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

> bunyan@1.8.15 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

a JSON logging library for node.js services

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against bunyan@1.8.15.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 1.8.15 (Jan 8, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.8.15
- TypeScript types: @types/bunyan
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 2.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for bunyan@1.8.15

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import bunyan from "bunyan";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (112 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.18.3 – 2.0.5 | CommonJS | Mar 2, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is bunyan ESM-only?**

bunyan@1.8.15 is a CommonJS package. bunyan ships CommonJS only. require("bunyan") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "bunyan" 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 bunyan with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does bunyan ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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