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Is agent-base ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Turn a function into an `http.Agent` instance

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against agent-base@9.0.0. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.1.4

agent-base dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.1.4, published Jul 7, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("agent-base") 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 agent-base@9.0.0 declares Node.js >= 20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

agent-base@9.0.0 declares engines ">= 20", 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("agent-base") 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 agentBase = await import("agent-base"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install agent-base@7.1.4, the last CommonJS release (published Jul 7, 2025); it declares Node.js >= 14.
  4. agent-base@9.0.0 declares engines ">= 20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
9.0.0 (Apr 1, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
7.1.4
ESM-only since
8.0.0 (Mar 11, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>= 20
Weekly downloads
185.6M
License
MIT

Does agent-base@9.0.0 actually load? Runtime test results

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("agent-base") from a CommonJS file and import "agent-base" from an ES module.

Runtimerequire("agent-base")import "agent-base"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_REQUIRE_ESM✓ 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 agent-base

ES modules (import)

import * as agentBase from "agent-base";

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

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const agentBase = require("agent-base");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>= 20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const agentBase = await import("agent-base");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 14):
// npm install agent-base@7.1.4

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (33 versions; the newest 33 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
8.0.0 – 9.0.0ESM-onlyMar 11, 2026
0.0.1 – 7.1.4CommonJSJul 9, 2013

Frequently asked

Is agent-base ESM-only?

agent-base@9.0.0 is ESM-only. agent-base dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (March 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.1.4, published Jul 7, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

Which version of agent-base still supports CommonJS / require()?

7.1.4 is the last version of agent-base with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 14. Install it with "npm install agent-base@7.1.4". Every version from 8.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use agent-base from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const agentBase = await import("agent-base"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("agent-base") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin agent-base@7.1.4 (declares Node.js >= 14).

Does agent-base work in Bun?

Yes. import "agent-base" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does agent-base ship TypeScript types?

Yes. agent-base bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

Other esm-only packages

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