You’re Using TypeScript Wrong (7 Patterns to Avoid)

TypeScript just became the #1 programming language on GitHub, but most developers are still making these critical mistakes that defeat the entire purpose of type safety. In this video, I break down 7 patterns that silently turn off TypeScript's ability to catch bugs. You write TypeScript, but you get JavaScript-level safety. Each pattern includes live code demos in the TypeScript Playground showing exactly what goes wrong and how to fix it. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Introduction 0:43 – Mistake #1: Using 'any' Everywhere 1:41 – Mistake #2: Type Assertions Over Guards 2:37 – Mistake #3: Ignoring Null Checks 4:21 – Mistake #4: Wrong Generic Constraints 6:05 – Mistake #5: Enum Pitfalls 7:54 – Mistake #6: Interface vs Type Confusion 9:35 – Mistake #7: Not Using Strict Mode 11:35 – Recap: Complete Checklist 📋 THE 7 PATTERNS TO AVOID 1. Using 'any' as a quick fix — defeats type checking entirely 2. Using 'as Type' instead of type guards — runtime crashes waiting to happen 3. Ignoring null/undefined — optional chaining isn't enough 4. Missing generic constraints — 'as any' hacks hide real problems 5. Numeric enums without explicit values — silent bugs at runtime 6. Interface vs Type confusion — use the right tool for the job 7. Skipping strict mode — you're only using half of TypeScript 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS TypeScript only catches bugs when you use it correctly. These 7 patterns are escape hatches that let unsafe code slip through. Stop using 'any', stop using type assertions, enable strict mode, and let the compiler do its job. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IRTWxQcj7I