---
url: /docs/guide/usage/linter/rules/typescript/prefer-optional-chain.md
---

### What it does

Enforce using concise optional chain expressions instead of chained logical AND
operators, negated logical OR operators, or empty objects.

Note that this rule is in the nursery category while we ensure it is working
correctly in as many edge-case scenarios as possible. The logic for this is
complex and the autofix may cause logic changes in some edge-cases.

### Why is this bad?

TypeScript 3.7 introduced optional chaining (`?.`) which provides a more concise
and readable way to access properties on potentially nullish values. Using optional
chaining instead of logical AND chains (`&&`) or other patterns improves code clarity.

### Examples

Examples of **incorrect** code for this rule:

```ts
foo && foo.bar;
foo && foo.bar && foo.bar.baz;
foo && foo["bar"];
foo && foo.bar && foo.bar.baz && foo.bar.baz.buzz;
foo && foo.bar && foo.bar.baz.buzz;
foo && foo.bar.baz && foo.bar.baz.buzz;
(foo || {}).bar;
```

Examples of **correct** code for this rule:

```ts
foo?.bar;
foo?.bar?.baz;
foo?.["bar"];
foo?.bar?.baz?.buzz;
foo?.bar?.baz.buzz;
foo?.bar.baz?.buzz;
foo?.bar;
```

## Configuration

This rule accepts a configuration object with the following properties:

### allowPotentiallyUnsafeFixesThatModifyTheReturnTypeIKnowWhatImDoing

type: `boolean`

default: `false`

Allow autofixers that will change the return type of the expression.
This option is considered unsafe as it may break the build.

### checkAny

type: `boolean`

default: `true`

Check operands that are typed as `any` when inspecting "loose boolean" operands.

### checkBigInt

type: `boolean`

default: `true`

Check operands that are typed as `bigint` when inspecting "loose boolean" operands.

### checkBoolean

type: `boolean`

default: `true`

Check operands that are typed as `boolean` when inspecting "loose boolean" operands.

### checkNumber

type: `boolean`

default: `true`

Check operands that are typed as `number` when inspecting "loose boolean" operands.

### checkString

type: `boolean`

default: `true`

Check operands that are typed as `string` when inspecting "loose boolean" operands.

### checkUnknown

type: `boolean`

default: `true`

Check operands that are typed as `unknown` when inspecting "loose boolean" operands.

### requireNullish

type: `boolean`

default: `false`

Skip operands that are not typed with `null` and/or `undefined` when inspecting
"loose boolean" operands.

## How to use

## Version

This rule was added in v1.39.0.

## References