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

> inquirer@14.2.2 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 13.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 12.11.1.

A collection of common interactive command line user interfaces.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against inquirer@14.2.2.

inquirer dropped its CommonJS build in 13.0.0 (November 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 12.11.1, published Nov 12, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=18.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("inquirer") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Node.js 18 has no require(esm), and inquirer@14.2.2 declares Node.js >=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0, so 18 is outside its supported range anyway.

inquirer@14.2.2 declares engines ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0", so Node.js 18 is outside its supported range regardless of module format.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("inquirer") 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 inquirer = await import("inquirer"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install inquirer@12.11.1, the last CommonJS release (published Nov 12, 2025); it declares Node.js >=18.
4. inquirer@14.2.2 declares engines ">=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0", so Node.js 18 is unsupported regardless: upgrade Node.js or pin an older release.
5. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 14.2.2 (Sep 7, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 12.11.1
- ESM-only since: 13.0.0 (Nov 16, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: >=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0
- Weekly downloads: 32.9M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for inquirer@14.2.2

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

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

ES modules:

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

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 inquirer = require("inquirer");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const inquirer = await import("inquirer");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=18):
// npm install inquirer@12.11.1
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (240 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 13.0.0 – 14.2.2 | ESM-only | Nov 16, 2025 |
| 11.0.1 – 12.11.1 | Dual (CommonJS + ESM) | Sep 16, 2024 |

## Frequently asked

**Is inquirer ESM-only?**

inquirer@14.2.2 is ESM-only. inquirer dropped its CommonJS build in 13.0.0 (November 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 12.11.1, published Nov 12, 2025; it declares support for Node.js >=18.

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

12.11.1 is the last version of inquirer with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=18. Install it with "npm install inquirer@12.11.1". Every version from 13.0.0 on is ESM-only.

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

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const inquirer = await import("inquirer"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=23.5.0 || ^22.13.0 || ^20.17.0). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("inquirer") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin inquirer@12.11.1 (declares Node.js >=18).

**Does inquirer work in Bun?**

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

**Does inquirer ship TypeScript types?**

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

## Links

- [inquirer on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/inquirer)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/SBoudrias/Inquirer.js)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/inquirer/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/inquirer.json)

---

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