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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. Markdown · 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 with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.0.7, published Jun 14, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^14.18.0 || ^16.10.0 || >=18.0.0.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 declares Node.js ^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0), require("http-proxy-middleware") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 declares Node.js ^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

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.

What to do

  1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 declares Node.js ^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0), require("http-proxy-middleware") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
  2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const httpProxyMiddleware = await import("http-proxy-middleware"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install http-proxy-middleware@3.0.7, the last CommonJS release (published Jun 14, 2026); it declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || ^16.10.0 || >=18.0.0.
  4. http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 declares engines "^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
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 1.4.0✓ works✓ works

How to import http-proxy-middleware

ES modules (import)

import * as httpProxyMiddleware from "http-proxy-middleware";

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const httpProxyMiddleware = require("http-proxy-middleware");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const httpProxyMiddleware = await import("http-proxy-middleware");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || ^16.10.0 || >=18.0.0):
// 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, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (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 with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.0.7, published Jun 14, 2026; it declares support for Node.js ^14.18.0 || ^16.10.0 || >=18.0.0.

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; it declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || ^16.10.0 || >=18.0.0. 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?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const httpProxyMiddleware = await import("http-proxy-middleware"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (http-proxy-middleware@4.2.0 declares Node.js ^22.15.0 || ^24.0.0 || >=26.0.0), require("http-proxy-middleware") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin http-proxy-middleware@3.0.7 (declares Node.js ^14.18.0 || ^16.10.0 || >=18.0.0).

Does http-proxy-middleware work in Bun?

Yes. import "http-proxy-middleware" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 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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