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

> history@5.3.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Manage session history with JavaScript

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against history@5.3.0.

history ships CommonJS only. require("history") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "history" 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.

It also declares a "module" field, so bundlers such as webpack, Vite and esbuild pick up an ESM build for tree-shaking.

## What to do

1. require("history") 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 history from "history"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 5.3.0 (Feb 22, 2022)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 5.3.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 10.2M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for history@5.3.0

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

| Runtime | require("history") | import "history" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 history

ES modules:

```js
import history from "history";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const history = require("history");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (79 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8.4 – 5.3.0 | CommonJS | Aug 31, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is history ESM-only?**

history@5.3.0 is a CommonJS package. history ships CommonJS only. require("history") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "history" 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 history with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import history from "history" 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 history work in Bun?**

Yes. import "history" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does history ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. history bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [history on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/history)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/remix-run/history)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/history/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/history.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.