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

> http-server@14.1.1 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A simple zero-configuration command-line http server

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against http-server@14.1.1.

http-server ships CommonJS only. require("http-server") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=12. import "http-server" 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-server") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=12.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import httpServer from "http-server"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/http-server

## Facts

- Latest: 14.1.1 (May 31, 2022)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 14.1.1
- TypeScript types: @types/http-server
- Node engines: >=12
- Weekly downloads: 6.4M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for http-server@14.1.1

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import httpServer from "http-server";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const httpServer = require("http-server");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (49 versions; the newest 49 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 14.1.1 | CommonJS | Jun 17, 2011 |

## Frequently asked

**Is http-server ESM-only?**

http-server@14.1.1 is a CommonJS package. http-server ships CommonJS only. require("http-server") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=12. import "http-server" 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-server with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import httpServer from "http-server" 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-server work in Bun?**

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

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

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

## Links

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

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