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

> braces@3.0.3 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Bash-like brace expansion, implemented in JavaScript. Safer than other brace expansion libs, with complete support for the Bash 4.3 braces specification, without sacrificing speed.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against braces@3.0.3.

braces ships CommonJS only. require("braces") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8. import "braces" 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("braces") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import braces from "braces"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/braces

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.3 (May 21, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.0.3
- TypeScript types: @types/braces
- Node engines: >=8
- Weekly downloads: 149.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for braces@3.0.3

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import braces from "braces";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (37 versions; the newest 37 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 3.0.3 | CommonJS | Oct 20, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is braces ESM-only?**

braces@3.0.3 is a CommonJS package. braces ships CommonJS only. require("braces") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8. import "braces" 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 braces with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does braces ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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