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

> @swc/core@1.16.2 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Super-fast alternative for babel

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @swc/core@1.16.2.

@swc/core ships CommonJS only. require("@swc/core") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10. import "@swc/core" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

## What to do

1. require("@swc/core") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import core from "@swc/core"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.16.2 (Sep 4, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.16.2
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=10
- Weekly downloads: 30.3M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for @swc/core@1.16.2

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

| Runtime | require("@swc/core") | import "@swc/core" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 @swc/core

ES modules:

```js
import core from "@swc/core";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const core = require("@swc/core");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (575 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.11.12 – 1.16.2 | CommonJS | Mar 23, 2025 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @swc/core ESM-only?**

@swc/core@1.16.2 is a CommonJS package. @swc/core ships CommonJS only. require("@swc/core") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10. import "@swc/core" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import @swc/core with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import core from "@swc/core" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does @swc/core work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@swc/core" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @swc/core ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [@swc/core on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@swc/core)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/swc-project/swc)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@swc/core/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@swc/core.json)

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