# Is clean-webpack-plugin ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> clean-webpack-plugin@4.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A webpack plugin to remove/clean your build folder(s).

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against clean-webpack-plugin@4.0.0.

clean-webpack-plugin ships CommonJS only. require("clean-webpack-plugin") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.0.0. import "clean-webpack-plugin" 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("clean-webpack-plugin") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import cleanWebpackPlugin from "clean-webpack-plugin"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 4.0.0 (Sep 1, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.0.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=10.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 1.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for clean-webpack-plugin@4.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("clean-webpack-plugin") | import "clean-webpack-plugin" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 clean-webpack-plugin

ES modules:

```js
import cleanWebpackPlugin from "clean-webpack-plugin";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const cleanWebpackPlugin = require("clean-webpack-plugin");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (27 versions; the newest 27 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 4.0.0 | CommonJS | Apr 6, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is clean-webpack-plugin ESM-only?**

clean-webpack-plugin@4.0.0 is a CommonJS package. clean-webpack-plugin ships CommonJS only. require("clean-webpack-plugin") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.0.0. import "clean-webpack-plugin" 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 clean-webpack-plugin with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import cleanWebpackPlugin from "clean-webpack-plugin" 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 clean-webpack-plugin work in Bun?**

Yes. import "clean-webpack-plugin" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does clean-webpack-plugin ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. clean-webpack-plugin bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [clean-webpack-plugin on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/clean-webpack-plugin)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/johnagan/clean-webpack-plugin)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/clean-webpack-plugin/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/clean-webpack-plugin.json)

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