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

> http-proxy@1.18.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

HTTP proxying for the masses

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against http-proxy@1.18.1.

http-proxy ships CommonJS only. require("http-proxy") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.0.0. import "http-proxy" 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("http-proxy") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.0.0.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import httpProxy from "http-proxy"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/http-proxy

## Facts

- Latest: 1.18.1 (May 17, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 1.18.1
- TypeScript types: @types/http-proxy
- Node engines: >=8.0.0
- Weekly downloads: 17.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for http-proxy@1.18.1

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

| Runtime | require("http-proxy") | import "http-proxy" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 http-proxy

ES modules:

```js
import httpProxy from "http-proxy";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const httpProxy = require("http-proxy");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (85 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10.0 – 1.18.1 | CommonJS | Mar 18, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is http-proxy ESM-only?**

http-proxy@1.18.1 is a CommonJS package. http-proxy ships CommonJS only. require("http-proxy") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.0.0. import "http-proxy" 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 http-proxy with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import httpProxy from "http-proxy" 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 http-proxy work in Bun?**

Yes. import "http-proxy" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does http-proxy ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/http-proxy".

## Links

- [http-proxy on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/http-proxy)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/http-party/node-http-proxy)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/http-proxy/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/http-proxy.json)

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