# Is archiver ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> archiver@8.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 8.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 7.0.1.

a streaming interface for archive generation

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against archiver@8.0.0.

archiver dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (May 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.0.1, published Mar 10, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("archiver") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("archiver") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("archiver") 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 archiver = await import("archiver"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install archiver@7.0.1, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 10, 2024); it declares Node.js >= 14.
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/archiver

## Facts

- Latest: 8.0.0 (May 8, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 7.0.1
- ESM-only since: 8.0.0 (May 8, 2026)
- TypeScript types: @types/archiver
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 36.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for archiver@8.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("archiver") | import "archiver" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_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 archiver

ES modules:

```js
import * as archiver from "archiver";
```

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 archiver = require("archiver");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const archiver = await import("archiver");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 14):
// npm install archiver@7.0.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (80 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0.0 | ESM-only | May 8, 2026 |
| 0.6.0 – 7.0.1 | CommonJS | Feb 15, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is archiver ESM-only?**

archiver@8.0.0 is ESM-only. archiver dropped its CommonJS build in 8.0.0 (May 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 7.0.1, published Mar 10, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.

**Which version of archiver still supports CommonJS / require()?**

7.0.1 is the last version of archiver with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 14. Install it with "npm install archiver@7.0.1". Every version from 8.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use archiver from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const archiver = await import("archiver"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("archiver") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin archiver@7.0.1 (declares Node.js >= 14).

**Does archiver work in Bun?**

Yes. import "archiver" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does archiver ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/archiver".

## Links

- [archiver on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/archiver)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/archiverjs/node-archiver)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/archiver/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/archiver.json)

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