docs: note Node.js Timeout return for global timers (2.8)#3068
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bartlomieju merged 2 commits intoMay 20, 2026
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Deno 2.8 switches the global setTimeout/setInterval/clearTimeout/ clearInterval to use Node.js timer semantics by default — the timer ID is now a Node.js \`Timeout\` object (with \`.ref()\`/\`.unref()\` etc.) rather than a number. Numeric coercion still works, so most existing code is unaffected. Documents the change in the Node compat guide. Refs denoland/deno#33249
fibibot
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May 17, 2026
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The timer note matches denoland/deno#33249: globals now use Node timer APIs, and the upstream tests changed setTimeout()/setInterval() expectations from number to object while clearTimeout(t) remains covered. No check-runs are reported for this 2.8-branch PR, so holding approval until CI is green.
- nit:
last_modified: 2026-02-10should be bumped for this content addition.
bartlomieju
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May 20, 2026
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Summary
Documents the global-timer behavior change shipping in Deno 2.8 (denoland/deno#33249). Global
setTimeout/setIntervalnow return a Node.jsTimeoutobject instead of a number, matching Node.js semantics.setTimeout/setIntervalbullet to the "Node.js global objects" section inruntime/fundamentals/node.md..ref()/.unref()/.refresh()/.hasRef()methods.Symbol.toPrimitive, so existing code is unaffected.Test plan
deno task serverenders the new bullet inside the existing list.