tsconfig.json: Build:No inputs were found in config file

🚀 "No inputs were found in config file" Error in tsconfig.json: Easy Solutions and Troubleshooting Guide

Are you facing the dreaded "No inputs were found in config file" error when trying to build your ASP.NET core project? Don't worry, you're not alone! This error often occurs due to misconfigurations or conflicts in your tsconfig.json file. In this blog post, we will dive into common issues that cause this error and provide easy-to-follow solutions to get you back on track. 😃

📝 Understanding the Error Message

Let's break down the error message you encountered:

error TS18003: Build:No inputs were found in config file 'Z:/Projects/client/ZV/src/ZV/Scripts/tsconfig.json'. Specified 'include' paths were '["**/*"]' and 'exclude' paths were '["../wwwroot/app","node_modules/*"]'.

This error message indicates that TypeScript (tsc) is unable to find any input files specified in your tsconfig.json file.

🚩 Possible Causes

1. Missing or Incorrect File Paths: The include or exclude paths in your tsconfig.json may not be correctly configured or pointing to the correct directories.

2. Conflicting exclude Paths: The exclude paths may be conflicting with the include paths, causing TypeScript to exclude all files.

3. Invalid File Extensions: You might have specified an invalid file extension in your include or exclude paths.

🔍 Troubleshooting Steps

Now that we have a better understanding of the error, let's dive into some troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

1. Check tsconfig.json File Paths

Ensure that the file paths specified in the tsconfig.json file's include and exclude properties are correct and accurately reflect the project's structure. Incorrect paths can prevent TypeScript from finding your input files.

2. Verify include Paths

Review the include paths in your tsconfig.json file. Make sure they correctly point to the directories containing your TypeScript files.

For example, consider modifying your include paths to be more specific, such as:

"include": [
  "src/**/*.ts"
]

This tells TypeScript to include any .ts files within the src directory and its subdirectories.

3. Remove Conflicting exclude Paths

If you have conflicting exclude paths, TypeScript may exclude all files, resulting in the "No inputs were found" error. Double-check your exclude paths and remove any that conflict with your include paths.

4. Validate File Extensions

Ensure that the file extensions specified in your include and exclude paths match the file extensions in your project. For example, if you have .tsx files in your project, make sure they are included in the include property.

5. Update TypeScript Compiler (if necessary)

If you recently upgraded Visual Studio or TypeScript, it's possible that the TypeScript compiler version being used is outdated. Upgrade the TypeScript compiler version using the following command in the project's root directory:

npm update typescript

This command will update the TypeScript compiler to the latest version available.

🤝 Engage with the Community

If you're still encountering issues or have questions about the "No inputs were found in config file" error, feel free to reach out to the community for assistance. Popular forums and Q&A websites like Stack Overflow and GitHub Discussions can be great places to seek help from experienced developers.

Contribute to the community by sharing your experiences and solutions to help others facing similar challenges. Together, we can overcome any coding obstacles! 🌟

👉 We hope this troubleshooting guide helped you resolve the "No inputs were found in config file" error in your tsconfig.json file. Remember, paying attention to file paths, extensions, and configurations is key to a successful TypeScript build. Happy coding! 💻💪

Is there something we missed? Have any additional tips? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's learn together. 🌟✨⌨️