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

> import-local@3.2.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Let a globally installed package use a locally installed version of itself if available

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against import-local@3.2.0.

import-local ships CommonJS only. require("import-local") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8. import "import-local" 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("import-local") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import importLocal from "import-local"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 3.2.0 (Jul 22, 2024)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 3.2.0
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=8
- Weekly downloads: 34.0M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for import-local@3.2.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import importLocal from "import-local";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const importLocal = require("import-local");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (10 versions; the newest 10 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 – 3.2.0 | CommonJS | May 4, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is import-local ESM-only?**

import-local@3.2.0 is a CommonJS package. import-local ships CommonJS only. require("import-local") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=8. import "import-local" 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 import-local with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import importLocal from "import-local" 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 import-local work in Bun?**

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

**Does import-local ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

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

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