# Is @babel/helper-plugin-utils ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.29.7.

General utilities for plugins to use

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1.

@babel/helper-plugin-utils dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.29.7, published May 25, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=6.9.0.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (@babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 declares Node.js ^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0), require("@babel/helper-plugin-utils") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and @babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 declares Node.js ^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

@babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 declares engines "^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (@babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 declares Node.js ^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0), require("@babel/helper-plugin-utils") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const helperPluginUtils = await import("@babel/helper-plugin-utils"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install @babel/helper-plugin-utils@7.29.7, the last CommonJS release (published May 25, 2026); it declares Node.js >=6.9.0.
4. @babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 declares engines "^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 8.0.1 (Jun 17, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 7.29.7
- ESM-only since: 8.0.0 (Jun 16, 2026)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: ^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0
- Weekly downloads: 140.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("@babel/helper-plugin-utils") from a CommonJS file and import "@babel/helper-plugin-utils" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("@babel/helper-plugin-utils") | import "@babel/helper-plugin-utils" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import @babel/helper-plugin-utils

ES modules:

```js
import * as helperPluginUtils from "@babel/helper-plugin-utils";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const helperPluginUtils = require("@babel/helper-plugin-utils");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const helperPluginUtils = await import("@babel/helper-plugin-utils");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=6.9.0):
// npm install @babel/helper-plugin-utils@7.29.7
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (31 versions; the newest 31 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0.0 – 8.0.1 | ESM-only | Jun 16, 2026 |
| 7.0.0 – 7.29.7 | CommonJS | Aug 27, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @babel/helper-plugin-utils ESM-only?**

@babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 is ESM-only. @babel/helper-plugin-utils dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.29.7, published May 25, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=6.9.0.

**Which version of @babel/helper-plugin-utils still supports CommonJS / require()?**

7.29.7 is the last version of @babel/helper-plugin-utils with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=6.9.0. Install it with "npm install @babel/helper-plugin-utils@7.29.7". Every version from 8.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use @babel/helper-plugin-utils from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const helperPluginUtils = await import("@babel/helper-plugin-utils"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (@babel/helper-plugin-utils@8.0.1 declares Node.js ^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0), require("@babel/helper-plugin-utils") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin @babel/helper-plugin-utils@7.29.7 (declares Node.js >=6.9.0).

**Does @babel/helper-plugin-utils work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@babel/helper-plugin-utils" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @babel/helper-plugin-utils ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. @babel/helper-plugin-utils bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [@babel/helper-plugin-utils on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@babel/helper-plugin-utils)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/babel/babel)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@babel/helper-plugin-utils/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@babel/helper-plugin-utils.json)

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