# Is @storybook/preset-create-react-app ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @storybook/preset-create-react-app@10.6.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 10.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 9.1.20.

Storybook for Create React App preset

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @storybook/preset-create-react-app@10.6.0.

@storybook/preset-create-react-app dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (October 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.1.20, published Mar 5, 2026.

@storybook/preset-create-react-app exposes only subpaths in its exports map, for example "@storybook/preset-create-react-app/index"; there is no root entry, so import "@storybook/preset-create-react-app" itself throws ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED. Import the subpath you need instead.

require("@storybook/preset-create-react-app") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("@storybook/preset-create-react-app") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. Import subpaths, never the bare name: import from "@storybook/preset-create-react-app/index". import "@storybook/preset-create-react-app" throws ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED.
2. require("@storybook/preset-create-react-app") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it.
3. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const presetCreateReactApp = await import("@storybook/preset-create-react-app/index"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
4. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install @storybook/preset-create-react-app@9.1.20, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 5, 2026).
5. TypeScript: no types are available for @storybook/preset-create-react-app; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 10.6.0 (Sep 2, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 9.1.20
- ESM-only since: 10.0.0 (Oct 28, 2025)
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 105K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @storybook/preset-create-react-app@10.6.0

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

| Runtime | require("@storybook/preset-create-react-app") | import "@storybook/preset-create-react-app" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) |
| Node.js 20 | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) |
| Node.js 22 | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) |
| Node.js 24 | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) |
| Node.js 26 | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) | fails (ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED) |
| Bun 1.4.0 | fails (Error) | fails (Error) |

## How to import @storybook/preset-create-react-app

ES modules:

```js
import * as presetCreateReactApp from "@storybook/preset-create-react-app/index";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// require("@storybook/preset-create-react-app/index") failed in our probe on Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer as well; see the runtime table.

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const presetCreateReactApp = await import("@storybook/preset-create-react-app/index");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install @storybook/preset-create-react-app@9.1.20
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (289 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0.7 – 10.6.0 | ESM-only | Nov 11, 2025 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @storybook/preset-create-react-app ESM-only?**

@storybook/preset-create-react-app@10.6.0 is ESM-only. @storybook/preset-create-react-app dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (October 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.1.20, published Mar 5, 2026.

**Which version of @storybook/preset-create-react-app still supports CommonJS / require()?**

9.1.20 is the last version of @storybook/preset-create-react-app with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install @storybook/preset-create-react-app@9.1.20". Every version from 10.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use @storybook/preset-create-react-app from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const presetCreateReactApp = await import("@storybook/preset-create-react-app/index"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. require("@storybook/preset-create-react-app") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it. Alternatively pin @storybook/preset-create-react-app@9.1.20.

**Does @storybook/preset-create-react-app work in Bun?**

Importing @storybook/preset-create-react-app failed in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026: error: Cannot find module '@storybook/preset-create-react-app' from '/Users/boat/Projects/top-seo/data/probe-work/@storybook__preset-create-react-app/imp.mjs'

**Does @storybook/preset-create-react-app ship TypeScript types?**

No. @storybook/preset-create-react-app ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

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

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