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

> husky@9.1.7 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 9.0.1 — last CommonJS version is 8.0.3.

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Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against husky@9.1.7.

husky dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.1 (January 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.0.3, published Jan 3, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=14.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("husky") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("husky") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("husky") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const husky = await import("husky"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install husky@8.0.3, the last CommonJS release (published Jan 3, 2023); it declares Node.js >=14.
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 9.1.7 (Nov 18, 2024)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 8.0.3
- ESM-only since: 9.0.1 (Jan 25, 2024)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=18
- Weekly downloads: 32.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for husky@9.1.7

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

| Runtime | require("husky") | import "husky" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | 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 husky

ES modules:

```js
import * as husky from "husky";
```

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

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const husky = require("husky");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=18), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const husky = await import("husky");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=14):
// npm install husky@8.0.3
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (144 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0.1 – 9.1.7 | ESM-only | Jan 25, 2024 |
| 4.1.0 – 8.0.3 | CommonJS | Jan 21, 2020 |

## Frequently asked

**Is husky ESM-only?**

husky@9.1.7 is ESM-only. husky dropped its CommonJS build in 9.0.1 (January 2024). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 8.0.3, published Jan 3, 2023; it declares support for Node.js >=14.

**Which version of husky still supports CommonJS / require()?**

8.0.3 is the last version of husky with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=14. Install it with "npm install husky@8.0.3". Every version from 9.0.1 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use husky from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const husky = await import("husky"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=18). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("husky") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin husky@8.0.3 (declares Node.js >=14).

**Does husky work in Bun?**

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

**Does husky ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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