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

> cli-truncate@6.1.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.1.0.

Truncate a string to a specific width in the terminal

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against cli-truncate@6.1.1.

cli-truncate dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.1.0, published Dec 6, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (cli-truncate@6.1.1 declares Node.js >=22), require("cli-truncate") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and cli-truncate@6.1.1 declares Node.js >=22, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

cli-truncate@6.1.1 declares engines ">=22", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (cli-truncate@6.1.1 declares Node.js >=22), require("cli-truncate") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const cliTruncate = await import("cli-truncate"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install cli-truncate@2.1.0, the last CommonJS release (published Dec 6, 2019); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. cli-truncate@6.1.1 declares engines ">=22", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 6.1.1 (Jul 9, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 2.1.0
- ESM-only since: 3.0.0 (Aug 10, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=22
- Weekly downloads: 36.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for cli-truncate@6.1.1

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

| Runtime | require("cli-truncate") | import "cli-truncate" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (SyntaxError) |
| 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-truncate

ES modules:

```js
import * as cliTruncate from "cli-truncate";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const cliTruncate = require("cli-truncate");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const cliTruncate = await import("cli-truncate");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install cli-truncate@2.1.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (18 versions; the newest 18 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.0 – 6.1.1 | ESM-only | Aug 10, 2021 |
| 0.1.0 – 2.1.0 | CommonJS | Mar 11, 2016 |

## Frequently asked

**Is cli-truncate ESM-only?**

cli-truncate@6.1.1 is ESM-only. cli-truncate dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (August 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.1.0, published Dec 6, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

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

2.1.0 is the last version of cli-truncate with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install cli-truncate@2.1.0". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const cliTruncate = await import("cli-truncate"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (cli-truncate@6.1.1 declares Node.js >=22), require("cli-truncate") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin cli-truncate@2.1.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

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

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

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

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

## Links

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

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