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

> doctrine@3.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

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Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against doctrine@3.0.0.

doctrine ships CommonJS only. require("doctrine") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.0.0. import "doctrine" 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("doctrine") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import doctrine from "doctrine"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/doctrine

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.0 (Nov 10, 2018)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/doctrine
- Node engines: >=6.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 112.0M
- License: Apache-2.0

## Runtime test results for doctrine@3.0.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import doctrine from "doctrine";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (33 versions; the newest 33 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.1 – 3.0.0 | CommonJS | May 10, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is doctrine ESM-only?**

doctrine@3.0.0 is a CommonJS package. doctrine ships CommonJS only. require("doctrine") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6.0.0. import "doctrine" 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 doctrine with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does doctrine ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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