How to fix Plugin resolution failed for X in TypeScript

First, check if the plugin package is actually installed in your node_modules directory:

# Check if plugin is installed
npm list typescript-plugin-name
# or
yarn why typescript-plugin-name
# or
pnpm list typescript-plugin-name

# If not installed, install it:
npm install --save-dev typescript-plugin-name
# or
yarn add --dev typescript-plugin-name
# or
pnpm add --save-dev typescript-plugin-name

Make sure the plugin name in your package.json matches exactly what you have in tsconfig.json.

Verify your tsconfig.json has the correct plugin configuration. The plugin should be specified in the "compilerOptions.plugins" array:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "plugins": [
      {
        "name": "typescript-plugin-name"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Some plugins require additional configuration options. Check the plugin's documentation for the exact format. Also ensure you're not mixing plugin names with file paths incorrectly.

Check your moduleResolution setting in tsconfig.json. Some plugins may require specific module resolution strategies:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "moduleResolution": "node",
    "plugins": [
      {
        "name": "typescript-plugin-name"
      }
    ]
  }
}

If your plugin is an ESM module but your project uses CommonJS (or vice versa), you may need to adjust your tsconfig.json. Try setting "moduleResolution" to "node16" or "nodenext" for ESM plugins.

Ensure your TypeScript version is compatible with the plugin. Some plugins only work with specific TypeScript versions:

# Check your TypeScript version
npx tsc --version

# Check plugin compatibility requirements
# (usually in plugin's README or package.json)

If there's a version mismatch, you may need to:
1. Update TypeScript: npm install --save-dev typescript@latest
2. Downgrade TypeScript to a compatible version
3. Find an alternative plugin that supports your TypeScript version

Use TypeScript's traceResolution flag to debug module resolution issues:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "traceResolution": true,
    "plugins": [
      {
        "name": "typescript-plugin-name"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Then run TypeScript with verbose output:

npx tsc --extendedDiagnostics

This will show you exactly how TypeScript is trying to resolve the plugin module, which can reveal path issues or resolution conflicts.

If relative paths are causing issues, try using absolute paths or module aliases:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "plugins": [
      {
        "name": "/absolute/path/to/node_modules/typescript-plugin-name/lib/index.js"
      }
    ],
    "paths": {
      "typescript-plugin-name": ["./node_modules/typescript-plugin-name/lib/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Alternatively, if the plugin is published as a package, ensure you're using the package name (not a file path) and that Node.js can resolve it through normal module resolution.