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

> install@0.13.0 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

Minimal JavaScript module loader

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against install@0.13.0.

install ships CommonJS only. require("install") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10. import "install" 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("install") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import install from "install"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: no types are available for install; declare the module yourself if you need them.

## Facts

- Latest: 0.13.0 (Jul 3, 2019)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 0.13.0
- TypeScript types: none
- Node engines: >= 0.10
- Weekly downloads: 1.1M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for install@0.13.0

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

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

ES modules:

```js
import install from "install";
```

CommonJS:

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

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (64 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.5 – 0.13.0 | CommonJS | Feb 20, 2013 |

## Frequently asked

**Is install ESM-only?**

install@0.13.0 is a CommonJS package. install ships CommonJS only. require("install") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >= 0.10. import "install" 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 install with ES module syntax?**

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

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

**Does install ship TypeScript types?**

No. install ships no type declarations and there is no @types package for it.

## Links

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

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