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

> gulp-watch@5.0.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Watch, that actually is an endless stream

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against gulp-watch@5.0.1.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 5.0.1 (Jul 23, 2018)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.0.1
- TypeScript types: @types/gulp-watch
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 139K
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for gulp-watch@5.0.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import gulpWatch from "gulp-watch";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const gulpWatch = require("gulp-watch");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (81 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4.0 – 5.0.1 | CommonJS | Jan 12, 2014 |

## Frequently asked

**Is gulp-watch ESM-only?**

gulp-watch@5.0.1 is a CommonJS package. gulp-watch ships CommonJS only. require("gulp-watch") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "gulp-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 gulp-watch with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import gulpWatch from "gulp-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 gulp-watch work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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