There are languages that compile to Lua. Have you investigated those? For example, you can use a TypeScript syntax and pick up free typechecking along the way:

There are languages that compile to Lua. Have you investigated those? For example, you can use a TypeScript syntax and pick up free typechecking along the way: https://typescripttolua.github.io/ https://typescripttolua.github.io/ There's also the venerable MoonScript: https://moonscript.org/ https://moonscript.org/ And YueScript, a personal fave: https://yuescript.org/doc/ https://yuescript.org/doc/ A whole list: https://github.com/hengestone/lua-languages https://github.com/hengestone/lua-languages