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

> gulp-less@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Less for Gulp

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against gulp-less@5.0.0.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.0 (Jun 16, 2021)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.0
- TypeScript types: @types/gulp-less
- Node engines: >=6
- Weekly downloads: 152K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for gulp-less@5.0.0

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

| Runtime | require("gulp-less") | import "gulp-less" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 gulp-less

ES modules:

```js
import gulpLess from "gulp-less";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const gulpLess = require("gulp-less");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (51 versions; the newest 51 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0.0 – 5.0.0 | CommonJS | Jul 8, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is gulp-less ESM-only?**

gulp-less@5.0.0 is a CommonJS package. gulp-less ships CommonJS only. require("gulp-less") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=6. import "gulp-less" 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-less with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import gulpLess from "gulp-less" 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-less work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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