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

> get-stream@9.0.1 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 7.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 6.0.1.

Get a stream as a string, Buffer, ArrayBuffer or array

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against get-stream@9.0.1.

get-stream dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (May 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.1, published Apr 15, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("get-stream") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("get-stream") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("get-stream") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const getStream = await import("get-stream"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install get-stream@6.0.1, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 15, 2021); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 9.0.1 (Mar 16, 2024)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 6.0.1
- ESM-only since: 7.0.0 (May 26, 2023)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 182.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for get-stream@9.0.1

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

| Runtime | require("get-stream") | import "get-stream" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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 get-stream

ES modules:

```js
import * as getStream from "get-stream";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const getStream = require("get-stream");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const getStream = await import("get-stream");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install get-stream@6.0.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (22 versions; the newest 22 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 7.0.0 – 9.0.1 | ESM-only | May 26, 2023 |
| 1.0.0 – 6.0.1 | CommonJS | Oct 14, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is get-stream ESM-only?**

get-stream@9.0.1 is ESM-only. get-stream dropped its CommonJS build in 7.0.0 (May 2023). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 6.0.1, published Apr 15, 2021; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of get-stream still supports CommonJS / require()?**

6.0.1 is the last version of get-stream with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install get-stream@6.0.1". Every version from 7.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use get-stream from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const getStream = await import("get-stream"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("get-stream") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin get-stream@6.0.1 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does get-stream work in Bun?**

Yes. import "get-stream" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does get-stream ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. get-stream bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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