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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. Markdown · 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 with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.2.3, published Aug 25, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >= 20.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("@nestjs/core") 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 @nestjs/core@12.0.1 declares Node.js >= 20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

@nestjs/core@12.0.1 declares engines ">= 20", 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("@nestjs/core") 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 core = await import("@nestjs/core"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20).
  3. If you need a synchronous require(): npm install @nestjs/core@11.2.3, the last CommonJS release (published Aug 25, 2026); it declares Node.js >= 20.
  4. @nestjs/core@12.0.1 declares engines ">= 20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
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
Weekly downloads
10.5M
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 1.4.0✓ works✓ works

How to import @nestjs/core

ES modules (import)

import * as core from "@nestjs/core";

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

CommonJS (require)

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

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>= 20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const core = await import("@nestjs/core");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 20):
// 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, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (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 with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.2.3, published Aug 25, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >= 20.

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

11.2.3 is the last version of @nestjs/core with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 20. 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?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const core = await import("@nestjs/core"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("@nestjs/core") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin @nestjs/core@11.2.3 (declares Node.js >= 20).

Does @nestjs/core work in Bun?

Yes. import "@nestjs/core" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 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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