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

> estraverse@5.3.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

ECMAScript JS AST traversal functions

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against estraverse@5.3.0.

estraverse ships CommonJS only. require("estraverse") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.0. import "estraverse" 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("estraverse") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import estraverse from "estraverse"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/estraverse

## Facts

- Latest: 5.3.0 (Oct 25, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.3.0
- TypeScript types: @types/estraverse
- Node engines: >=4.0
- Weekly downloads: 158.3M
- License: BSD-2-Clause

## Runtime test results for estraverse@5.3.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import estraverse from "estraverse";
```

CommonJS:

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

## 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 – 5.3.0 | CommonJS | Oct 9, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is estraverse ESM-only?**

estraverse@5.3.0 is a CommonJS package. estraverse ships CommonJS only. require("estraverse") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=4.0. import "estraverse" 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 estraverse with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does estraverse ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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