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

> babelify@10.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Babel browserify transform

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against babelify@10.0.0.

babelify ships CommonJS only. require("babelify") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.9.0. import "babelify" 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("babelify") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.9.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import babelify from "babelify"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/babelify

## Facts

- Latest: 10.0.0 (Sep 7, 2018)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 10.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/babelify
- Node engines: >=6.9.0
- Weekly downloads: 307K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for babelify@10.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("babelify") | import "babelify" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 babelify

ES modules:

```js
import babelify from "babelify";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const babelify = require("babelify");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (24 versions; the newest 24 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.1 – 10.0.0 | CommonJS | Feb 15, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is babelify ESM-only?**

babelify@10.0.0 is a CommonJS package. babelify ships CommonJS only. require("babelify") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.9.0. import "babelify" 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 babelify with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import babelify from "babelify" 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 babelify work in Bun?**

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

**Does babelify ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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