Run code, not setup

Elide runs JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python directly from source. Bring a file, choose a command, and start with the runtime and APIs already inside the Elide binary.

3 source runtimes0 build steps1 native binary

Make sure Elide is ready

Confirm the binary is available, or install Elide before running the examples below.Installation guide

elide --version

Choose a runtime

Start from the language already in your hand. Elide detects JavaScript and TypeScript from the source extension; Python uses its familiar explicit entrypoint.

JavaScript

.js · .mjs

Run modern modules with Web Platform primitives and a broad set of Node-compatible APIs.

ES modulesWeb APIsNode APIs
elide hello.js

TypeScript

.ts · .mts

Execute TypeScript source directly for scripts, services, and command-line tools—no build step first.

Run sourceType syntaxTop-level await
elide hello.ts

Python

.py

Use the embedded Python runtime for pure-Python scripts, standard-library code, and CLI workflows.

Pure PythonStandard libraryCLI workflows
elide python hello.py
Two-minute quickstart

Your first run

Create a TypeScript file that reads one argument. Elide accepts the type annotation directly, exposes familiar process arguments, and executes the file without a separate compile command.

hello.ts
typescript
const [name = "world"] = process.argv.slice(2);const message: string = `Hello, ${name}!`;
console.log(message);console.log("TypeScript is running directly on Elide.");
NORMALhello.tsutf-8 · typescript · 5L
elide hello.ts -- team
Output
Hello, team!
TypeScript is running directly on Elide.
  1. 01SaveCreate hello.ts with the source shown here.
  2. 02RunPass team after -- as a program argument.
  3. 03IterateEdit and rerun—there is no build output to manage.

What happens when you run a file

The short command hides the plumbing, not the model. Elide keeps the path from source to execution predictable across supported languages.

01

Detect the source

The filename selects JavaScript, TypeScript, or Python without a separate runtime flag.

02

Start in-process

Elide launches its embedded runtime instead of handing the file to a system installation.

03

Bridge familiar APIs

Your code gets language-native modules plus compatible Web, Node, or Python interfaces.

  • No system Node.js required
  • No TypeScript transpile step
  • No separate Python install

Take the runtime further

Build on familiar APIs

Start with platform primitives instead of learning an Elide-only application model.

Move from run to serve

The same source can grow from a script into a watched local service.

Control the boundary

Make runtime assumptions explicit before an application reaches production.

Where to go next

Runtime compatibilityCheck language, API, and ecosystem support before adopting a dependency.CLI referenceExplore execution modes, flags, arguments, and runtime controls.Development serverKeep an application running with file watching during development.Elide ToolchainAdd dependencies, formatting, tests, builds, and shared project tasks.