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

> ignore@7.0.9 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Ignore is a manager and filter for .gitignore rules, the one used by eslint, gitbook and many others.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against ignore@7.0.9.

ignore ships CommonJS only. require("ignore") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 4. import "ignore" 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("ignore") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 4.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import ignore from "ignore"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 7.0.9 (Sep 8, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.0.9
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >= 4
- Weekly downloads: 214.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for ignore@7.0.9

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

| Runtime | require("ignore") | import "ignore" |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ignore

ES modules:

```js
import ignore from "ignore";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const ignore = require("ignore");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (102 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2.4 – 7.0.9 | CommonJS | Feb 20, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is ignore ESM-only?**

ignore@7.0.9 is a CommonJS package. ignore ships CommonJS only. require("ignore") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 4. import "ignore" 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 ignore with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import ignore from "ignore" 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 ignore work in Bun?**

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

**Does ignore ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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