# Is @microsoft/api-extractor ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @microsoft/api-extractor@7.59.1 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Analyze the exported API for a TypeScript library and generate reviews, documentation, and .d.ts rollups

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @microsoft/api-extractor@7.59.1.

@microsoft/api-extractor publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.57.0). require("@microsoft/api-extractor") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0. import "@microsoft/api-extractor" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("@microsoft/api-extractor") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0. import * as apiExtractor from "@microsoft/api-extractor" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.59.1 (Sep 9, 2026)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 7.59.1
- Native ESM since: 7.57.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20.9.0
- Weekly downloads: 4.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @microsoft/api-extractor@7.59.1

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

| Runtime | require("@microsoft/api-extractor") | import "@microsoft/api-extractor" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 @microsoft/api-extractor

ES modules:

```js
import * as apiExtractor from "@microsoft/api-extractor";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const apiExtractor = require("@microsoft/api-extractor");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (551 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0.0 | CommonJS | Feb 18, 2019 |
| 7.57.0 – 7.59.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Feb 19, 2026 |
| 7.49.2 – 7.56.3 | CommonJS | Jan 30, 2025 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @microsoft/api-extractor ESM-only?**

@microsoft/api-extractor@7.59.1 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. @microsoft/api-extractor publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.57.0). require("@microsoft/api-extractor") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0. import "@microsoft/api-extractor" works alongside it.

**Can I require @microsoft/api-extractor?**

Yes. @microsoft/api-extractor ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("@microsoft/api-extractor") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=20.9.0.

**Does @microsoft/api-extractor work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@microsoft/api-extractor" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @microsoft/api-extractor ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. @microsoft/api-extractor bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [@microsoft/api-extractor on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@microsoft/api-extractor)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/microsoft/rushstack)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@microsoft/api-extractor/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@microsoft/api-extractor.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.