---
id: cli
title: Cli usage
---

See full usage documentation by typing `tsp --help`:

:::warning
When using `tsp init` with an external template URL, be aware that downloading or using an untrusted template may contain malicious packages that can compromise your system and data. Proceed with caution and verify the source.
:::

```bash
>tsp --help
TypeSpec compiler v0.36.1

tsp <command>

Commands:
  tsp compile <path>       Compile TypeSpec source.
  tsp code                 Manage VS Code Extension.
  tsp vs                   Manage Visual Studio Extension.
  tsp format <include...>  Format given list of TypeSpec files.
  tsp init [templatesUrl]  Create a new TypeSpec project.
  tsp install              Install TypeSpec dependencies
  tsp info                 Show information about the current TypeSpec compiler.

Options:
  --help     Show help                                                 [boolean]
  --debug    Output debug log messages.               [boolean] [default: false]
  --pretty   Enable color and formatting in TypeSpec's output to make compiler error
             s easier to read.                         [boolean] [default: true]
  --version  Show version number                                       [boolean]
```

## Environment Variables

### `TYPESPEC_NPM_REGISTRY`

Set the npm registry URL used by `tsp init` and `tsp install` when downloading the package manager and resolving package manifests. This is useful in corporate environments where a private npm registry is required.

```bash
TYPESPEC_NPM_REGISTRY=https://my-corp-registry.example.com tsp init
```

If this variable is not set, TypeSpec defaults to `https://registry.npmjs.org`.
