Automate Code Updates in Firebase Cloud Functions with TypeScript and Local Emulators

Learn how to avoid restarting Firebase Cloud Functions locally on every change by using TypeScript's watch feature. This guide will help streamline your development process.
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How to Automatically Update Code in Firebase Cloud Functions on Local Emulator with TypeScript

Developing applications using Firebase Cloud Functions can be a streamlined process, especially when testing locally with the use of emulators. However, a common frustration developers encounter is the need to stop and restart the emulator every time they make a code change. If you’re working with TypeScript, you might be wondering if there’s a way to automate code updates without this hassle. The good news: there is! In this post, we will explore how to set up your environment so that it reflects changes automatically, saving you time and improving your workflow.

Understanding the Problem

As you develop your Firebase Cloud Functions with TypeScript, you're likely to make frequent code updates. The usual flow requires you to:

Update your TypeScript code.

Hit save.

Immediately stop the local emulator.

Restart the emulator to see your changes take effect.

This cycle can slow down your development, making it critical to find a way to streamline the process.

The Solution: Using TypeScript’s Watch Feature

Here’s how you can set this up:

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This setup tells TypeScript where to look for files to compile and what to exclude, ensuring a clean and efficient build process.

Step 2: Modify Your npm Scripts

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This command utilizes the --watch flag from TypeScript's compiler (tsc) to continuously watch your code and rebuild it on save before running Firebase's local emulator.

Step 3: Start Your Development Environment

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This command will now automatically build your TypeScript files every time you make a change and save them, keeping your local emulator active and up-to-date.

Benefits of Using This Setup

Increased Productivity: Reducing the downtime between code saves allows you to focus on developing features faster.

Streamlined Development Cycle: With real-time updates in the emulator, testing becomes more efficient.

Cleaner Workflow: You can avoid restarting the emulator repeatedly, which can be tedious and time-consuming.

Conclusion