# Is @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding@7.8.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Allow parsing of optional catch bindings

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding@7.8.3.

@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding ships CommonJS only. require("@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

## What to do

1. require("@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import pluginSyntaxOptionalCatchBinding from "@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.8.3 (Jan 13, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.8.3
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 33.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding@7.8.3

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

| Runtime | require("@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding") | import "@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | 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/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding

ES modules:

```js
import pluginSyntaxOptionalCatchBinding from "@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const pluginSyntaxOptionalCatchBinding = require("@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (5 versions; the newest 5 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.0 – 7.8.3 | CommonJS | Aug 27, 2018 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding ESM-only?**

@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding@7.8.3 is a CommonJS package. @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding ships CommonJS only. require("@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import pluginSyntaxOptionalCatchBinding from "@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding ship TypeScript types?**

No. @babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/babel/babel/tree/master/packages/babel-plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@babel/plugin-syntax-optional-catch-binding.json)

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