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

> boxen@8.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 6.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 5.1.2.

Create boxes in the terminal

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against boxen@8.0.1.

boxen dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (September 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.1.2, published Sep 17, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("boxen") 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 boxen = await import("boxen"). 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 boxen@5.1.2, the last CommonJS release (published Sep 17, 2021); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 8.0.1 (Aug 5, 2024)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 5.1.2
- ESM-only since: 6.0.0 (Sep 30, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 20.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for boxen@8.0.1

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 boxen = require("boxen");

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

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install boxen@5.1.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (41 versions; the newest 41 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0.0 – 8.0.1 | ESM-only | Sep 30, 2021 |
| 0.1.0 – 5.1.2 | CommonJS | Dec 21, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is boxen ESM-only?**

boxen@8.0.1 is ESM-only. boxen dropped its CommonJS build in 6.0.0 (September 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 5.1.2, published Sep 17, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

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

5.1.2 is the last version of boxen with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install boxen@5.1.2". Every version from 6.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const boxen = await import("boxen"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("boxen") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin boxen@5.1.2 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does boxen work in Bun?**

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

**Does boxen ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. boxen bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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