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

> globals@17.12.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Global identifiers from different JavaScript environments

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against globals@17.12.0.

globals ships CommonJS only. require("globals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=18. import "globals" 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("globals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=18.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import globals from "globals"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 17.12.0 (Sep 1, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 17.12.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 230.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for globals@17.12.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import globals from "globals";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (142 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 13.2.0 – 17.12.0 | CommonJS | Aug 6, 2020 |

## Frequently asked

**Is globals ESM-only?**

globals@17.12.0 is a CommonJS package. globals ships CommonJS only. require("globals") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=18. import "globals" 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 globals with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does globals ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. globals bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

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

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