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Is commander ESM-only? Can you require() it?

the complete solution for node.js command-line programs

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against commander@15.0.0. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 15.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 14.0.3

commander dropped its CommonJS build in 15.0.0 (May 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 14.0.3, published Jan 31, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=20.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (commander@15.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0), require("commander") 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 commander@15.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

commander@15.0.0 declares engines ">=22.12.0", 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 (commander@15.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0), require("commander") 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 commander = await import("commander"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.12.0).
  3. If you need a synchronous require(): npm install commander@14.0.3, the last CommonJS release (published Jan 31, 2026); it declares Node.js >=20.
  4. commander@15.0.0 declares engines ">=22.12.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
15.0.0 (May 29, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
14.0.3
ESM-only since
15.0.0 (May 29, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>=22.12.0
Weekly downloads
451.1M
License
MIT

Does commander@15.0.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("commander")import "commander"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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 commander

ES modules (import)

import * as commander from "commander";

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

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const commander = require("commander");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22.12.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const commander = await import("commander");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=20):
// npm install commander@14.0.3

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (103 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
15.0.0ESM-onlyMay 29, 2026
9.0.0 – 14.0.3Dual (CommonJS + ESM)Jan 29, 2022
2.8.1 – 8.3.0CommonJSApr 24, 2015

Frequently asked

Is commander ESM-only?

commander@15.0.0 is ESM-only. commander dropped its CommonJS build in 15.0.0 (May 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 14.0.3, published Jan 31, 2026; it declares support for Node.js >=20.

Which version of commander still supports CommonJS / require()?

14.0.3 is the last version of commander with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=20. Install it with "npm install commander@14.0.3". Every version from 15.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use commander from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const commander = await import("commander"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.12.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (commander@15.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.12.0), require("commander") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin commander@14.0.3 (declares Node.js >=20).

Does commander work in Bun?

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

Does commander ship TypeScript types?

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

Links

Other esm-only packages

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