TypeRB alpha

Getting started

TypeRB is an alpha, statically typed programming language that compiles the same portable source to Go, Ruby, and TypeScript.

Try in the browser

Use A Tour of TypeRB for guided executable lessons, or open the TypeRB Playground to evaluate, format, and transpile isolated scratch source in the browser.

Install the compiler

Install the current stable release with Homebrew:

brew install type-rb/tap/trb
trb version

To compile the current stable release from source, use Go 1.27:

go install github.com/type-rb/type-rb/cmd/trb@latest
trb version

Container builds can copy the compiler from the matching release image:

Replace X.Y.Z with the TypeRB release to install:

ARG TYPERB_VERSION=X.Y.Z
FROM ghcr.io/type-rb/trb:${TYPERB_VERSION} AS typerb

FROM golang:1.27-bookworm
COPY --from=typerb /usr/local/bin/trb /usr/local/bin/trb

See TypeRB in containers for complete build and runtime layouts for each target.

Run a standalone program

Create hello.trb:

def main()
	name := "TypeRB"
	puts("Hello, " + name + "!")
end

TypeRB needs only the toolchain for the target you choose. The Go examples in the rest of this guide require Go 1.27. Ruby is required only for the Ruby command below, and Bun only for the TypeScript command.

Run the program in Go mode to follow the rest of this guide:

trb hello.trb

If you prefer another target, run only the corresponding command:

trb run --mode ruby hello.trb
trb run --mode typescript --runtime bun hello.trb

Start the typed REPL from any directory with trb. It uses Go mode when no project configuration is present:

$ trb
trb:go> 1 + 2
3 : Integer

Create a project

Create a Go project:

trb init --mode go --module example.com/hello hello
cd hello

Create main.trb:

def main()
	puts("Hello from TypeRB")
end

Then format, lint, and run the project:

trb fmt
trb lint
trb run

Use trb build to keep generated target source. Go projects can also produce an executable with trb build --compile.

Choose a target

  • Go is suitable for native binaries and services.
  • Ruby is suitable for server and application development.
  • TypeScript is suitable for browser and server applications.

A target mode selects the backend, toolchain, and package ecosystem. It does not change TypeRB grammar or portable semantics. Continue with the learning path, or use the language guide as a practical reference.