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Is http-proxy-middleware ESM-only? Can you require() it?

The one-liner node.js proxy middleware for connect, express, next.js and more

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0. JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.0.7

http-proxy-middleware dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (May 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 3.0.7, published Jun 14, 2026.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and every newer release, require("http-proxy-middleware") works anyway: Node can load synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node 22, 24, 26. Node.js 18 and older still fail with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 declares engines "^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

Latest
4.2.0 (Jul 4, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
3.0.7
ESM-only since
4.0.0 (May 5, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0
Weekly downloads
22.7M
License
MIT

Does http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("http-proxy-middleware")import "http-proxy-middleware"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_REQUIRE_ESM✗ failsSyntaxError
Node.js 20✓ works✓ works
Node.js 22✓ works✓ works
Node.js 24✓ works✓ works
Node.js 26✓ works✓ works
Bun 1.4✓ works✓ works

How to import http-proxy-middleware

ES modules (import)

import httpProxyMiddleware from "http-proxy-middleware";

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 20.19+ / 22.12+ / newer (package has no top-level await):
const httpProxyMiddleware = require("http-proxy-middleware");

// Any Node.js version:
const httpProxyMiddleware = await import("http-proxy-middleware");

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install http-proxy-middleware@3.0.7

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (76 versions; the newest 60 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
4.0.0 – 4.2.0ESM-onlyMay 5, 2026
0.8.2 – 3.0.7CommonJSSep 23, 2015

Frequently asked

Is http-proxy-middleware ESM-only?

http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 is ESM-only. http-proxy-middleware dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (May 2026). The last version you can require() on every Node.js version, including 18 and older, is 3.0.7, published Jun 14, 2026.

Which version of http-proxy-middleware still supports CommonJS / require()?

3.0.7 is the last version of http-proxy-middleware with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install http-proxy-middleware@3.0.7". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use http-proxy-middleware from a CommonJS file?

Use a dynamic import: const mod = await import("http-proxy-middleware"). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, a plain require("http-proxy-middleware") also works for ESM packages that do not use top-level await. Alternatively pin http-proxy-middleware@3.0.7.

Does http-proxy-middleware work in Bun?

Yes. import "http-proxy-middleware" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4 on Sep 9, 2026.

Does http-proxy-middleware ship TypeScript types?

Yes. http-proxy-middleware bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

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