Nola

Nola

Nola is a TypeScript superset that makes LLM inference a first-class language feature—introducing infer and ask constructs that compile to plain TypeScript so developers can write typed, observable LLM-backed functions with minimal glue.

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#54 in Coding (54 tools)
Just launched
Data reviewed Sep 11, 2026

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Quick Overview

Best for: Coding

What it does

Coding software for decision-makers comparing workflow fit and alternatives.

Best fit

Coding

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Nola

Nola is a small toolchain and a TypeScript superset that makes LLM inference part of the language surface. It introduces infer functions and an ask expression so developers can declare LLM-backed functions whose inputs and outputs are TypeScript types; the toolchain lowers .tsi files to ordinary TypeScript and derives JSON Schemas for types at compile time. Nola includes a CLI, a local Nola Console for observability, editor tooling (VS Code extension and language server), and a developer workflow that runs offline from a committed replay ledger until you opt into a live provider.

Nola is a TypeScript superset (.tsi) where LLM inference is a language feature: ask for typed values or let the model call your code. Lowers to plain TS.

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Key Features

Language-level inference (infer / ask)

Introduces infer functions and ask expressions as part of TypeScript where dot-prefixed parameters (e.g., .bio) form model-visible context and ask ..`prompt`<T> returns typed values validated against derived schemas.

Compile-time lowering and schema derivation

Nola lowers .tsi files to plain TypeScript before tsc/bundlers run, deriving JSON Schemas for each <T> from your TypeScript types at compile time.

Nola Console (observability)

Local trace viewer that records every ask and its events in a per-machine SQLite file; traces grouped by project, call, ask, and provider attempts with prompt, schema, provider, outcome and timing.

Editor & debugger integrations

Language server, tsserver plugin and VS Code extension (available); Zed and JetBrains integrations in progress; supports highlighting, diagnostics, hover, completion, go-to-definition and F5 debugging mapped to .tsi source.

CLI and tooling

Commands such as npm create nola@latest, npx nola-lang console, nola run, and skill install to scaffold projects, run the console, and add agent skills.

Observability hooks and receipts

Runtime emits events for ask lifecycle (onAskStart ... onInvocationEnd) and stores receipts; hooks observe events but cannot break an ask if they throw.

Offline-first starter and replay ledger

Starter project runs offline from a committed replay ledger so you can develop and test without an API key until you switch to a live provider.

Pricing

Free Tier Available

Starter scaffold and local runner work offline without an API key; project is Apache-2.0 licensed (open source). Live providers require your own API key or using the Nola Platform.

Use Cases

Structured extraction from text

Write infer functions that extract typed objects (e.g., Person) from free-form input using ask ..`prompt`<Type> and get a typed result validated at runtime.

Message triage and automated ticket creation

Chain asks and call native TypeScript functions (e.g., createTicket) from an infer function to triage customer messages and create backend tickets, returning typed results with ticket IDs.

Developers building LLM-backed business logic

Embed inference directly into TypeScript codebases where types are the contract, reducing schema/prompt/type drift and integrating with existing toolchains and databases.

Prompt tuning and observability

Use the Nola Console to inspect prompts, attempts, validation misses and durations to tune prompts and monitor model behavior in development.

Integrations

OpenAI and other model providers

Providers can be wrapped (example: nola({ baseUrl }, openai(...))) to resolve asks; live providers require API keys (starter runs offline until you switch).

Editors (VS Code, Zed, JetBrains)

VS Code extension and language server available today; Zed and JetBrains support in progress via the same Nola LSP.

Agents & skills

agent skill installer (npx nola-lang skill install) writes skill files for agents such as Claude, Code, Cursor, and Copilot so agents read project rules.

Benefits

Single typed expression: types are the contract and derive schemas at compile time, reducing glue between prompt, type and schema.
Seamless integration with TypeScript toolchains and editors—.tsi lowers to plain TS and editors map back to source positions.
Local observability with a trace console and per-ask receipts to help debug prompts and model responses.
Offline-first starter that runs without API keys and a replay ledger for reproducible development.
Minimal runtime surface—no SDK or agent required to get started; language constructs are the API.

Limitations

Requires Node ≥ 22 to use the scaffold and runtime.
.tsi source is owned and lowered by Nola (tsc does not directly parse .tsi)—you must run the Nola toolchain to lower .tsi to plain TypeScript.
Starter runs offline, but using a live model provider requires supplying your own API key or using the Nola Platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

No verified FAQs are available.

Getting Started

  1. 1 Step 1: Create a project scaffold: run npm create nola@latest (requires Node ≥ 22).
  2. 2 Step 2: Write a .tsi file with infer functions and ask ..`prompt`<T> usages and import the generated .tsi from plain TypeScript.
  3. 3 Step 3: Run the project with nola run src/main.ts or npm start, and open the project in VS Code for editor and debugging support.

Support

email

Contact via [email protected] (listed on the site footer).

docs

Documentation and examples are available from the site (Documentation link in the product nav).

community

Community links such as Discord and GitHub are provided on the site for discussion and contributions.

issues

Report bugs or file issues on the project's GitHub Issues (GitHub link in the site nav).

API

Available: No

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