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

> gulp-babel@8.1.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26, fails on 18.

Use next generation JavaScript, today

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against gulp-babel@8.1.0.

gulp-babel ships CommonJS only. require("gulp-babel") works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26 but fails on Node.js 18 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM). The package declares Node.js >=6. import "gulp-babel" 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("gulp-babel") works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26 but fails on Node.js 18 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM). The package declares Node.js >=6.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import gulpBabel from "gulp-babel"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/gulp-babel

## Facts

- Latest: 8.1.0 (Jun 19, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 8.1.0
- TypeScript types: @types/gulp-babel
- Node engines: >=6
- Weekly downloads: 301K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for gulp-babel@8.1.0

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

| Runtime | require("gulp-babel") | import "gulp-babel" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) |
| 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 gulp-babel

ES modules:

```js
import gulpBabel from "gulp-babel";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const gulpBabel = require("gulp-babel");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (16 versions; the newest 16 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0.0 – 8.1.0 | CommonJS | Feb 15, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is gulp-babel ESM-only?**

gulp-babel@8.1.0 is a CommonJS package. gulp-babel ships CommonJS only. require("gulp-babel") works on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26 but fails on Node.js 18 (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM). The package declares Node.js >=6. import "gulp-babel" 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 gulp-babel with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import gulpBabel from "gulp-babel" 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 gulp-babel work in Bun?**

Yes. import "gulp-babel" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does gulp-babel ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/gulp-babel".

## Links

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

---

For scripts and AI agents: any package is at https://canirequire.com/package/<name>/index.md (Markdown) or https://canirequire.com/package/<name>.json (JSON); the site index is https://canirequire.com/llms.txt. Fetch the URL directly; no search needed.