TS5083: Cannot read file tsconfig.json - in CI

By Daniel Zoghalchali·Latchkey

tsc could not read a tsconfig at the path it was given, either the main config or one named in extends.

What this error means

tsc fails with TS5083 naming the config path it cannot read, frequently a base config referenced by extends.

error TS5083: Cannot read file '/app/tsconfig.base.json'.

Common causes

How to fix it

Fix the config path or extends

1. Correct the path passed to tsc -p, or the extends target

{
  "extends": "./tsconfig.base.json"
}

Install a shared base config package

1. If extends references a package (e.g. @tsconfig/node20), install it

npm i -D @tsconfig/node20

How to prevent it

• Keep extends targets present (committed or installed) and run tsc from the directory the paths assume.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• Node.js documentation
• npm CLI documentation
• GitHub Actions documentation