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

> connect@3.7.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

High performance middleware framework

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against connect@3.7.0.

connect ships CommonJS only. require("connect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10.0. import "connect" 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("connect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import connect from "connect"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/connect

## Facts

- Latest: 3.7.0 (May 18, 2019)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.7.0
- TypeScript types: @types/connect
- Node engines: >= 0.10.0
- Weekly downloads: 17.7M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for connect@3.7.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import connect from "connect";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const connect = require("connect");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (232 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.24.3 – 3.7.0 | CommonJS | Aug 4, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is connect ESM-only?**

connect@3.7.0 is a CommonJS package. connect ships CommonJS only. require("connect") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10.0. import "connect" 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 connect with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import connect from "connect" 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 connect work in Bun?**

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

**Does connect ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/connect".

## Links

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

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