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

> bootstrap@5.3.8 declares a CommonJS entry, but require() fails at runtime. CommonJS on paper — require() failed in our runtime test.

The most popular front-end framework for developing responsive, mobile first projects on the web.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against bootstrap@5.3.8.

bootstrap declares a CommonJS entry only, but require("bootstrap") failed on every Node.js version in our probe: ReferenceError: document is not defined. import "bootstrap" resolves to the same file, so it fails the same way. That usually means a missing peer dependency, a browser-only global, or a package that is not meant to be loaded directly; see the runtime table below.

It also declares a "module" field, so bundlers such as webpack, Vite and esbuild pick up an ESM build for tree-shaking.

## What to do

1. require("bootstrap") failed in our probe on every Node.js version (ReferenceError: document is not defined); check the package README for peer dependencies or setup before relying on it.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import bootstrap from "bootstrap"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/bootstrap

## Facts

- Latest: 5.3.8 (Aug 26, 2025)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.3.8
- TypeScript types: @types/bootstrap
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 5.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for bootstrap@5.3.8

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

| Runtime | require("bootstrap") | import "bootstrap" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 20 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 22 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 24 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 26 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Bun 1.4.0 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |

## How to import bootstrap

ES modules:

```js
import bootstrap from "bootstrap";
```

CommonJS:

```js
// require("bootstrap") failed in our probe on every Node.js version we test (ReferenceError: document is not defined); see the runtime table.
const bootstrap = require("bootstrap");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (50 versions; the newest 50 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 5.3.8 | CommonJS | Aug 28, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is bootstrap ESM-only?**

bootstrap@5.3.8 declares a CommonJS entry, but require() fails at runtime. bootstrap declares a CommonJS entry only, but require("bootstrap") failed on every Node.js version in our probe: ReferenceError: document is not defined. import "bootstrap" resolves to the same file, so it fails the same way. That usually means a missing peer dependency, a browser-only global, or a package that is not meant to be loaded directly; see the runtime table below.

**Can I require bootstrap?**

Not in practice. bootstrap declares a CommonJS entry, but require("bootstrap") failed on every Node.js version in our probe: ReferenceError: document is not defined. Check the package README for peer dependencies or setup before relying on it.

**Can I import bootstrap with ES module syntax?**

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

Importing bootstrap failed in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026: ReferenceError: document is not defined

**Does bootstrap ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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