# Is @vitejs/plugin-react ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @vitejs/plugin-react@6.1.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.7.0.

The default Vite plugin for React projects

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @vitejs/plugin-react@6.1.1.

@vitejs/plugin-react dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (August 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.7.0, published Jul 18, 2025; it declares support for Node.js ^14.18.0 || >=16.0.0.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("@vitejs/plugin-react") 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 @vitejs/plugin-react@6.1.1 declares Node.js ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

@vitejs/plugin-react@6.1.1 declares engines "^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0", 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("@vitejs/plugin-react") 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 pluginReact = await import("@vitejs/plugin-react"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install @vitejs/plugin-react@4.7.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jul 18, 2025); it declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || >=16.0.0.
4. @vitejs/plugin-react@6.1.1 declares engines "^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: no types are available for @vitejs/plugin-react; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.1.1 (Aug 28, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 4.7.0
- ESM-only since: 5.0.0 (Aug 7, 2025)
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0
- Weekly downloads: 74.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @vitejs/plugin-react@6.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("@vitejs/plugin-react") | import "@vitejs/plugin-react" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (SyntaxError) |
| 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 @vitejs/plugin-react

ES modules:

```js
import * as pluginReact from "@vitejs/plugin-react";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const pluginReact = require("@vitejs/plugin-react");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const pluginReact = await import("@vitejs/plugin-react");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || >=16.0.0):
// npm install @vitejs/plugin-react@4.7.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (66 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 – 6.1.1 | ESM-only | Aug 7, 2025 |
| 2.0.0 – 4.7.0 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Jul 13, 2022 |
| 1.0.6 – 1.3.2 | CommonJS | Oct 25, 2021 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @vitejs/plugin-react ESM-only?**

@vitejs/plugin-react@6.1.1 is ESM-only. @vitejs/plugin-react dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (August 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.7.0, published Jul 18, 2025; it declares support for Node.js ^14.18.0 || >=16.0.0.

**Which version of @vitejs/plugin-react still supports CommonJS / require()?**

4.7.0 is the last version of @vitejs/plugin-react with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || >=16.0.0. Install it with "npm install @vitejs/plugin-react@4.7.0". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use @vitejs/plugin-react from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const pluginReact = await import("@vitejs/plugin-react"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("@vitejs/plugin-react") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin @vitejs/plugin-react@4.7.0 (declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || >=16.0.0).

**Does @vitejs/plugin-react work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@vitejs/plugin-react" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @vitejs/plugin-react ship TypeScript types?**

No. @vitejs/plugin-react ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [@vitejs/plugin-react on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@vitejs/plugin-react)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/vitejs/vite-plugin-react)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@vitejs/plugin-react/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@vitejs/plugin-react.json)

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