How to use refs in React with Typescript

Question

I\'m using Typescript with React. I\'m having trouble understanding how to use refs so as to get static typing and intellisense with respect to the react nodes referenced by

Answer 1

EDIT: This is no longer the right way to use refs with Typescript. Look at Jeff Bowen's answer and upvote it to increase its visibility.

Found the answer to the problem. Use refs as below inside the class.

refs: {
    [key: string]: (Element);
    stepInput: (HTMLInputElement);
}

Thanks @basarat for pointing in the right direction.