# Is @storybook/addon-essentials ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @storybook/addon-essentials@8.6.14 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. Dual package — require() works on every Node.js version we test; import works too.

Curated addons to bring out the best of Storybook

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @storybook/addon-essentials@8.6.14.

@storybook/addon-essentials publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.0.0). require("@storybook/addon-essentials") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@storybook/addon-essentials" works alongside it.

## What to do

1. Nothing to change. require("@storybook/addon-essentials") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import * as addonEssentials from "@storybook/addon-essentials" works alongside it; use named imports for what the ESM entry exports.
2. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 8.6.14 (May 16, 2025)
- Module format: Dual (CommonJS + ESM)
- Last CommonJS version: 8.6.14
- Native ESM since: 7.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 4.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @storybook/addon-essentials@8.6.14

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

| Runtime | require("@storybook/addon-essentials") | import "@storybook/addon-essentials" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 @storybook/addon-essentials

ES modules:

```js
import * as addonEssentials from "@storybook/addon-essentials";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
const addonEssentials = require("@storybook/addon-essentials");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (280 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.1.7 – 8.6.18 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jun 12, 2024 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @storybook/addon-essentials ESM-only?**

@storybook/addon-essentials@8.6.14 ships CommonJS and ESM builds. @storybook/addon-essentials publishes both a CommonJS entry and a native ESM entry (ESM added in 7.0.0). require("@storybook/addon-essentials") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@storybook/addon-essentials" works alongside it.

**Can I require @storybook/addon-essentials?**

Yes. @storybook/addon-essentials ships a CommonJS entry alongside the native ESM entry. require("@storybook/addon-essentials") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.

**Does @storybook/addon-essentials work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@storybook/addon-essentials" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @storybook/addon-essentials ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. @storybook/addon-essentials bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [@storybook/addon-essentials on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@storybook/addon-essentials)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/storybookjs/storybook)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@storybook/addon-essentials/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@storybook/addon-essentials.json)

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