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Is import-fresh ESM-only? Can you require() it?

Import a module while bypassing the cache

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against import-fresh@4.0.0. Markdown · JSON

ESM-only ESM-only since 4.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 3.3.1

import-fresh dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (February 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.3.1, published Feb 2, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (import-fresh@4.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.15), require("import-fresh") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and import-fresh@4.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.15, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

import-fresh@4.0.0 declares engines ">=22.15", so Node.js 18, 20 are outside its supported range regardless of module format.

What to do

  1. On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (import-fresh@4.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.15), require("import-fresh") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
  2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const importFresh = await import("import-fresh"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.15).
  3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install import-fresh@3.3.1, the last CommonJS release (published Feb 2, 2025); it declares Node.js >=6.
  4. import-fresh@4.0.0 declares engines ">=22.15", so Node.js 18, 20 are unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
  5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.
Latest
4.0.0 (Feb 25, 2026)
Module format
ESM-only
Last CommonJS version
3.3.1
ESM-only since
4.0.0 (Feb 25, 2026)
TypeScript types
Bundled
Node engines
>=22.15
Weekly downloads
132.8M
License
MIT

Does import-fresh@4.0.0 actually load? Runtime test results

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

Runtimerequire("import-fresh")import "import-fresh"
Node.js 18✗ failsERR_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 import-fresh

ES modules (import)

import * as importFresh from "import-fresh";

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

CommonJS (require)

// Node.js 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const importFresh = require("import-fresh");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=22.15), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const importFresh = await import("import-fresh");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=6):
// npm install import-fresh@3.3.1

Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm, corrected where a runtime test of that version contradicted them (9 versions; the newest 9 shown).

VersionsFormatFirst published
4.0.0ESM-onlyFeb 25, 2026
2.0.0 – 3.3.1CommonJSMay 21, 2017

Frequently asked

Is import-fresh ESM-only?

import-fresh@4.0.0 is ESM-only. import-fresh dropped its CommonJS build in 4.0.0 (February 2026). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 3.3.1, published Feb 2, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=6.

Which version of import-fresh still supports CommonJS / require()?

3.3.1 is the last version of import-fresh with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=6. Install it with "npm install import-fresh@3.3.1". Every version from 4.0.0 on is ESM-only.

How do I use import-fresh from a CommonJS file?

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const importFresh = await import("import-fresh"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=22.15). On Node.js 22.12+ and newer (import-fresh@4.0.0 declares Node.js >=22.15), require("import-fresh") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin import-fresh@3.3.1 (declares Node.js >=6).

Does import-fresh work in Bun?

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

Does import-fresh ship TypeScript types?

Yes. import-fresh bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

Links

Other esm-only packages

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