🎉 Announcing typescript2cxx: The Next Generation TypeScript Transpiler for WoW Modding

[wowemulation-panda]

We're excited to announce typescript2cxx, a Deno-native TypeScript to C++20 transpiler designed to become the new standard for World of Warcraft content creation and modding!

🔗 Repository: https://github.com/wowemulation-dev/typescript2cxx

📦 A New Era for WoW Modding

typescript2cxx is designed to replace the current transpiler in TSWoW, providing the WoW modding community with a modern, powerful way to write scripts for their content. By leveraging TypeScript's type safety and modern C++20 features, modders can create complex game mechanics with confidence and performance.

🚀 Why typescript2cxx?

Beyond TSWoW's Current Limitations

While TSWoW pioneered TypeScript scripting for WoW, typescript2cxx addresses key limitations:

• Modern C++20: Leverages concepts, coroutines, and modules for cleaner, safer code
• Deno Runtime: Cross-platform support without Node.js dependencies
• Plugin Architecture: Extensible system for custom transformations
• Type Safety: Preserves TypeScript's type guarantees in generated C++
• Performance: Generates optimized code patterns specifically for game emulation

Built for Modders

typescript2cxx is designed with the WoW modding community in mind:

• Write complex boss encounters in TypeScript
• Create custom spell systems with type-safe APIs
• Develop quest chains with async/await syntax
• Build custom game systems without C++ expertise

Developer Experience

Built with modern tooling:

• Deno runtime for cross-platform support
• CLI with watch mode for rapid development
• Comprehensive test suite
• JSR package distribution

🔌 Extensible Plugin Architecture

One of typescript2cxx's most powerful features is its plugin system, enabling custom transformations and integrations:

Core Plugin System

• Transform Plugins: Modify the AST during transpilation
• Code Generation Plugins: Customize C++ output patterns
• Type Mapping Plugins: Define custom TypeScript to C++ type conversions
• Runtime Plugins: Inject custom runtime support code

Game Engine Plugin

The included game engine plugin demonstrates the system's power:

// Use decorators for database mappings
@Entity("creature_template")
class Creature { }

// Automatic spell system integration
@SpellScript("frostbolt")
class FrostboltSpell { }

// Event handler generation
@EventHandler("PLAYER_LOGIN")
async function onPlayerLogin(player: Player) { }

Creating Custom Plugins

Extend typescript2cxx for your server's specific needs:

// Define custom decorators for your core
@CustomSystem("achievement")
class AchievementHandler { }

// Add server-specific type mappings
type CustomGuid = bigint; // Maps to your core's GUID type

// Integrate with your custom systems
@NetworkPacket(0x1234)
class CustomPacket { }

This plugin architecture ensures typescript2cxx can adapt to any emulation core or custom server implementation!

🚀 Getting Started

Install via Deno:

deno install -A -n typescript2cxx jsr:@wowemulation-dev/typescript2cxx/cli

Basic usage:

# Transpile a single file
typescript2cxx input.ts -o output.cpp

# Watch mode for development
typescript2cxx src/ --watch --outdir=cpp/

# With game engine plugin
typescript2cxx game-logic.ts --plugin=game-engine

📖 Real-World Modding Example

Create a custom boss encounter with TypeScript:

@BossScript("kelthuzad")
class KelthuzadAI extends CreatureAI {
  private phase: number = 1;
  private frostboltTimer: number = 5000;

  async onCombatStart(victim: Unit): Promise<void> {
    await this.creature.yell("Your soul is bound to me!");
    await this.schedulePhaseTransition();
  }

  async updateAI(diff: number): Promise<void> {
    if (!this.updateVictim()) return;

    this.frostboltTimer -= diff;
    if (this.frostboltTimer <= 0) {
      await this.castSpell(SpellIds.FROSTBOLT, this.victim);
      this.frostboltTimer = this.phase === 2 ? 2500 : 5000;
    }

    if (this.phase === 1 && this.creature.healthPct <= 45) {
      await this.transitionToPhase2();
    }
  }

  private async transitionToPhase2(): Promise<void> {
    this.phase = 2;
    await this.creature.yell("I require more minions!");
    await this.summonAdds();
  }
}

This TypeScript code generates optimized C++20 that integrates seamlessly with your emulation core - no manual C++ writing required!

📊 Type Mappings

TypeScript	C++20
number	double
string	std::string
boolean	bool
T[]	std::vector<T>
Promise<T>	Coroutines
interface	struct with concepts

🔮 Roadmap to Replace TSWoW Transpiler

Current Status (v0.1.0)

• ✅ TypeScript parsing with swc
• ✅ Intermediate representation (IR)
• ✅ C++ code generation
• ✅ Basic runtime library
• ✅ CLI tool with watch mode
• ✅ Plugin system architecture

Upcoming Features

• 🔄 TSWoW compatibility layer for existing scripts
• 🔄 Integration with TrinityCore and AzerothCore
• 🔄 Advanced spell system bindings
• 🔄 Visual Studio Code extension
• 🔄 Migration tools from TSWoW scripts

🤝 Join the Revolution

Help us build the future of WoW modding:

• TSWoW Users: Test your existing scripts and report compatibility issues
• Core Developers: Help integrate with TrinityCore/AzerothCore
• Modders: Share your use cases and feature requests
• Contributors: Implement language features and game bindings

📚 Resources

• Documentation
• Examples
• Discord Server - Join #typescript2cxx channel

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Special thanks to:

• The TSWoW team for pioneering TypeScript in WoW modding
• ASDAlexander77's original TypeScript2Cxx project for inspiration
• The WoW modding and emulation communities for their continued innovation

Together, we're making WoW modding more accessible and powerful than ever before!

🎮 The future of WoW scripting is TypeScript!