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prefer-type-fest-unknown-array

Require TypeFest UnknownArray over readonly unknown[] and ReadonlyArray<unknown>.

Targeted pattern scopeโ€‹

This rule targets explicit unknown-array spellings that TypeFest standardizes as UnknownArray.

  • readonly unknown[]
  • ReadonlyArray<unknown>

Other collection contracts are left alone unless they match the exact unknown collection form listed below.

What this rule reportsโ€‹

This rule reports unknown-array type forms that should migrate to UnknownArray.

  • readonly unknown[]
  • ReadonlyArray<unknown>

Why this rule existsโ€‹

UnknownArray provides a clearer, shared alias for unknown element arrays and keeps utility-type usage consistent with other TypeFest-first conventions.

โŒ Incorrectโ€‹

type Values = readonly unknown[];

โœ… Correctโ€‹

type Values = UnknownArray;

Behavior and migration notesโ€‹

  • UnknownArray is the canonical alias for readonly unknown-element arrays in type-fest style.
  • This rule normalizes readonly unknown[] and ReadonlyArray<unknown> into one shared name.
  • Use this alias for untyped collection ingress points before narrowing.

Additional examplesโ€‹

โŒ Incorrect โ€” Additional exampleโ€‹

type Input = readonly unknown[];

โœ… Correct โ€” Additional exampleโ€‹

type Input = UnknownArray;

โœ… Correct โ€” Repository-wide usageโ€‹

type PayloadList = UnknownArray;

ESLint flat config exampleโ€‹

import typefest from "eslint-plugin-typefest";

export default [
{
plugins: { typefest },
rules: {
"typefest/prefer-type-fest-unknown-array": "error",
},
},
];

When not to use itโ€‹

Disable this rule if external API signatures must preserve existing alias names.

Package documentationโ€‹

TypeFest package documentation:

Source file: source/unknown-array.d.ts

/**
Represents an array with `unknown` value.

Use case: You want a type that all arrays can be assigned to, but you don't care about the value.

@example
```
import type {UnknownArray} from 'type-fest';

type IsArray<T> = T extends UnknownArray ? true : false;

type A = IsArray<['foo']>;
//=> true

type B = IsArray<readonly number[]>;
//=> true

type C = IsArray<string>;
//=> false
```

@category Type
@category Array
*/

Rule catalog ID: R069

Further readingโ€‹

Adoption resourcesโ€‹