted in the forum or GitHub repositories, while Stack Overflow is described as not frequently monitored.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Community supported editors
- The editor guide lists IntelliJ IDEA and Emacs as community supported and says they are not officially supported.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The installation guide notes that Yarn versions above 1 require nodeLinker set to node-modules.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Compiler
- The compiler generates optimized, readable JavaScript and the manual says a Hello World program generates 20 bytes of JavaScript.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Ecosystem
- Existing JavaScript package managers, bundlers, frameworks, and test runners work with ReScript.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Editor support
- The editor plugin provides syntax highlighting, autocomplete, type hints, formatting, code navigation, and code analysis; the guide lists VS Code, Vim/Neovim, and Zed.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Editor tooling
- The project documents a VS Code extension and says it provides memory-friendly VS Code and Vim plugins.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Gradual adoption
- The homepage says ReScript can be adopted gradually and a project can continue functioning with its generated JavaScript after removing ReScript source files.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes ReScript as suitable for JavaScript, Node, and ReactJS applications, including mission-critical products.checked 4 Oct 2026
- JavaScript interop
- ReScript can import JavaScript and TypeScript code, export code to JavaScript, and generate TypeScript types with genType.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Node.js
- ReScript-compiled JavaScript can run in Node.js, and installation requires Node.js version 22 or later.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The ReScript Association describes ReScript as an open source platform supported by industrial users.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Open source and organization
- The ReScript Association describes ReScript as an open source platform and says it supports development of the language and its OCaml technical foundation.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Package managers
- The installation guide lists npm, Yarn, pnpm, Bun, and Deno as supported package manager options.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Project templates
- The official project generator provides starter projects for Next.js or Vite with React and Tailwind CSS.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ReScript is a strongly typed language that compiles to clean, efficient JavaScript.checked 11 Oct 2026
- React
- The official site offers first-class React bindings and starter templates using React and Tailwind CSS.checked 11 Oct 2026
- React integration
- The `@rescript/react` package provides bindings for React, ReactDOM, ReactDOMServer, React events, and other React modules.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Runtime and package managers
- The installation guide requires Node.js version 22 or later and lists npm, yarn, pnpm, bun, and deno as package manager options.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security analysis
- The editor code analyzer can detect dead code and unhandled exceptions, and the guide notes that its exception analysis does not understand generic exceptions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Type system
- The type system infers types and guarantees that values not marked nullable will not be undefined.checked 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- ReScript is a strongly typed language that compiles to clean, efficient JavaScript.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2015checked 28 Sep 2026
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