# Is @vue/cli-plugin-babel ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @vue/cli-plugin-babel@5.0.9 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

babel plugin for vue-cli

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @vue/cli-plugin-babel@5.0.9.

@vue/cli-plugin-babel ships CommonJS only. require("@vue/cli-plugin-babel") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@vue/cli-plugin-babel" 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("@vue/cli-plugin-babel") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import cliPluginBabel from "@vue/cli-plugin-babel"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for @vue/cli-plugin-babel; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.9 (Aug 21, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.9
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 326K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @vue/cli-plugin-babel@5.0.9

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

| Runtime | require("@vue/cli-plugin-babel") | import "@vue/cli-plugin-babel" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 @vue/cli-plugin-babel

ES modules:

```js
import cliPluginBabel from "@vue/cli-plugin-babel";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const cliPluginBabel = require("@vue/cli-plugin-babel");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (78 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6.0 – 5.0.9 | CommonJS | Apr 13, 2019 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @vue/cli-plugin-babel ESM-only?**

@vue/cli-plugin-babel@5.0.9 is a CommonJS package. @vue/cli-plugin-babel ships CommonJS only. require("@vue/cli-plugin-babel") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "@vue/cli-plugin-babel" 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 @vue/cli-plugin-babel with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import cliPluginBabel from "@vue/cli-plugin-babel" 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 @vue/cli-plugin-babel work in Bun?**

Yes. import "@vue/cli-plugin-babel" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does @vue/cli-plugin-babel ship TypeScript types?**

No. @vue/cli-plugin-babel ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [@vue/cli-plugin-babel on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@vue/cli-plugin-babel)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/vuejs/vue-cli)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@vue/cli-plugin-babel/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@vue/cli-plugin-babel.json)

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