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

> graceful-fs@4.2.11 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A drop-in replacement for fs, making various improvements.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against graceful-fs@4.2.11.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 4.2.11 (Mar 16, 2023)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 4.2.11
- TypeScript types: @types/graceful-fs
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 174.9M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for graceful-fs@4.2.11

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import gracefulFs from "graceful-fs";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const gracefulFs = require("graceful-fs");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (67 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.4 – 4.2.11 | CommonJS | Jan 19, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is graceful-fs ESM-only?**

graceful-fs@4.2.11 is a CommonJS package. graceful-fs ships CommonJS only. require("graceful-fs") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "graceful-fs" 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 graceful-fs with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import gracefulFs from "graceful-fs" 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 graceful-fs work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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