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Is @babel/parser ESM-only? Can you require() it?

A JavaScript parser

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @babel/parser@8.0.4. JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.29.8

@babel/parser dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 7.29.8, published Jul 31, 2026.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and every newer release, require("@babel/parser") works anyway: Node can load synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node 22, 24, 26. Node.js 18 and older still fail with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

@babel/parser@8.0.4 declares engines "^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

Latest
8.0.4 (Jul 9, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
7.29.8
ESM-only since
8.0.0 (Jun 16, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
^22.18.0 || >=24.11.0
License
MIT

Does @babel/parser@8.0.4 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("@babel/parser")import "@babel/parser"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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✓ works✓ works

How to import @babel/parser

ES modules (import)

import parser from "@babel/parser";

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+ / 22.12+ / newer (package has no top-level await):
const parser = require("@babel/parser");

// Any Node.js version:
const parser = await import("@babel/parser");

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install @babel/parser@7.29.8

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (203 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
8.0.0 – 8.0.4ESM-onlyJun 16, 2026
7.22.0 – 7.29.8CommonJSMay 26, 2023

Frequently asked

Is @babel/parser ESM-only?

@babel/parser@8.0.4 is ESM-only. @babel/parser dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (June 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 7.29.8, published Jul 31, 2026.

Which version of @babel/parser still supports CommonJS / require()?

7.29.8 is the last version of @babel/parser with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install @babel/parser@7.29.8". Every version from 8.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use @babel/parser from a CommonJS file?

Use a dynamic import: const mod = await import("@babel/parser"). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, a plain require("@babel/parser") also works for ESM packages that do not use top-level await. Alternatively pin @babel/parser@7.29.8.

Does @babel/parser work in Bun?

Yes. import "@babel/parser" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does @babel/parser ship TypeScript types?

Yes. @babel/parser bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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