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

> fs-extra@11.4.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

fs-extra contains methods that aren't included in the vanilla Node.js fs package. Such as recursive mkdir, copy, and remove.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against fs-extra@11.4.0.

fs-extra ships CommonJS only. require("fs-extra") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=14.14. import "fs-extra" 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("fs-extra") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=14.14.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import fsExtra from "fs-extra"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/fs-extra

## Facts

- Latest: 11.4.0 (Jul 23, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 11.4.0
- TypeScript types: @types/fs-extra
- Node engines: >=14.14
- Weekly downloads: 191.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for fs-extra@11.4.0

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

| Runtime | require("fs-extra") | import "fs-extra" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 fs-extra

ES modules:

```js
import fsExtra from "fs-extra";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const fsExtra = require("fs-extra");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (104 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.18.4 – 11.4.0 | CommonJS | May 22, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is fs-extra ESM-only?**

fs-extra@11.4.0 is a CommonJS package. fs-extra ships CommonJS only. require("fs-extra") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=14.14. import "fs-extra" 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 fs-extra with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import fsExtra from "fs-extra" 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 fs-extra work in Bun?**

Yes. import "fs-extra" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does fs-extra ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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