# Is @semantic-release/changelog ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 7.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 6.0.3.

semantic-release plugin to create or update a changelog file

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0.

@semantic-release/changelog dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (July 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.3, published Mar 23, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=14.17.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (@semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || >=24.15), require("@semantic-release/changelog") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and @semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || >=24.15, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

@semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 declares engines "^22.22.2 || >=24.15", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (@semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || >=24.15), require("@semantic-release/changelog") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const changelog = await import("@semantic-release/changelog"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || >=24.15).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install @semantic-release/changelog@6.0.3, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 23, 2023); it declares Node.js >=14.17.
4. @semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 declares engines "^22.22.2 || >=24.15", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: no types are available for @semantic-release/changelog; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.0.0 (Jul 21, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.3
- ESM-only since: 7.0.0 (Jul 21, 2026)
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: ^22.22.2 || >=24.15
- Weekly downloads: 1.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("@semantic-release/changelog") | import "@semantic-release/changelog" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 @semantic-release/changelog

ES modules:

```js
import * as changelog from "@semantic-release/changelog";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const changelog = require("@semantic-release/changelog");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || >=24.15), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const changelog = await import("@semantic-release/changelog");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=14.17):
// npm install @semantic-release/changelog@6.0.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (26 versions; the newest 26 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.0 | ESM-only | Jul 21, 2026 |
| 1.0.0 – 6.0.3 | CommonJS | Dec 17, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @semantic-release/changelog ESM-only?**

@semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 is ESM-only. @semantic-release/changelog dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (July 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.3, published Mar 23, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=14.17.

**Which version of @semantic-release/changelog still supports CommonJS / require()?**

6.0.3 is the last version of @semantic-release/changelog with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=14.17. Install it with "npm install @semantic-release/changelog@6.0.3". Every version from 7.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use @semantic-release/changelog from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const changelog = await import("@semantic-release/changelog"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.22.2 || >=24.15). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (@semantic-release/changelog@7.0.0 declares Node.js ^22.22.2 || >=24.15), require("@semantic-release/changelog") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin @semantic-release/changelog@6.0.3 (declares Node.js >=14.17).

**Does @semantic-release/changelog work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@semantic-release/changelog" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @semantic-release/changelog ship TypeScript types?**

No. @semantic-release/changelog ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [@semantic-release/changelog on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@semantic-release/changelog)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/semantic-release/changelog)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@semantic-release/changelog/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@semantic-release/changelog.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.