# Is @inquirer/type ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @inquirer/type@4.1.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.0.10.

Inquirer core TS types

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @inquirer/type@4.1.1.

@inquirer/type dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (November 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.0.10, published Nov 8, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=18.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("@inquirer/type") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and @inquirer/type@4.1.1 declares Node.js >=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

@inquirer/type@4.1.1 declares engines ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("@inquirer/type") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const type = await import("@inquirer/type"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install @inquirer/type@3.0.10, the last CommonJS release (published Nov 8, 2025); it declares Node.js >=18.
4. @inquirer/type@4.1.1 declares engines ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.1.1 (Sep 2, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 3.0.10
- ESM-only since: 4.0.0 (Nov 16, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0
- Weekly downloads: 54.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @inquirer/type@4.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("@inquirer/type") | import "@inquirer/type" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 @inquirer/type

ES modules:

```js
import * as type from "@inquirer/type";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const type = require("@inquirer/type");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const type = await import("@inquirer/type");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=18):
// npm install @inquirer/type@3.0.10
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (50 versions; the newest 50 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 4.1.1 | ESM-only | Nov 16, 2025 |
| 0.1.0 – 3.0.10 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Mar 18, 2023 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @inquirer/type ESM-only?**

@inquirer/type@4.1.1 is ESM-only. @inquirer/type dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (November 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.0.10, published Nov 8, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=18.

**Which version of @inquirer/type still supports CommonJS / require()?**

3.0.10 is the last version of @inquirer/type with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=18. Install it with "npm install @inquirer/type@3.0.10". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use @inquirer/type from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const type = await import("@inquirer/type"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("@inquirer/type") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin @inquirer/type@3.0.10 (declares Node.js >=18).

**Does @inquirer/type work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@inquirer/type" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @inquirer/type ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [@inquirer/type on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@inquirer/type)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/SBoudrias/Inquirer.js)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@inquirer/type/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@inquirer/type.json)

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.