ESLint "Parsing error: Cannot read file 'tsconfig.json'"

By Kaveh Alemi·Latchkey

Type-aware ESLint (typescript-eslint) needs a tsconfig named by parserOptions.project. When that path does not resolve from where ESLint runs, the parser cannot read it and every file errors.

What this error means

ESLint fails on each file with Parsing error: Cannot read file '<tsconfig path>'. It is consistent and tied to the working directory or a wrong project path, common when CI runs ESLint from a different cwd than developers do.

eslint output

/app/src/index.ts
  0:0  error  Parsing error: Cannot read file '/app/tsconfig.json'

# or with a glob:
Parsing error: Cannot read file '/app/packages/web/tsconfig.eslint.json'

Common causes

parserOptions.project path is wrong

The project value is relative to tsconfigRootDir (or the config file). A wrong path, or running ESLint from a different cwd, makes the tsconfig unreadable.

tsconfig missing from the checkout

In a monorepo or partial checkout, the referenced tsconfig may not be present, so the parser cannot read it.

How to fix it

Anchor the project path with tsconfigRootDir

Set tsconfigRootDir so project resolves regardless of cwd.

eslint.config.js

// flat config (eslint.config.js)
languageOptions: {
  parserOptions: {
    project: ['./tsconfig.json'],
    tsconfigRootDir: import.meta.dirname,
  },
}

Ensure the tsconfig is present and correct

Confirm the tsconfig path exists from the repo root in CI.
Run ESLint from the repo root, matching the path in project.
In monorepos, point project at each package's tsconfig or use a dedicated tsconfig.eslint.json.

How to prevent it

Set tsconfigRootDir so project is cwd-independent.
Run ESLint from a consistent directory in CI.
Keep referenced tsconfigs in the checkout (not gitignored).

Frequently asked questions

What causes ""Parsing error: Cannot read tsconfig""?

The project value is relative to tsconfigRootDir (or the config file). A wrong path, or running ESLint from a different cwd, makes the tsconfig unreadable.

How do I fix "Parsing error: Cannot read tsconfig"?

Set tsconfigRootDir so project resolves regardless of cwd.