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Is @nestjs/core ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Nest - modern, fast, powerful node.js web framework (@core)

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @nestjs/core@12.0.1. JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 12.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 11.2.3

@nestjs/core dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (August 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 11.2.3, published Aug 25, 2026.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and every newer release, require("@nestjs/core") works anyway: Node can load synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node 20, 22, 24, 26. Node.js 18 and older still fail with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

@nestjs/core@12.0.1 declares engines ">= 20", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

Latest
12.0.1 (Aug 27, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
11.2.3
ESM-only since
12.0.0 (Aug 27, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>= 20
License
MIT

Does @nestjs/core@12.0.1 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("@nestjs/core")import "@nestjs/core"
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 @nestjs/core

ES modules (import)

import core from "@nestjs/core";

CommonJS (require)

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

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install @nestjs/core@11.2.3

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (400 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
12.0.0 – 12.0.1ESM-onlyAug 27, 2026
10.4.21 – 11.2.3CommonJSJan 8, 2026

Frequently asked

Is @nestjs/core ESM-only?

@nestjs/core@12.0.1 is ESM-only. @nestjs/core dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (August 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 11.2.3, published Aug 25, 2026.

Which version of @nestjs/core still supports CommonJS / require()?

11.2.3 is the last version of @nestjs/core with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install @nestjs/core@11.2.3". Every version from 12.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use @nestjs/core from a CommonJS file?

Use a dynamic import: const mod = await import("@nestjs/core"). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, a plain require("@nestjs/core") also works for ESM packages that do not use top-level await. Alternatively pin @nestjs/core@11.2.3.

Does @nestjs/core work in Bun?

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

Does @nestjs/core ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

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