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

> cliui@9.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 9.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 8.0.1.

easily create complex multi-column command-line-interfaces

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against cliui@9.0.1.

cliui dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.0 (March 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.0.1, published Oct 1, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("cliui") 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 cliui@9.0.1 declares Node.js >=20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

cliui@9.0.1 declares engines ">=20", 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("cliui") 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 cliui = await import("cliui"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install cliui@8.0.1, the last CommonJS release (published Oct 1, 2022); it declares Node.js >=12.
4. cliui@9.0.1 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: no types are available for cliui; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 9.0.1 (Mar 17, 2025)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 8.0.1
- ESM-only since: 9.0.0 (Mar 16, 2025)
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: >=20
- Weekly downloads: 212.4M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for cliui@9.0.1

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 cliui = require("cliui");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const cliui = await import("cliui");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=12):
// npm install cliui@8.0.1
```

## 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0.0 – 9.0.1 | ESM-only | Mar 16, 2025 |
| 7.0.0 – 8.0.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Aug 16, 2020 |
| 1.0.0 – 6.0.0 | CommonJS | Apr 20, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is cliui ESM-only?**

cliui@9.0.1 is ESM-only. cliui dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.0 (March 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.0.1, published Oct 1, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=12.

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

8.0.1 is the last version of cliui with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=12. Install it with "npm install cliui@8.0.1". Every version from 9.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const cliui = await import("cliui"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("cliui") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin cliui@8.0.1 (declares Node.js >=12).

**Does cliui work in Bun?**

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

**Does cliui ship TypeScript types?**

No. cliui ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

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

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