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Is binary-extensions ESM-only? Can you require() it?

List of binary file extensions

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against binary-extensions@3.2.0. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.3.0

binary-extensions dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (April 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.3.0, published Mar 14, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("binary-extensions") 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("binary-extensions") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

What to do

  1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("binary-extensions") 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 binaryExtensions = await import("binary-extensions"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18.20).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install binary-extensions@2.3.0, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 14, 2024); it declares Node.js >=8.
  4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
3.2.0 (Sep 9, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
2.3.0
ESM-only since
3.0.0 (Apr 30, 2024)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>=18.20
Weekly downloads
82.0M
License
MIT

Does binary-extensions@3.2.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("binary-extensions")import "binary-extensions"
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 binary-extensions

ES modules (import)

import * as binaryExtensions from "binary-extensions";

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 binaryExtensions = require("binary-extensions");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18.20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const binaryExtensions = await import("binary-extensions");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install binary-extensions@2.3.0

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 (27 versions; the newest 27 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
3.0.0 – 3.2.0ESM-onlyApr 30, 2024
1.0.0 – 2.3.0CommonJSJan 24, 2015

Frequently asked

Is binary-extensions ESM-only?

binary-extensions@3.2.0 is ESM-only. binary-extensions dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (April 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.3.0, published Mar 14, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

Which version of binary-extensions still supports CommonJS / require()?

2.3.0 is the last version of binary-extensions with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install binary-extensions@2.3.0". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use binary-extensions from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const binaryExtensions = await import("binary-extensions"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18.20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("binary-extensions") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin binary-extensions@2.3.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

Does binary-extensions work in Bun?

Yes. import "binary-extensions" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does binary-extensions ship TypeScript types?

Yes. binary-extensions bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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