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

> immediate@3.3.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

A cross browser microtask library

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against immediate@3.3.0.

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

## Facts

- Latest: 3.3.0 (Jun 9, 2020)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.3.0
- TypeScript types: @types/immediate
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 35.8M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for immediate@3.3.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import immediate from "immediate";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (31 versions; the newest 31 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0.1 – 3.3.0 | CommonJS | Sep 17, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is immediate ESM-only?**

immediate@3.3.0 is a CommonJS package. immediate ships CommonJS only. require("immediate") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. import "immediate" 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 immediate with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does immediate ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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