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

> chokidar@5.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 5.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 4.0.3.

Minimal and efficient cross-platform file watching library

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against chokidar@5.0.0.

chokidar dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (November 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.3, published Dec 18, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.16.0.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("chokidar") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and chokidar@5.0.0 declares Node.js >= 20.19.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

chokidar@5.0.0 declares engines ">= 20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("chokidar") 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 chokidar = await import("chokidar"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20.19.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install chokidar@4.0.3, the last CommonJS release (published Dec 18, 2024); it declares Node.js >= 14.16.0.
4. chokidar@5.0.0 declares engines ">= 20.19.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.0 (Nov 25, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 4.0.3
- ESM-only since: 5.0.0 (Nov 25, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 20.19.0
- Weekly downloads: 185.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for chokidar@5.0.0

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 chokidar = require("chokidar");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>= 20.19.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const chokidar = await import("chokidar");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >= 14.16.0):
// npm install chokidar@4.0.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (103 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.0 | ESM-only | Nov 25, 2025 |
| 4.0.0 – 4.0.3 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Sep 13, 2024 |
| 0.12.5 – 3.6.0 | CommonJS | Dec 17, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is chokidar ESM-only?**

chokidar@5.0.0 is ESM-only. chokidar dropped its CommonJS build in 5.0.0 (November 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 4.0.3, published Dec 18, 2024; it declares support for Node.js >= 14.16.0.

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

4.0.3 is the last version of chokidar with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >= 14.16.0. Install it with "npm install chokidar@4.0.3". Every version from 5.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const chokidar = await import("chokidar"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>= 20.19.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("chokidar") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin chokidar@4.0.3 (declares Node.js >= 14.16.0).

**Does chokidar work in Bun?**

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

**Does chokidar ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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