# Is grunt-contrib-watch ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> grunt-contrib-watch@1.1.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Run predefined tasks whenever watched file patterns are added, changed or deleted

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against grunt-contrib-watch@1.1.0.

grunt-contrib-watch ships CommonJS only. require("grunt-contrib-watch") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "grunt-contrib-watch" 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("grunt-contrib-watch") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import gruntContribWatch from "grunt-contrib-watch"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for grunt-contrib-watch; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 1.1.0 (May 13, 2018)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.1.0
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: >=0.10.0
- Weekly downloads: 454K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for grunt-contrib-watch@1.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("grunt-contrib-watch") | import "grunt-contrib-watch" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 grunt-contrib-watch

ES modules:

```js
import gruntContribWatch from "grunt-contrib-watch";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const gruntContribWatch = require("grunt-contrib-watch");
```

## 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 1.1.0 | CommonJS | Oct 15, 2012 |

## Frequently asked

**Is grunt-contrib-watch ESM-only?**

grunt-contrib-watch@1.1.0 is a CommonJS package. grunt-contrib-watch ships CommonJS only. require("grunt-contrib-watch") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=0.10.0. import "grunt-contrib-watch" 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 grunt-contrib-watch with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import gruntContribWatch from "grunt-contrib-watch" 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 grunt-contrib-watch work in Bun?**

Yes. import "grunt-contrib-watch" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does grunt-contrib-watch ship TypeScript types?**

No. grunt-contrib-watch ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

- [grunt-contrib-watch on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/grunt-contrib-watch)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/gruntjs/grunt-contrib-watch)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/grunt-contrib-watch/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/grunt-contrib-watch.json)

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