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

> cross-spawn@7.0.6 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Cross platform child_process#spawn and child_process#spawnSync

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against cross-spawn@7.0.6.

cross-spawn ships CommonJS only. require("cross-spawn") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8. import "cross-spawn" 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("cross-spawn") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import crossSpawn from "cross-spawn"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/cross-spawn

## Facts

- Latest: 7.0.6 (Nov 18, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.0.6
- TypeScript types: @types/cross-spawn
- Node engines: >= 8
- Weekly downloads: 212.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for cross-spawn@7.0.6

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

| Runtime | require("cross-spawn") | import "cross-spawn" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 cross-spawn

ES modules:

```js
import crossSpawn from "cross-spawn";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const crossSpawn = require("cross-spawn");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (58 versions; the newest 58 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 7.0.6 | CommonJS | Jun 30, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is cross-spawn ESM-only?**

cross-spawn@7.0.6 is a CommonJS package. cross-spawn ships CommonJS only. require("cross-spawn") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 8. import "cross-spawn" 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 cross-spawn with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import crossSpawn from "cross-spawn" 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 cross-spawn work in Bun?**

Yes. import "cross-spawn" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does cross-spawn ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [cross-spawn on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/cross-spawn)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/moxystudio/node-cross-spawn)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/cross-spawn/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/cross-spawn.json)

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