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

> globby@16.2.4 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 12.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 11.1.0.

User-friendly glob matching

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against globby@16.2.4.

globby dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (July 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.1.0, published Jan 8, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("globby") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and globby@16.2.4 declares Node.js >=20, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

globby@16.2.4 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("globby") 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 globby = await import("globby"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install globby@11.1.0, the last CommonJS release (published Jan 8, 2022); it declares Node.js >=10.
4. globby@16.2.4 declares engines ">=20", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 16.2.4 (Aug 19, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 11.1.0
- ESM-only since: 12.0.0 (Jul 22, 2021)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=20
- Weekly downloads: 83.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for globby@16.2.4

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import * as globby from "globby";
```

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 globby = require("globby");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=20), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const globby = await import("globby");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=10):
// npm install globby@11.1.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (59 versions; the newest 59 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 12.0.0 – 16.2.4 | ESM-only | Jul 22, 2021 |
| 0.1.0 – 11.1.0 | CommonJS | Jun 21, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is globby ESM-only?**

globby@16.2.4 is ESM-only. globby dropped its CommonJS build in 12.0.0 (July 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 11.1.0, published Jan 8, 2022; it declares support for Node.js >=10.

**Which version of globby still supports CommonJS / require()?**

11.1.0 is the last version of globby with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=10. Install it with "npm install globby@11.1.0". Every version from 12.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use globby from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const globby = await import("globby"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=20). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("globby") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin globby@11.1.0 (declares Node.js >=10).

**Does globby work in Bun?**

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

**Does globby ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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