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

> cli-spinners@3.4.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.9.2.

Spinners for use in the terminal

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against cli-spinners@3.4.0.

cli-spinners dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (April 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.9.2, published Nov 24, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

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

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("cli-spinners") 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 cliSpinners = await import("cli-spinners"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18.20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install cli-spinners@2.9.2, the last CommonJS release (published Nov 24, 2023); it declares Node.js >=6.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.4.0 (Jan 13, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 2.9.2
- ESM-only since: 3.0.0 (Apr 30, 2024)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18.20
- Weekly downloads: 40.3M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for cli-spinners@3.4.0

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

| Runtime | require("cli-spinners") | import "cli-spinners" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 cli-spinners

ES modules:

```js
import * as cliSpinners from "cli-spinners";
```

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 cliSpinners = require("cli-spinners");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18.20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const cliSpinners = await import("cli-spinners");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=6):
// npm install cli-spinners@2.9.2
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (30 versions; the newest 30 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.0 – 3.4.0 | ESM-only | Apr 30, 2024 |
| 0.1.0 – 2.9.2 | CommonJS | Mar 3, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is cli-spinners ESM-only?**

cli-spinners@3.4.0 is ESM-only. cli-spinners dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (April 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.9.2, published Nov 24, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

**Which version of cli-spinners still supports CommonJS / require()?**

2.9.2 is the last version of cli-spinners with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=6. Install it with "npm install cli-spinners@2.9.2". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use cli-spinners from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const cliSpinners = await import("cli-spinners"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18.20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("cli-spinners") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin cli-spinners@2.9.2 (declares Node.js >=6).

**Does cli-spinners work in Bun?**

Yes. import "cli-spinners" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does cli-spinners ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. cli-spinners bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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